3rd December 2015 THOUSANDS OF UNSAFE ‘HOVERBOARDS’ DETAINED IN UK OVER PAST SEVEN WEEKS
More than 17,000 self-balancing scooters – or ‘hoverboards’– have been examined at UK points of entry since 15th October due to safety concerns. Of these, over 15,000 (or 88%) have been assessed as unsafe and have been detained at the border. There has been a huge spike in the number of these items arriving in recent weeks, destined to end up as gifts under the tree this Christmas. Trading Standards authorities have detained the boards – a ‘must-have’ on Christmas lists this year – due to a range of concerns, such as safety issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery or the cut-off switch within the board, which often fails. Many of the items detained and sent for testing have been found to have non-compliant plugs without fuses, which increases the risk of the device overheating, exploding or catching fire. Products that have been tested have failed with significant safety issues and over 15,000 products detained have identical or very similar features to those already deemed as unsafe. With such large numbers being sent for testing since October many testing houses are full to capacity and additional staff training is underway to help meet the demand. In recent months these faults have caused extensive damage to people’s property and the OFT is urging consumers to be vigilant this Christmas and avoid putting households at risk with unsafe products. Whether you already own one of these products or are considering purchasing one this Christmas, the OFT is offering the following top tips:-
Criminals and irresponsible manufacturers will often exploit high demand and attempt to flood the market with cheap and dangerous products. Consumers should not let a new fashion or craze cloud their judgement and remain vigilant at all times, to avoid taking home an unsafe product. Some products that are made abroad are not fitted with the correct plug and fuse for use in the UK. A spokesperson for Trading Standards in the UK has advised: As a minimum consumers should check that the three pin plug on the device states it is made to BS 1363. If it doesn’t include this information, then don’t buy the product.” John Peet, Chief Inspector of Trading Standards at the OFT, said: “The authorities in the UK have taken appropriate action to prevent thousands of unsafe ‘hoverboards’ entering the marketplace but consumers can also play their part by following the advice offered above. We are aware of ‘hoverboards’ being offered for sale via local social media sites. Our advice is not to purchase goods from such sites unless you know for certain who the seller is. With regard to enforcement, traceability is the key. If you know who you purchased goods from it makes it easier for us to establish who is in the supply chain. Whilst the advice offered above applies to ‘hoverboards’, it could equally apply to other electrical products and accessories. For example, there have been problems with chargers for mobile phones and e-cigarettes. Consumers should only purchase electrical products and accessories from reputable sources to avoid the risk of buying counterfeit and potentially dangerous products. Genuine electrical products and accessories will generally be packaged with safety instructions. Check any text on the packaging or on the items themselves for misspellings. What looks like a bargain could actually be a potential death trap. Anyone who thinks they have purchased counterfeit or potentially dangerous electrical products or electrical accessories should report the matter to the OFT without delay. With regard to the safety concerns surrounding ‘hoverboards’, enforcement officers are visiting local retailers to carry out checks.”
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