Electrical Safety First has issued a warning to Brits going abroad this summer after finding a number of 'highly dangerous' travel adaptors for sale on major online marketplaces, including eBay, Amazon Marketplace and TikTok Shop.
Failing Safety Tests
The charity found that 14 devices being sold to UK consumers from Ali Express, eBay, Amazon Marketplace and TikTok Shop failed basic safety tests. Information available on the listings suggested more than 10,000 of the unsafe adaptors may have already been sold to UK shoppers.
In six of eight tested universal travel adaptors, more than one set of plug pins could be exposed and live at the same time while the adaptor was plugged in, meaning users could come into contact with up to 240 volts of electricity. The charity warned that in the most serious consequences, the fault could be fatal, such as if someone with wet hands touched the pins.
Mechanical and Dimensional Failures
The plug pins on all eight universal travel adaptors failed to meet dimensional and mechanical strength requirements, meaning they could break off inside a socket. If a user instinctively tried to remove the broken pin, they could be exposed to a serious risk of electric shock.
Six basic travel adaptors failed various safety tests, including: some missing safety shutters, missing fuses, oversized plug pin holes, and devices that accepted three-pin plugs without providing an earth connection.
Fire Resistance Tests Failed
Four universal and two basic travel adaptors underwent further testing in an external specialist laboratory to assess fire resistance and flammability. All six samples failed this test.
Warning from Electrical Safety First
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: "Shopping for your holiday getaway should be an enjoyable experience, not one that puts you at serious risk. Shoppers in the UK shouldn’t have to question whether the products they buy might put them at risk, yet our investigation shows that dangerous electrical goods are still finding their way into people’s homes through online marketplaces."
"What looks like a bargain could come at a much higher cost. We urge Brits heading abroad this summer to think before they buy and only purchase travel adaptors from reputable retailers they know and trust, so they can travel with confidence and avoid taking a potentially dangerous device away with them."
Responses from Online Marketplaces
A spokeswoman for AliExpress said: "We have removed the three travel adapter listings identified by Electrical Safety First and are contacting affected customers to initiate a recall through our established channels. We have also launched a wider review of universal travel adapter listings where all plug pins are shown extended at the same time. Any listing with this unsafe characteristic will be restricted from sale until the seller takes corrective action."
A spokeswoman for eBay said: "We have removed the listings identified by Electrical Safety First and we’re carrying out wider checks to find and remove any similar listings."
An Amazon spokesman said: "The products identified have been removed from sale." TikTok also removed the listings.
Andrew McConnell, spokesman for the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: "The findings by Electrical Safety First are a useful reminder that travellers should take care when buying electrical products and accessories for use on holiday. Whether it’s a travel adaptor, power bank or vape, using trusted products and following guidance can help reduce safety risks."
