Mobile phones are considered essential nowadays. But do you know the dangers surrounding fake mobile phone chargers?
1.8 million chargers are bought on-line each year in the UK by mobile phone owners in search of a bargain.
Although it can be cheaper to buy imported, unofficial chargers, fake mobile phone chargers are often made with poor quality components that fail to meet UK safety regulations. This means they can cause injury, electric shocks and even fires.
For specific advice about the importance of using the right chargers for iPhone, Blackberry, Samsung, Nokia, HTC, Motorola, LG and Sony mobile phones, visit the Electrical Safety First website.
We recommend you:
- Make sure you follow instructions for all electrical devices and that you use the correct chargers in line with the manufacturer’s guidance. If the wrong charger is used for an electrical device, the internal battery can’t handle a different voltage and it can catch fire.
- Stop using a charger if you suspect that it is faulty or fake.
- Do not use a charger if you have to force it into the wall socket, and don’t use it on an extension lead.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how long to charge a product.
- Always buy from a shop you know and trust, an approved retailer or direct from the manufacturer of the same name as the device.
- When left plugged in overnight, phone chargers could overheat and cause fires.
- Particular fire risks are phones left charging on soft furnishings and covering a phone while it’s charging.