The festive period is one of the most wonderful times of the year, but it can also be one of the costliest. When searching for gifts within budget, it can be easy to fall for deals that end up being too good to be true.
To support consumers at this busy time of year, the charity Electrical Safety First, provides excellent guidance on how to spot sub-standard electrical products. Their expert tips ensure that our money and loved ones are kept safe over the Christmas period.
ESF remind us to be mindful of the influx of poor-quality products which are made available online for implausibly low prices. However, some counterfeiters mirror the cost of the genuine product to reduce suspicion from a consumer. This makes these imitation products even harder to spot from their cost alone.
However, there are other factors that potential consumers can check before committing to purchasing a product. Before buying, cross reference the photos provided by the seller with other examples to ensure that the product and its packaging look genuine.
Additional information should be provided, like the name of the manufacturers; this should be provided alongside product guarantees to ensure the product you are purchasing has a traceable origin.
According to ESF, “the average success rate of an electrical product recall in the UK is just 10-20%”. Consequently, due to a lack of awareness from the consumer, there are a significant number of appliances in UK homes which have been deemed unsafe.
The common culprits of these recalls are everyday items like white goods, electrical leads, small kitchen appliances and haircare appliances.
When you receive electrical orders, always check that a genuine set of instructions and guarantee are included with the appliance. Also check the condition of the appliance, including any plugs to ensure they are fitted with a fuse and meet the UK safety standards.
If you begin to use the appliance and any of the following happens, you must stop using the product straight away. Switch the product off and unplug it from the socket immediately if the product works sporadically, is hot to the touch or you can see smoke or smell burning.
Unregulated appliances can cause significant risk to life in cases of malfunction or an electrical fire. If you purchase any electrical items over the festive period, be sure to check these thoroughly before and during use. If you are unhappy with a product, check the returns policy or contact Citizens Advice or your local Trading Standards for support.
Have a safe and happy Christmas from all at BMS!
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