Islanders are being urged to buy smart and be safe with your electrical product purchases this Black Friday, following several recent lithium-ion battery fires.
If you are planning on hitting the high street this Black Friday, or surfing the web on Cyber Monday to pick up some bargains, the service wants you to ensure the products you purchase are safe for you and your family.
Discounts involving electrical goods are once again expected to be among the most sought after this year, but you should avoid cheap and counterfeit items which can be dangerous in your home.
Many electrical products use lithium-ion batteries, which when damaged can spark devastating fires, and across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the fire service has seen a rise in these incidents.
In 2019, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service recorded only 1 lithium-ion battery incident, however, this has increased each year, with 36 damaging and costly blazes in homes and at waste/recycling centres seen in 2024 to date.
To protect yourself, your family, and your home from fire, here are some top fire safety tips to keep in mind:
- When hunting for deals buy from reputable retailers and look for the UKCA or CE symbol on the product to ensure it is properly certified.
- You can be informed of dangerous goods and product recalls for electrical appliances by registering your items online.
- Ensure you always use the charger your device originally came with.
- Don’t overload your plug sockets or leave items on charge overnight/unattended.
- Keep an eye out for scorch marks, hot plugs or flickering lights as this could be a sign of dangerous wiring.
- If you’re looking to dispose of your electrical product, check your local waste guidance to safely throw away batteries.
James Lucy, HIWFRS Assistant Director for Prevention and Protection Delivery, says:
“With Black Friday upon us we want to ensure that everyone across Hampshire and Isle of Wight is safe with the Christmas present purchases they make on the high streets or online.
Article continues below this advertisement “We ask that when buying electrical products such as e-scooters and other lithium-ion battery devices, only do so from reputable retailers, ensure they meet UK Safety Standards, and that you know how to use and charge them safely.
“Use the charger your product came with, don’t overload sockets and never leave them plugged in overnight or unattended.”
Wouldn’t it be a better idea if the authorities made sure that
Businesses selling electrical items are selling safe items in the
first place.
Most buyers have no idea of the components inside the
electrical items they purchase.
Sigh. And what authorities would that be? Oh, don’t bother
Trading standards for what they are worth.
Any Government run organisation couldn’t
run a bath between them, yet alone organise a
P*ss up in a brewery.