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Trading Standards Survey finds dangerous electrical goods
27th October 2008
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Trading Standards Service has been advising consumers to be vigilant when purchasing second hand electrical goods, following a survey into the safety of such items.
Following the summer floods last year, the trading standards service became concerned that electrical goods damaged by water were starting to appear on the second hand market. Information from the market place also indicated that there was an increased demand for second hand electrical goods from people who were not insured against the damage caused by the floods.
As a result, the trading standards service took the decision to purchase a portable appliance test instrument, enabling officers to test the safety of electrical goods on sale.
Inspections were then carried out at second hand outlets across the East Riding of Yorkshire. A third of all the items tested failed to meet electrical safety requirements, the majority of faults being found in the plug or the flexible cord. In most cases, trading standards were able to work with the proprietors of the businesses concerned to ensure that either the goods were removed from sale and disposed of, or the fault rectified.
Trading standards are continuing to advise consumers to carry out visual checks before buying second hand electrical appliances and, if possible, to buy such goods only if they have been tested for safety.
Any member of the public or business who have concerns about the sale of second hand electrical goods should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506
