HOME ADVICE SAFETY BEFORE SAVING
Everyone loves a bargain for their home. So it’s all too tempting to buy second-hand electrical items – you could save a fortune compared with new. But that low cost item could be a death trap. Unless you take care, you could end up with family, yourself and home as a fire brigade emergency – or worse.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute – which polices the safety of what’s on sale – warns “second-hand electrical retailers who sell faulty goods are putting lives at risk”.
Dodgy electricals were responsible for more than 4,700 UK fires last year – 13 a day – according to Electrical Safety First, a UK safety charity.
But, despite these figures and legal warnings, second-hand electrical retailers continue to sell without appropriate checks, with one in three ignoring safety rules in the capital, according to London Trading Standards.
Products intended for consumers or reasonably likely to be used by them, (such as heavy duty tools for DIY), are required to be safe, whether new, reconditioned, hired or second-hand. The rules are very strict.
Businesses dealing in second-hand electrical goods must only sell appliances that have passed safety tests. They must be checked to ensure live parts are not exposed, wires are not frayed, and “creepage and clearance” distances – these measure insulation effectiveness – are within regulations.
Many charity shops refuse to accept electrical goods because they can’t check them.
Businesses failing to comply can face penalties, including possible imprisonment or manslaughter charges should faulty goods result in a death. But it’s too late then.
Chief Executive at CTSI, Leon Livermore, said: “Firms need to know they are responsible for products they sell, and ensure these are safe before they leave the door.”
Sellers of second-hand electrical goods are responsible for ensuring goods meet legal safety requirements and sellers may be liable to pay compensation if they sell unsafe goods, which then cause injury or damage.
Distributors and retailers, including second-hand dealers and auctions, must only sell appliances correctly fitted with an approved plug, with sleeved neutral and live pins, and the correct fuse. Electric fires for use in the home must have a fireguard meeting British Standards, or European equivalents.
But these rules don’t apply if you buy privately – from car boot sales, or classified adverts. It’s then up to you to check electrical safety.