Campaign group Electrical Safety First said that more than 10,000 potentially dangerous travel power adaptors were sold online to UK consumers [1].

These devices pose a significant risk to travelers because they failed basic safety tests and could cause electric shocks or start fires. The warning follows a report from consumer Harri Kendrick, who experienced an electric shock while using one of these adaptors during a holiday in Cambodia [2].

According to the group, the unsafe products were distributed through several major online platforms. These include AliExpress, eBay, Amazon Marketplace, and TikTok Shop [2]. The accessibility of these items through popular marketplaces increases the likelihood that unsuspecting travelers are currently using faulty equipment.

To investigate the scope of the problem, Electrical Safety First purchased 14 devices for testing [3]. All 14 of those devices failed basic safety tests [3]. The failure of every single tested unit suggests a systemic lack of safety standards in the manufacturing of these specific adaptor models.

While the warning was originally issued in mid-2024, the group continues to highlight the dangers of purchasing unregulated electrical goods from third-party online sellers [4]. The incident involving Kendrick serves as a primary example of the physical danger these products pose when used in foreign electrical systems.

Consumers are encouraged to check their travel gear and avoid using adaptors that do not meet recognized safety certifications. The group said the risk of fire or shock remains high for those using these specific online-sourced products [2].

“More than 10,000 potentially dangerous travel power adaptors were sold online to UK consumers”

This situation highlights a critical gap in the regulation of third-party marketplaces, where high volumes of non-compliant electrical goods can reach consumers without rigorous safety vetting. Because travel adaptors interface directly with varying international voltage systems, a failure in basic safety insulation or grounding can lead to immediate physical harm or structural fires, making the use of certified equipment a necessity for international travel.