Shoppers are being warned to avoid heat-fighting gadgets circulating on social media that claim to keep you cool but pose serious risks.
When the weather gets hot, a fan can provide relief if you’re stuck in a stuffy room.
But dangerous devices that connect directly to ceiling pendant light bulb sockets have flooded the online market in recent weeks, The Sun has revealed.
It works just like a traditional ceiling fan, but doesn’t require a permanent connection, so homeowners can simply plug it into an electrical outlet without calling an electrician.
It seems easy to use, just screwing into the standard pendant light fittings common in most homes.
Experts have warned that the product is dangerous and can cause electric shock.
Two major online marketplaces have pledged to investigate after The Sun warned them about dangerous gadgets.
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “Ceiling fans, by their design, were never suitable for use in lighting fixtures, and this new trend is making it easier for viewers to unknowingly… “This is just one example of how people can be encouraged to misuse products.” .
“With the added weight of securing the motor to the light fixture, you not only risk damaging the motor, but you also risk damaging the cable over time by exposing it to excessive strain and movement.
“So we have broader concerns about the quality of these products.
“In extreme circumstances, the stress on the wires can cause them to break, putting your home at risk of electric shock.”
The dangerous device, which retails for just £11, has been shared by TikTok users as “the only thing you need to stay cool this summer” and “a genius invention”.
Some of the people promoting this device earn their own income as they are paid a commission for promoting the product on the platform.
The items are being sold on the social media site’s shopping site TikTok Shop, but can also be found on other online shopping sites.
I’ve seen countless examples of the same product on Amazon, Temu, and Alibaba.
Prices range from £19.99 to £60.
Giuseppe added: “If these products were specifically made for use in pendant sets, they may not meet safety standards in testing labs and this would be classified as product misuse.” Ta.
“Ceiling fans should only be connected to specialized fixtures designed to withstand the weight and movement of the equipment.
“We have previously raised concerns about dangerous and sometimes reckless TikTok trends that could put people’s safety at risk.
“We urge the public not to be misled by seemingly well-intentioned advice from influencers that may unknowingly put them at risk.”
How can I find potentially dangerous items online?
There are several ways to find out if an item you purchased online may be substandard.
Electrical Safety First recommends that shoppers always carefully inspect the packaging and products of products purchased online.
Telltale signs of a substandard product include plugs without fuses, non-UK plugs, missing instructions, misspelled or grammatical errors on the packaging.
Also, don’t buy based on price alone. Not all bargains have value if the product is not authentic.
All electrical products must be labeled with the manufacturer’s name or trade mark and a mark such as CE or UKCA.
This information is usually located on the product itself. However, these can still be copied and applied to counterfeit products.
At Electrical Safety First, we recommend only purchasing from reputable retailers, either directly from the manufacturer or from trusted, well-known stores.
This is because online marketplaces are not currently required by law to verify the safety of products sold on their sites, whereas traditional luxury stores are.
TikTok and Amazon announced they had launched an investigation into the product after The Sun reported on the concerns.
An Amazon spokesperson added: “At Amazon, safety is our top priority and we want our customers to feel safe shopping in our stores.”
“All products offered in our stores are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and we monitor product safety concerns.
“If you have any concerns about an item you have purchased, we encourage you to contact our customer service team directly so that we can investigate and take appropriate action.”
Experts had previously warned customers about the risks of buying cheap electrical products on online marketplaces.
Over the past year, Electrical Safety First experts have discovered dozens of dangerous products listed on Amazon Marketplace, eBay, Wish.com, Facebook, and AliExpress.
A dangerous heater found on eBay is one of the most dangerous products ever discovered, a charity claims.
The cover allegedly channeled 240 volts to an unsafe heating element.
Safer alternative
If you’re looking to beat the heat and stay cool indoors this summer, there are plenty of safer hot weather gadgets out there.
For example, if you’re working from home, John Lewis’ Anyday Desk Fan costs just £15.
If you want a tower fan, Curry’s has a 29-inch version on sale for just £27.99.
However, if you want to install a ceiling fan, you will need to contact an electrician to wire it safely.
The price of these fans varies depending on size and quality.
However, the basic model costs around £50, and the higher-end models can cost up to £350.
According to Checkatrade, the total cost of a new fan and electrician installation was on average £275.
What should I do if I purchased a potentially dangerous product online?
If you believe that the product you have purchased is substandard or dangerous, please stop using it immediately.
It is worth contacting your supplier or retailer and raising any concerns.
Shoppers have a legal right to a refund if they purchase something that can be proven to be unsafe.
If you are unable to resolve a refund with a merchant or retailer, please contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for advice.
If you originally paid for the Goods by credit or debit card, you may request a refund under Section 75 or the Chargeback Rules, depending on the price of the Goods.
Electrical Safety First also encourages shoppers to provide feedback and alert future shoppers about the situation and potential problems, as long as the claims are accurate.
If you know a product is unsafe, you can report it to Trading Standards and take action against the seller.
Citizens Advice can send your concerns to the regulator on your behalf.
For more information, please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/.