Electrical Safety First Warns of Dangerous Online Travel Adapters

The consumer safety charity Electrical Safety First warned that thousands of highly dangerous travel adapters sold via online marketplaces pose risks of fire, electric shock, and electrocution. An investigation into 14 products from AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay, and TikTok Shop found that every unit failed basic UK safety requirements. Critical failures included design flaws that exposed live plug pins of up to 240 volts, missing safety shutters and fuses, and poor mechanical strength that caused pins to snap off. Laboratory tests also revealed that six adapters failed to resist ignition, with some plastic casings bursting into flames.

In response to the findings, all four platforms removed the flagged listings and associated promotional videos. AliExpress initiated a recall for affected customers and launched a wider review of universal travel adapter listings where multiple plug pins can be extended simultaneously. eBay also stated it is conducting wider checks to identify and remove similar unsafe listings.

Electrical Safety First estimates that over 10,000 of these unsafe devices may have been sold to UK consumers. The charity is calling for the Government of the United Kingdom to implement new regulations that make online marketplaces legally responsible for the safety of products sold on their sites. The UK Civil Aviation Authority added that the findings serve as a reminder for travelers to purchase electrical accessories from trusted sources.