EXPERTS have warned Brits to check presents they give and receive aren’t dangerous over fears last minute electrical gifts might be unsafe.
Professionals from the Electrical Safety First charity have issued a stark list of tell-tale signs that gifts for your loved one might be unsafe – and capable of causing a serious fire.
This is especially the case if buying online from third party sellers instead of reputable retailers.
They say the first red flag to look out for is the plug.
“Electronic gifts are some of the most popular buys to put under the tree, but they can also pose the biggest risk if they are unsafe,” Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First told The Sun.
“With any electrical gadget, the biggest clue something is seriously wrong starts with the plug.
“Beware clover leaf-shaped plugs, often sold via online marketplaces.”
The reason these are dangerous is because they “almost never” come with a fuse.
And a plug without a fuse can pose a serious risk of a fire if a fault occurs with your gadget, as it can’t cut out effectively, leaving the cable at risk of overheating and catching fire.
These type of plugs also do not meet the dimensions required of them to be legally sold to you in the UK.
But there are other signs to look out for that could indicate dangerous goods too.
If there’s no instructions or user manual it’s an indication that due care has not been taken before that product has been sold to you – and could therefore reflect badly on the quality of the product.
And if there is a manual, do look out for persistent spelling mistakes or grammatical errors – and on the product packaging as well.
This is a red flag that it may not come from a reputable seller or manufacturer who would ensure instruction manuals are clear and accurate.
And Electrical Safety First says gifts that arrive with a foreign plug and a UK travel adaptor should not be used.
Manufacturers selling into the UK must ensure any electronic device is fitted with a compliant UK plug and it may be an indication that care has not been taken throughout the manufacturing process of the product more widely.
“Online bargains may seem appealing to many last-minute Christmas shoppers but take the time to check the gadget you’re about to gift doesn’t put someone you love at risk,” Luke continues.
“Electrical gadgets can be great gifts at Christmas, but third-party sellers online are increasingly cutting corners to part you with your hard-earned cash in exchange for a product that may risk electric shock or fire.
“Stick to a reputable high street retailer you know and trust, they would have done much of the hard work for you by ensuring that only safe and compliant gadgets are available for you to put under the tree.”
The Sun’s Reader’s Champion Mel Hunter explains where you stand.
If a purchase goes wrong, you are entitled to your money back.
The Consumer Rights Act states that goods you pay for should be of satisfactory quality, as described, fit for purpose and last a reasonable length of time.
If they fail any of those tests, it’s tempting to head straight to the manufacturer. But responsibility lies with the shop you bought them from. Don’t be fobbed off.
You may find retail staff either don’t know the rules or don’t apply them, so go in armed with your rights.
You only have 30 days to reject something faulty and get your money back.
After that, the retailer has the option of repairing the item.
There is no automatic right to return something to a shop if you have simply changed your mind.
In practice, though, many stores do have a returns policy, where you can take back your buy within a specific timeframe.
Whether they offer a refund, exchange or voucher is entirely up to the retailer. It’s different if you bought it online.
Then, you automatically have 14 days from when the goods were delivered to return the product for a full refund.
If you opt for click-and-collect, you have the same rights as anyone buying on the internet.
What about if your parcel failed to arrive?
When the problem first arises, it might save you time to contact the delivery firm to see if they can find out where your missing item might be.
But it’s always the retailer’s responsibility to get your goods to you, so insist they sort it out.
