Wiganers warned about dangerous electrical goods when shopping online

Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue is showing her support for Electrical Fire Safety Week by reminding residents of the need to be vigilant to make sure they do not end up buying dodgy goods while shops are shut due to lockdown.
Yvonne Fovargue MPYvonne Fovargue MP
Yvonne Fovargue MP

Electrical Safety First, a consumer charity, has found dangerous electrical products, which present a serious fire risk, easily available from third party sellers in online marketplaces in numerous investigations it has conducted.

Ms Fovargue said: “Electrical Safety First’s research has shown that 57 per cent of those in the North West are planning to use online marketplaces for their shopping this Christmas, with 46 per cent saying they’ll be using them more than usual.

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“This is essentially because people believe these websites are a safer way of shopping than going to the High Street during the pandemic.

“But this confidence is not supported by the charity’s investigations, which have repeatedly found unsafe electricals for sale online, including on Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Wish.com.

“I’m urging my constituents to reduce their chances of buying dangerous electricals by sticking to the stores or websites of known manufacturers and retailers and to beware of buying from third party sellers on these platforms.

“We all love a bargain, and Christmas is always expensive! But with almost half of all domestic fires in UK homes caused by electricity – and most arising from electrical products – this is a risk you don’t want to take.”

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Electrical Safety First’s research indicates that 22 per cent of shoppers in the North West are planning to buy an electrical item as a gift this Christmas, higher than the national average of 20 per cent.

However, the charity has previously found that, in the UK, three out of five fake electricals are purchased online, with a third of buyers experiencing major problems with the item.

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