A consumer safety organization has raised concerns about travel adaptors available through major online retailers, warning summer travelers to exercise caution when purchasing these devices.
Electrical Safety First conducted testing on 14 travel adaptor products sourced from popular online marketplaces and found all of them failed to meet UK safety standards. The investigation revealed that six regular travel adaptors presented fire safety concerns, while eight universal adaptors had multiple design flaws. Specifically, six of the eight universal adaptors tested allowed multiple pin sets to become exposed simultaneously, a significant hazard. Additionally, none of the eight universal adaptors met required dimensional and mechanical strength specifications, with some pins breaking during testing.
The safety issues identified in the regular adaptors included missing safety shutters that normally protect against contact with live components, absent fuses, and oversized pin holes. The testing organization noted that users attempting to remove broken pins from sockets would face risk of electric shock. Government authorities have previously issued warnings and product recalls related to similar safety deficiencies in travel adaptors.
Online reviews of the flagged products documented concerning incidents, including reports of devices failing during use and one claiming an adaptor exploded while in operation. All four platforms—AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay, and TikTok Shop—confirmed they had removed the flagged products and stated that product safety represents a priority for their operations.
The consumer safety group called for stronger regulatory measures, advocating that online marketplaces be held legally responsible for products offered through their platforms. Safety experts advised consumers to purchase adaptors from trusted retailers and identified three warning signs of potentially unsafe devices: multiple pins that can extend simultaneously, visible internal components, and spelling or grammar errors on packaging or listings.
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