Rebecca Evans MS joins Electrical Safety First in warning about dangerous electrical beauty products for sale online

Member of the Senedd for Gower, Rebecca Evans MS, has joined leading consumer safety Charity Electrical Safety First to warn that people in Wales may be buying unsafe electrical items online.

The Charity Electrical Safety First carried out an investigation which discovered that some hair clippers, hair removal kits and other beauty salon electrical items for sale in online marketplaces were unfit for sale to Welsh consumers as advertised, putting them at risk of electric shock and fire.

Rebecca Evans MS said “With hairdressers and beauty salons currently closed in Wales, research has revealed that more than a third (38%) of adults in Wales have either already purchased or are considering purchasing an electrical beauty item such as hair clippers or hair removal kits from an online marketplace.

“Electrical Safety First have told me of their concern about unsafe beauty products being sold online – and it might not be immediately obvious from the advertisements why they might be dangerous.”

The investigation has raised awareness of the dangerous of purchasing products on online marketplaces that are not compatible to be used in Wales as they often advertised without UK plugs, and are sold with dangerously poor-quality travel adaptors for permanent use. The Charity is concerned that such items are illegal and risks electric shock or a fire in consumers home.

 Notes to editor:
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• Electrical Safety First is a UK Charity dedicated to reducing and preventing damage, injuries and death caused by electricity. More information can be found at electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk.
• Electrical Safety First contacted all marketplaces directly including; Amazon Marketplace, eBay.co.uk and Wish.com to inform them of the products discovered that were deemed to be substandard and/or dangerous and requested the listing be removed from sale as soon as possible.
• Consumer research was conducted via the survey group, Censuswide with a sample of 2009 adults across the UK, 99 of whom were in Wales. Research was conducted in the field between 11.05.2020 to 12.05.2020. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.​