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This week was Electrical Fire Safety Week, as a business in the industry, we feel it is important to help spread awareness and advice when it comes to purchasing counterfeit goods, especially with Christmas and Black Friday coming up.
A counterfeit handbag might fall apart after a couple of uses. That’s inconvenient and a waste of money. But an electrical counterfeit is likely to contain sub-standard parts and puts you at serious risk of electrical fire or shock. So remember, be careful when purchasing electrical products online.
Before you rush online to buy those Christmas gifts, it is important to share a few more tips about what to look out for when purchasing products online.
- You should look out for Accreditation symbols. They are there for a reason, proof of regulation, testing and safety standards. CE or UKCA are trusted accreditation to look out for.
- The wording in the description is a sure give away if a product is counterfeit. If they are claiming ‘Genuine’ or ‘Authentic’ that should be an immediate red flag and cause for concern.
- Remember buying counterfeit products increases the chance of dangerous electrical issues that may not occur instantly but could cause major issues down the line.
- When buying electrical goods, the packaging can say a lot about the legitimacy of the product. Does it look flimsy? Does it contain spelling mistakes? If so, you may have been sold a counterfeit product. So, make sure you examine all packaging
- Finally, scrutinize the cost! If the price is too good to be true, the product may be fake or substandard.
For more information head to the Electrical Safety First and the NICEIC websites and social media platforms!
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