AT-HOME HAIRCUT TOOLS A BUZZKILL

‘Lethal’ clippers recall

BRITS are risking their lives doing DIY haircuts at home.

Investigators have found potentially deadly equipment online including clippers that could deliver a lethal shock.

Other items spotted include dangerous hair straighteners and dyes containing poisonous chemicals.

The EU rapid alert system Rapex has withdrawn unsafe electrical equipment from sites such as eBay and Amazon.

Thousands of people turned their bathrooms into makeshift salons when hairdressers closed.

But crooks took the chance to flood the market with dodgy styling equipment.

Safety watchdogs warned that shipments of dangerous clippers and beard trimmers were sold.

Some do not have UK plugs and come with poor-quality adaptors, risking electric shock or fire.

A Men’s Basic Barber Set from the Kemei brand, which could give users an electric shock, was being sold on eBay.

Others by Flyglobal and Surker did not have the correct electrical insulation on their adaptors. Rapex flagged up a number of the unsafe devices on sale on websites. Knock-off hair straighteners and nail drying equipment which could cause serious burns were also spotted.

A set of Heatigo hair steamers with faulty plugs was being sold on both eBay and Amazon, as was an LED lamp to dry painted nails. Despite the safety alert, there are fears many of the devices could still be being used. Lesley Rudd, of Electrical Safety First, the charity which first spotted the items on sale, said: “They are potentially very dangerous and shouldn’t be sold.

“We urge consumers to stick to reputable retailers they trust when buying electrical products.” Those trying to pamper themselves with salon-style treatments at home are also at risk.

Hair dyes with high levels of chemicals that can poison the blood and cause liver damage have been spotted on sale.