Urgent warning over viral hot weather gadget that could leave you at risk of electric shock
SHOPPERS are being warned to steer clear of a hot weather gadget going viral on social media that promises to keep you cool – but poses serious risks.
When the weather heats up, electric fans can bring relief if you’re stuck inside hot and stuffy rooms.
But dangerous devices which connect directly to lightbulb sockets in ceiling pendants have flooded online marketplaces in recent weeks, The Sun can reveal.
They work like traditional ceiling fans but don’t require a fixed connection, meaning homeowners can simply plug them in without calling an electrician.
They appear to be easy to use by screwing in to a standard pendant light fitting common to most homes.
Experts have warned that the products are dangerous and could lead to electric shock.
Two major online marketplaces have now promised to investigate after The Sun alerted them to the risky gadgets.
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First said: “Ceiling fans, by their design, are in no way suitable to be used in light fittings, and this new trend is just another example of how viewers can be unknowingly encouraged to misuse products.
“The added weight of fixing a motor to your light fitting risks not only damaging it, but risks cables becoming damaged due to the excessive strain and motion they will be exposed to over time.
“For that reason, we have much wider concerns about the quality of these products.
“In extreme circumstances, if wires become broken due to the strain they have been put under, a household could be at risk of electric shock.”
The dangerous devices, which cost as little as £11, have been shared by users on TikTok as “the only thing you need to keep cool this summer” and a “genius invention”.
Some of those promoting the device make money off it themselves, as they are paid commission to advertise the products on the platform.
The items are sold on TikTok Shop, the social media site’s shopping site, but can be found on other online shopping sites too.
We’ve seen countless examples of the same product on Amazon, Temu and Alibaba.
Prices range from £19.99 all the way up to £60.
Giuseppe added: “These products, in a test lab, would fail to meet safety standards if they were specifically created for use in a pendant set, on the very basis this would be classified as a misuse of the product.
“A ceiling fan should be connected to a dedicated fixture only, one that will be designed to handle the weight and movement of the device.
“We have previously raised concerns about dangerous and sometimes reckless, TikTok trends that can risk people’s safety.
“We urge the public to avoid being misled by what may be well-intentioned advice from influencers that unknowingly puts them at risk.”
How can I spot potentially dangerous items online?
THERE are a number of ways you can check to see if an item you've bought online could be substandard.
Electrical Safety First recommends that shoppers always inspect the packaging and any items purchased online carefully.
Tell-tale signs of substandard items include plugs without fuses, non-UK plugs, lack of instructions or spelling mistakes and grammatical errors on the packaging.
You should never buy on price alone either. Not all bargains are worth it if the item isn’t the real deal.
All electrical products are required to have a label bearing the manufacturer’s name or trademark and other marks such as CE or UKCA.
This information is normally on the product itself. However, these can still be copied and applied to counterfeit products.
Electrical Safety First only recommends buying from a retailer you trust, either directly from the manufacturer or from a trusted high street name.
This is because online marketplaces are not currently required by law to check the safety of products sold on their sites, whereas traditional high-street shops are.
TikTok and Amazon said it has launched an investigation into the products after after The Sun reported these concerns.
An Amazon spokesperson added: “Safety is a top priority at Amazon and we want customers to shop with confidence on our stores.
“We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations and we monitor for product safety concerns.
“If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service team directly so we can investigate and take appropriate action.”
Experts have previously warned customers about the risks of buying cheap electric gadgets on online marketplaces.
Experts from Electrical Safety First uncovered unsafe dozens of unsafe items listed on Amazon Marketplace, eBay, Wish.com, Facebook and AliExpress last year.
A dodgy heater found on eBay was identified as one of the most dangerous products uncovered, the charity claims.
It allegedly let 240 volts run through a heating element with an insecure cover.
SAFER ALTERNATIVES
If you’re looking to beat the heat and stay cool indoors this summer there’s a number of safer hot weather gadgets available.
For example, if you work from home, John Lewis‘ Anyday Desk Fan costs just £15.
If you need a tower fan, Curry’s sells a 29-inch variant for just £27.99.
However, if you want a ceiling fan installed you’ll need to call an electrician to wire it in safely.
Prices of these fans vary depending on size and quality.
However, a basic one costs around £50, and a luxury model can cost up to £350.
The combined cost of a new fan and installation by an electrician averaged £275, according to Checkatrade.
What should I do if I've purchased potentially dangerous products online?
IF you've made a purchase and suspect your item is substandard or dangerous you should stop using it straight away.
It’s worth contacting the supplier or retailer and reporting your concerns.
Shoppers have a legal right to a refund if they’ve bought something that can be proven unsafe.
If you can’t settle a refund with the seller or retailer, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for advice.
If you originally paid for your item with a credit or debit card, you could request a refund under Section 75 or chargeback rules, depending on the cost of the goods.
Electrical Safety First also recommends that shoppers provide feedback and warn future shoppers about the situation and potential problems as long as any claims are accurate.
If you know that your product is unsafe, you can report it to Trading Standards so that they can take action against the seller.
Citizens Advice can send your concerns to the regulating body on your behalf.
You can find out more by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/.