02/09/2010

ECS warns of electrical safety threat in Glasgow

The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) is warning people in Glasgow about the dangers of buying counterfeit electrical goods, following reports from Glasgow City Council that hundreds of counterfeit GHD hair straighteners are on sale in the city:

Counterfeit goods are often substandard and of poor quality - they can cause much more damage than just a mild electric shock. Fake or substandard electrical products, such as hair straighteners, can put you, your family and your home at serious risk of fires, electric shock and even death by electrocution.

Commented Steve Curtler, Product Safety Manager at the ESC: "With 44% of all accidental fires in UK homes arising from faults or misuse of electrical goods, we are very concerned for the safety of anyone in Glasgow who has bought and is using any sort of counterfeit electrical goods.

"You may think you've picked up a bargain, but if it's counterfeit it's most likely that the product is a cheap copy, of poor quality, which has the potential to harm you and your loved ones. If you think the product you've bough is dangerous to use, or a fake copy, stop using it immediately and contact your local trading standards office or Consumer Direct."

The ESC advises you to make sure that you have bought the genuine article by checking whether the packaging looks genuine (does it also contain instructions and a guarantee?); whether there is any damage; and whether the item has a UK plug. Also, ensure that it is in good condition with the right size pins and properly attached to the cord, check whether the product isn't working properly or doesn't work all of the time, and whether the outer casing is too hot to touch (or smoking or issuing a burning smell).

Call the ESC helpline on 0870 040 0561 or go to www.esc.org.uk Alternatively, order a copy of the 'Safe Shoppers Guide' at www.escsafeshoppersguide.org.uk

Electrical Safety Council (ESC)Helpline: 0870 040 0561 Web: www.esc.org.uk