Consumer Protection have warned those who buy electrical products online that overseas plug converters supplied with appliances to make them usable in Australia could injure or kill.
South West region coordinator Annetta Bellingeri said Consumer Protection are aware of two recent, local cases where consumers received electric shocks from power adaptors that came with appliances they’d purchased online.
“The sellers supply these adapters to overcome the problem of the appliance being fitted with a plug not suitable for use in Australia,” Mrs Bellingeri said.
“One that caused recent electric shocks was a travel adaptor with multiple pin options.
“When the Australian pins are plugged into a power board, two exposed pins designed for the UK are able to be touched and those pins are live at 240 volts which is enough to cause serious injury or death.”
Mrs Bellingeri said Consumer Protection were working with EnergySafety to warn the WA community about the potentially unsafe adaptors.
”If you receive, or already have, an adaptor supplied with electrical goods purchased online or bought while overseas, be suspicious about its electrical safety,” she said.
“Have it checked by an electrician before use or better still, buy an adapter from a reputable local retailer because adaptors sold here must be approved for use in Australia.
“Alternatively, if you have an appliance with a foreign plug, ask an electrician to replace the plug with an Australian one.
Anyone in possession of unapproved adaptors from overseas should destroy and dispose of them immediately.”
Tips for consumers in this situation;
- Only buy electrical products with the Regulatory Compliance Mark and Australian safety approval number.
- Buy from recognised Australian stores and not from overseas suppliers to ensure electrical products are safe.
- Before purchasing adaptors or chargers, check the plug pins are of an Australian configuration, have been approved for use in Australia and are insulated for at least 50% of the pin length.
- Anyone in possession of unapproved adaptors or chargers from overseas should destroy and dispose of them immediately. Do not use them.
- Unsafe adaptors should not be able to be purchased locally but if you have one you bought in Australia it should be reported and if you notice any unapproved chargers for sale by a local supplier, please also call EnergySafety on 6251 1900 or Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54.