Safety alert issued for bathroom appliance – ‘risk of explosion’

A bathroom electrical item that many of us will have at home has been banned from sale because it poses a risk of fire and explosion. A safety alert has been issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards about the product, which has been rejected at the border. 

Originating from China, the Electric Toothbrush Charger, WY-3757 was being sold on Amazon, but it doesn’t meet the safety requirements to be sold here. It’s described as a white toothbrush charger with a wall plug that fits UK sockets. The Amazon product identifiers are X002A68Z4D and FBA15KTM0VDKU000003. 

The experts warned: “The product presents a high risk of fire as the plug fuse does not conform to the dimensional requirements of BS 1362. It is too small and as such cannot function properly. If there is a surge in the current or a fault with the product, the plug could catch fire and/or explode. Improvements are also required to product labelling, instructions and marking.

“The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994.”

The role of the Office for Product Safety and Standards is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence.

Over the past week or so, several products sold in UK stores have been recalled due to safety fears. For example, the Hobbycraft Giant Box of Craft has been withdrawn from sale due to risk to health as the vials of sand included in the set may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.

The OPSS said: “We recommend owners stop using this product immediately and keep it out of the reach of children. Follow the below instructions for details on disposal and return of the product.”