Alert over cheap, unsafe chargers

Chargers should have properly fitting pins to avoid overheating

People are being urged not to buy cheap imported electrical chargers after nine out of 15 failed safety tests by Gloucestershire Trading Standards.

The devices used in the survey included phone chargers, a laptop adaptor and Nintendo DS Lite mains adaptors.

All of them were bought from an internet auction site and originated from China.

One of the failed tests included poorly fitted plug pins, which could lead to overheating, officers said.

With postage, the average price of all the items came to £3.93, compared to safe chargers which normally retail for about £10.

Eddie Coventry, from Trading Standards, said: "The message from this survey is clear, don't be tempted to buy a cheap charger.

"Some of the items tested were for games consoles and therefore used by children.

"I would particularly urge parents to use reputable retailers selling genuine parts when purchasing a charger for hand held devices like games consoles, which may be used while the charger is plugged in."

The survey was conducted following the death of a seven-year-old British boy, on holiday in Thailand, after using his games console charger.