Popular home security camera banned from sale over serious fire risk

Home security cameras are found in properties up and down the country, yet one make has been banned due to the serious health and safety risk it poses. The product presents a serious electric shock and fire risk to the public.

Cloud Storage Intelligent Camera has been rejected at the border by the Office for Product Safety and Standards. The device is a movable orbit camera that comes with a USB plug for charging. Product identifing codes are: UV 31, RVG17153-250910-0001-1130 and G17153-I3803014796.

The OPSS explained: “The product presents a serious risk of fire as the plug does not contain a fuse, and the plug face does not meet the dimensional requirements of BS 1363.The fuse is required to ensure the safe operation of the plug under fault conditions, and a non-conforming fuse could lead to the plug overheating and/or exploding.

“Improvements are also required to product documentation and marking. The product also presents a risk of electric shock as live parts can be accessed without tools, and the transformer primary and secondary windings are touching.”

They added: “Improvements are also required to product labelling, documentation and marking. The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.”

In response to the danger, the OPSS rejected the product upon arrival to the UK from China. Electrical Safety First has also shared their own guidance about buying gadgets online.

The charity said: “One in 10 Brits have first-hand experience of an electrical fire or shock caused by an electrical product they’ve bought online.

“Online marketplaces, like eBay, Amazon Marketplace, Facebook Marketplace and Wish, are not currently required by law to check the safety of products sold on their sites, in the same way traditional high street shops, such as John Lewis and Currys are.”

When shopping for electronic items online, Electrical Safety First urges people not to buy on price alone. If an item seems cheap, make sure you research the item before purchasing.

They also warn of glowing reviews, especially if they aren’t from verified accounts. The charity explained: “Some sites cross-reference user reviews with their buyer database and label those people as ‘verified purchasers’.”

Another tip is to read the product description for keywords that promote the item’s authenticity. “If the seller claims the product is ‘genuine’, ‘CE certified’ or ‘approved’ double check the source. Most reputable retailers don’t need to sell their products like this,” they said.