Investigation finds dangerous travel adapters sold online
An investigation has found that travel adapters sold online pose electric shock and fire risks, prompting warnings to holidaymakers.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Holidaymakers heading abroad this summer are being warned to watch out for dangerous travel adapters after an investigation found that many sold online fail to meet UK safety standards. The research, conducted by the charity Electrical Safety First, tested 14 travel adapters purchased from online marketplaces and found all of them to be unsafe, with some posing a serious risk of electric shock or fire.
In a demonstration, an expert showed that one adapter allowed all plug pins to be extended at the same time, meaning that if plugged in with the pins visible, live mains electricity could be touched. The expert warned that touching those pins with wet hands could be fatal, and noted that the adapter was small enough to attract a child in a hotel room. Other faults included weak plug pins with insufficient copper content, which could break off inside a socket, and designs that exposed metal contacts inside the adapter, creating an electric shock hazard when plugging or unplugging devices.
A further test showed that one adapter caught fire due to poor quality plastics. The online marketplaces that sold these products have stated that safety is their priority and have removed the items from sale, claiming they have monitoring systems to prevent unsafe listings. However, the message from the investigation is clear: travellers should be cautious about the travel adapters they buy online, as a faulty one could turn a holiday into a disaster.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| All 14 travel adapters tested from online marketplaces were found to be dangerous. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on consumer safety with a strong visual demonstration of the dangers. It uses a live interview with an expert from Electrical Safety First to highlight specific risks, such as exposed live pins and fire hazards. The tone is urgent and warning-oriented, framed around the summer holiday season to make it relatable to viewers.
- “We found all 14 were really dangerous and some were seriously dangerous.”
- “If you touch those pins with wet hands, it could kill you. That's how bad this is.”
- “We also found other travel adapters where you can see the metal contacts inside them, and that is a real problem.”
Broadcast Timeline
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