It’s that time of year, Black Friday sales! Ensure your safety is as important as your savings!
Many people see cheap electrical goods as a bargain but if the product does turn out to be fake these goods are, at best, a waste of money. At worst, they could result in a house fire, severe injury or even the death of a loved one. The increase in the popularity of online shopping makes it even easier for dodgy goods to slip through the net.
The best way to protect yourself from substandard and counterfeit goods is to buy your electrical products from reputable retailers, on the high street or via their websites.
Every year around 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes are caused by faulty electrics and electrical equipment. And nearly nine out of ten electrical fires are caused by products, either through misuse or faults.
Here are a few things to look out for this Black Friday when buying electrical products!
Top fire safety tips!
1. Check the voltage of the products is 230V, 50Hz and that they are fitted with a 3-pin UK plug/charger
2. Look for the seller’s contact details
3. Avoid buying second-hand electrical products, especially if warranty/guarantee has run out
4. Do a price check, if it looks too good to be true, chances are it probably is!
Use online review websites to find out about product and sellers
5. Read the product guarantees, sellers’ terms and conditions, returns policies etc
6. Check the site is a member of online retail accrediting body, such as ISIS
7. Keep records of all purchases
DON’T FALL FOR FAKE
Before you buy, check:
• Is the item much cheaper than expected?
• Do website photos of the product look genuine?
• Does the site offer information about instructions and guarantees?
• Are the manufacturer’s contact details, and/or the products country of origin?
Buying second-hand goods:
If you must buy second-hand electrical products, try to buy from a business seller you know and trust. You still have some legal protection, as businesses selling second-hand electrical goods must ensure that the product meets legal safety requirements and is correctly labelled.