Product
recalls – everyone knows about them, yet how many of us actually
know for certain that all our electrical appliances in our home are
actually safe?
Unless
your product is registered with the company your purchased it from
and they have your correct address details, it is pretty much down to
you to find out for yourself about electrical items that form a
product recall. There is no central place to check currently so you
have to be pro-active and the truth is that we lead such busy lives,
finding out about potential product recalls do not even feature on
our ever lengthening 'to do' lists!
A
cold wake up call!
One of our electricians here at Fulcher Edwards helped out a valued
customer last week when our team went to fit a smoke alarm system –
one of the many electrical services in London that we offer.
During the course of the day, our electrician noticed that the
customer had a Beko fridge freezer. He took a minute to look at the
serial number inside the fridge as he had also had the same fridge
that was part of a product recall. After checking on line on the
Electrical Safety First's product recall list, he discovered that the
customer was at risk of fire.
The customer was not aware that the integrated fridge freezer was a
fire risk as it was in her house when she purchased it. Thanks to the
observance of our electrician, she contacted Beko who have arranged
to make a free of charge modification.
This story had a happy ending, but how many appliances are
disappearing under the radar without notice?
Don't
underestimate the danger
It is not only large electrical appliances that have the potential to
cause electric shock or fire, small products like adaptors, chargers
and small items such as computer routers all present the same
dangers.
Many product recalls of this nature originate from China where
genuine products have been copied or universal products are
manufactured which do not meet strict EU or UK standards. Such
products are widely found on line and in most cases carry no
guarantee or exchange service meaning the product simply has to be
destroyed. This is at best – many of these products are so poorly
made that bare live wire is often exposed leaving users at risk of
electric shock.
The latest product recall on the electrical safety first website is a
X-360 slim AC adapter. It is a black power supply sold for use with
the Xbox 360, but is not a genuine product. If anyone in your
household has an Xbox 360 and has purchased a cheap version of a
power pack, check to see if it is this one. The plug and supply cord
do not meet the required standards leaving users at risk of electric
shock.
Where
to find information about recalled products
As one of the leading electrical companies in London, we actively
promote the dangers of electrical items and the damage they can
cause. They are not just a risk, they present a real danger to life
and can cause costly damage to the electrics within your home.
Unfortunately we find ourselves carrying out increasing amounts of
electrical work in homes in and around South East London which has
been caused by dangerous electrical items that are either fake or
were under a product recall notice.
Although there is no single place to check for product recall
notices, the electrical safety charity Electrical Safety First has a
product checker of all electrical items that have been recalled since
2007. It is worth checking through this list from time to time as it
also contains instructions on what to do if your electrical item is
affected.
The most important thing to do is not to knowingly use a product you
know to be under a product recall or which you suspect is dangerous.
Contact the retailer or manufacturer for advise if you feel a product
you are using has developed a dangerous fault.
Never take a risk with electricity it is simply not worth it.
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