UK consumers warned about unsafe travel adaptors sold online
Consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) tested 14 travel adaptors purchased from AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay and TikTok Shop. All 14 devices failed to meet UK safety requirements, with several posing a risk of serious electric shock or electrocution. ESF estimates that more than 10,000 unsafe adaptors may already have been sold to UK shoppers.
The tests showed that six of eight universal adaptors could expose multiple live pins simultaneously, allowing users to come into contact with up to 240 volts. All eight universal units failed dimensional and mechanical‑strength standards, meaning pins could break off inside a socket. Six basic adaptors also failed safety checks, missing protective shutters, fuses and having oversized pin holes, increasing fire and shock hazards.
Online platforms – AliExpress, Amazon, eBay and TikTok – said they had removed the flagged products and emphasized product‑safety policies. ESF product‑safety engineer Giuseppe Capanna urged travellers to buy adaptors only from reputable retailers to avoid the danger.
Entities: AliExpress · Amazon Marketplace · Electrical Safety First · Giuseppe Capanna · eBay
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] All 14 devices failed to meet UK safety requirements. (Electrical Safety First test results)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards recalled one travel adaptor and rejected another import due to fire risk. (Office for Product Safety and Standards alert)
- [● 2 SOURCES] AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay and TikTok removed the flagged products after being notified. (Statements from the online marketplaces)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Six of eight universal travel adaptors allowed multiple plug pins to be exposed simultaneously. (Electrical Safety First testing)
- [● 3 SOURCES] All eight universal adaptors failed required dimensions and mechanical strength, risking pin breakage. (Electrical Safety First testing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 10,000 unsafe adaptors may already have been sold to UK shoppers. (Electrical Safety First estimate)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The adaptors could expose users to risk of serious electric shock or electrocution. (Electrical Safety First warning)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Electrical Safety First tested 14 travel adaptors purchased from AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay and TikTok Shop. (Electrical Safety First investigation)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 10,000 unsafe travel adaptors may have already been sold to UK shoppers. (Electrical Safety First estimate)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Six of eight universal adaptors could expose multiple live pins simultaneously, up to 240 volts. (Electrical Safety First test results)
- [● 3 SOURCES] AliExpress, Amazon, eBay and TikTok removed the flagged adaptors from sale. (Statements from the online platforms)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Electrical Safety First urged UK travellers to buy adaptors only from reputable retailers. (Giuseppe Capanna, product‑safety engineer at ESF)