Products put to the test...

As part of our ongoing product testing programme, we arranged last year for electrical safety assessments to be carried out on a selection of toasters, air fresheners, night lights, outdoor grills and outdoor lighting products under the general provisions of the relevant safety standards. All of the products tested were bought from high street retailers.

The same checks were carried out on each product in accordance with the relevant product standards. In particular we were inspecting and testing for:

  • Functionality

  • Marking and instructions

  • Protection against access to live parts

  • Leakage current and electric strength

  • Stability and mechanical hazards

  • Mechanical strength

  • Construction

  • Internal wiring

  • Supply and connection and external flexible cords

  • Provision for earthing

  • Clearances, creepage distances and solid insulation

  • Ejector mechanisms (for toasters only)

 

The products

Toasters

Toasters were selected because cooking appliances can pose a high risk to consumers, and there are many available on the market at very low cost.

Of the six toasters tested, only one was found to be non-compliant with the product standard in that it did not have adequate protection against access to live parts.

To view the full report please click on the following link: Toasters - Report

General advice for the safe use of toasters

  • Read carefully all instructions and warnings provided with the product

  • Bread may jam in the toaster and burn. Therefore, it should not be used near or below combustible items such as curtains and kitchen cupboards

  • Ensure that the toasters plug is removed from the socket-outlet before cleaning and maintenance operations

  • Use the toaster only in the upright position, as stated in the manufacturer's instruction manual

  • Do not attempt to clear obstructions in the bread slots using a knife or similar utensil

 

Plug-in air fresheners

Plug-in air fresheners were selected due to concerns raised over their potential to be a fire hazard. Two of the samples failed safety screening due to the absence of appropriate warnings in the user instruction manuals, and one sample failed to provide adequate mechanical strength to prevent access to live parts.

To view the full report please use the following link: Plug-in air fresheners- Report

General advice for the safe use of plug-in air fresheners

  • Read carefully all instructions and warnings provided with the product

  • Ensure that the product is installed as per the manufacturer's instructions. For example, the product may be inserted into a trailing socket and therefore in a horizontal position rather than a vertical position as intended. Installing in a horizontal position might increase the risk of liquid leakage onto internal live parts. Under certain circumstances the liquid might compromise the electrical insulation resulting in a potentially hazardous condition

  • Ensure that the product is used only with the recommended vaporizing solution

  • Be aware that the product has hot surfaces to evaporate the active ingredients and these surfaces should not be touched during normal conditions of use

 

Outdoor Electric Grills

Outdoor electric grills were selected because they are a seasonal product that are likely to be used frequently during the summer (weather permitting!). Classification and marking departures were found for three of the samples.

To view the full report please use the following link: Outdoor electric grills - Report

General advice for the safe use of outdoor electric grills

  • Read carefully all instructions and warnings carefully

  • Ensure that the product is marked IPX4 (Protection against splashed water)

  • Do not locate any part of the product outdoors, if it is designated for "indoor use" only

  • Ensure that the product is placed on a level surface where appropriate

  • If the product is designated for "outdoor use", ensure that the product is supplied through a residual current device (RCD) having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA.

 

Outdoor lighting

Outdoor lighting products were selected for screening because they are used in areas of increased shock risk such as gardens, patios, decking and the like. Departures from the standard marking requirements were found for four of the six samples tested.

To view the full report please use the following link: Outdoor lighting - Report

General advice for the safe use of outdoor lighting

  • Read carefully all instructions and warnings provided with the product

  • Ensure that the product is installed as per the manufacturer's instructions. For example, the plug/transformer should be installed indoors in an appropriate socket-outlet. Particular care should be given to the avoidance of water accumulation and mounting on potentially flammable surfaces

  • Ensure the product is used only with the recommended replacement and transformer, where applicable

 

Plug-in night lights

This type of product was selected for testing following concerns raised by Trading Standards over potentially dangerous plug-in nightlights. In a case reported last year, a child suffered severe electrical burns from a nightlight that fractured in use, exposing live elements of the lamp. There has also been a product recall of a particular type of nightlight due to plug pins breaking off in use.

Our investigations revealed that five of the six samples tested failed to meet the requirements for marking and/or construction given in the relevant product standard. Problems found included the absence of fuses to provide overcurrent protection, products being shaped or decorated such that they are likely to be treated as a toy by children, incorrect plug dimensions and marking omissions.

To view the full report please use the following link: Plug-in nightlight - Report

General advice for the safe use of plug-in nightlights

  • Read carefully all instructions and warnings provided with the product

  • Ensure that the product is installed as per the manufacturer's instructions. For example, it may be advisable to avoid mounting in a trailing socket-outlet

  • Ensure that the nightlight is removed from the socket before attempting bulb replacement and use replacement bulbs recommended by the manufacturer

  • Some nightlights may have features that appeal to children. Further consideration should therefore be given to the location of such products where they might be treated as a toy by children

What are we doing

We are following up all the identified failures, as products that are available to the public should comply with the relevant product standards and statutory Regulations in all respects. To this end, we are liaising with the retailers and manufacturers concerned, and will ensure that the relevant authorities informed of our actions at all times.

Anyone who believes they have purchased an unsafe electrical product should contact their local authority trading standards department in the first instance. However, we would also like to hear from anyone regarding any general concerns about the safety of electrical products.

Please send details to: productsafety@electricalsafetycouncil.org.uk