CCPC issues summer safety warning about travel adaptors
May 17, 2023
- Consumers warned of unsafe travel adaptors and danger of misuse
- 7,262 travel adaptors recalled and 6,245 units withdrawn from sale following CCPC product testing
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is advising holiday makers to exercise caution when using travel adaptors to plug in electrical products. The advice is issued following the recall of thousands of travel adaptors by the CCPC as part of a large-scale product safety investigation.
A number of safety concerns were identified by CCPC experts during testing of travel adaptors, including:
- Incorrect information on packaging
- Risk of fire
- Risk of electrocution
The CCPC testing was conducted as part of a Europe-wide safety investigation into travel adaptors.
Gráinne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications, said
“Travel adaptors can be a particularly risky product for consumers because even when an individual product is compliant, if it’s used incorrectly then it becomes unsafe. Don’t use adaptors to plug in always-on items or extension leads as this can cause a fire. Travel adaptors are designed for short-term use only and should be unplugged when not in use.
The CCPC is continuing to engage with suppliers and other EU product safety bodies to prevent unsafe products from reaching retailers and consumers.”
Tips for safe use of travel adaptors
Travel adaptors are high-risk electrical products so it is important that consumers take extra caution and understand how to safely use them.
The CCPC is encouraging all consumers to be safety aware this summer and to follow these tips when using a travel adaptor:
- Use only in the countries listed on the product, its packaging or accompanying safety information.
- Always plug the appliance into the travel adaptor first, before inserting the travel adaptor into the socket.
- Don’t overload the adaptor: it’s designed for short-term use only, with low energy consumption devices, not as a replacement for a domestic socket.
- Unplug the adaptor when you’re finished using it, when you’re leaving the house or your accommodation, and when you’re going to sleep.
Recalled products:
G&BL Universal Multitravel Adapter sold in Harvey Norman
Homesafe Universal USB Travel Adaptor sold by various retailers
The CCPC and product safety: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is responsible for making sure that a wide range of products sold in Ireland meet specific regulations. This includes toys, domestic gas and electrical appliances, consumer PPE and general consumer products like furniture and children’s clothing.
CCPC product safety experts investigate consumer complaints about unsafe products, inspect products for compliance with safety regulations, and work with manufacturers, importers, retailers, Customs and other EU product safety bodies to keep consumers safe.
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