Holidaymakers have been urged to check their travel adaptors after a safety investigation uncovered highly dangerous products being sold on some of the UK's biggest online shopping sites. Consumer charity Electrical Safety First tested 14 travel adaptors bought from AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay and TikTok Shop and found that every single one failed essential safety checks.
The charity warned that information on online listings suggests more than 10,000 of the potentially unsafe adaptors may already have been purchased across the UK.
Universal adaptors pose electric shock risk
Among the most alarming findings were universal travel adaptors that could leave more than one set of plug pins exposed and live while plugged into a socket. Six of the eight universal adaptors tested failed in this way, meaning users could come into contact with up to 240 volts of electricity. The charity warned that this creates a serious risk of electric shock, with potential for fatal consequences in worst-case scenarios, such as if someone touched the exposed pins with wet hands.
Every universal adaptor tested also failed mechanical strength requirements, raising concerns that plug pins could snap off inside a socket. Anyone attempting to remove a broken pin could be exposed to a dangerous electric shock. To assess performance in overheating, four universal and two basic adaptors underwent specialist laboratory testing for fire resistance and flammability. All six plugs failed the test.
Charity urges caution when buying
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, explained: "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."
Online retailers remove products
Following the investigation, the online retailers removed the products identified by the charity. A spokesperson for AliExpress stated: "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."
An eBay spokesperson confirmed: "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 spokesperson said: “The products identified have been removed from sale.” Meanwhile, TikTok also removed the listings brought up by the charity.
CAA comment
Andrew McConnell, spokesman for the UK Civil Aviation Authority, stated: "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."
