The EDM has been tabled by Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, and it recognises the work of Electrical Safety First and its campaign to raise awareness of online sales of counterfeit electrical products.

 

Moreover, with Christmas coming up and shopping still at fever pitch, Electrical Safety First is warning everybody to be on the look out for a bargain, saying that if a deal looks as though it’s too good to be true, then the chances are that it probably is – and it could be dangerous. 

 

There has been a huge increase in the number of counterfeit and sub-standard electrical goods coming into the country, and research by Electrical Safety First has found that sales of illegal, fake goods on social media are a growing trend and have increased by almost 15% in the last year alone.

 

The EDM, which was supported by another nine MPs, calls on the Government to assess and tackle the number of dangerous counterfeit electrical goods being traded online – which contribute to thousands of domestic fires, and can cause significant injuries, in the UK each year.

 

The EDM reads: ‘That this House recognises the work of Electrical Safety First, a charity dedicated to preventing deaths, injuries and damage caused by electricity, to raise awareness of people being put at risk by a new trend in which thousands of potentially dangerous counterfeit products are out on sale on social media; notes that sales of illegal, fake goods on social media have increased by nearly 15 per cent in the last year; further notes that, in the past year, the percentage of counterfeit goods seized by authorities because they posed a threat to people’s health and safety has doubled, with the number of mobile telephones seized for this reason increasing by over 50% in the last year; further notes that counterfeit electrical products often contain faulty parts, causing electric shocks, overheating and the ability to catch fire contributing to nearly 6,000 house fires; and calls on the Government to assess and tackle the number of dangerous counterfeit electrical goods being sold on social media in the UK.’

 

Commented Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First: “We are delighted that Jim Fitzpatrick has raised this issue in Westminster and thank him for his commendation of Electrical Safety First and its work. 

 

“There is a significant issue with counterfeit electrical products, which becomes particularly pressing during the Christmas period, when people are looking for a bargain. Unlike fake designer clothes or pirate DVDs, counterfeit electrical products can contain sub-standard parts, which can cause serious damage to both people and property,” he said.

 

 

Over the last three years there has been a big increase in the use of social media to advertise and trade in counterfeit goods, with thousands of items being made available on a daily basis. The Electrical Safety First survey found that a quarter of people said that they have seen fake products openly advertised on sites such as Facebook.

 

Seeing such open trading may lead people to think, says Electrical Safety First, that the products must be safe to buy. But fake goods often contain faulty parts that can cause products to overheat and even catch fire. Electric shock is also possible. Worryingly, the survey has shown that 24% of people have knowingly bought a counterfeit product, 21% would consider buying one in order to save money and 16% don’t think counterfeit products could put them at risk.

 

Electrical Safety First’s advice is to stick to reputable retailers – on the high street and online. For shoppers, there is an online guide – please see the link below. And for electrical contractors and installers, there is the BEAMA-owned and Voltimum run website ‘Counterfeit Kills’. Take a look using the second link below.