As millions of Britons head overseas during the summer holiday season, a consumer safety charity has warned that some travel plug adaptors available through major online marketplaces may pose significant safety risks.
Electrical Safety First (ESF) tested 14 travel adaptors purchased from sellers on AliExpress, Amazon Marketplace, eBay and TikTok Shop. According to the charity, every product examined failed to meet UK safety requirements, with several presenting hazards that could result in serious electric shock, electrocution or fire.
Investigation Finds Multiple Safety Failures
The charity’s testing identified several problems across both universal and standard travel adaptors.
Among the most serious concerns, six of the eight universal adaptors tested could expose more than one set of live plug pins at the same time while connected to a power socket. ESF warned that this could leave users vulnerable to contact with mains electricity.
Inspectors also found that the plug pins on all universal adaptors failed mechanical strength requirements, creating the possibility that pins could snap off inside electrical sockets. Attempting to remove a broken pin could place users at further risk of electric shock.
Other faults identified included missing safety shutters designed to prevent contact with live components, missing fuses that help reduce fire risks, oversized plug openings and adaptors that accepted three-pin plugs without providing an earth connection. The charity said these defects remove important layers of electrical protection.
Photo Credit: Electrical Safety First
Fire Resistance Tests Also Raised Concerns
ESF submitted six of the products for additional laboratory testing to assess the fire resistance of their plastic casings.
According to the investigation, every sample failed the flammability assessment, raising further concerns about their safety during normal use.
The charity said online listings suggested that more than 10,000 of the tested adaptors may already have been sold to UK consumers before they were identified.
Online Marketplaces Remove Flagged Products
Following the investigation, AliExpress, Amazon, eBay and TikTok Shop confirmed that the products highlighted by Electrical Safety First had been removed from sale.
AliExpress said it was also contacting affected customers and carrying out a broader review of similar travel adaptor listings, while eBay said it was conducting wider checks to identify comparable products. Amazon and TikTok likewise confirmed the flagged items had been taken down from their platforms.
Safety Advice for Holidaymakers
Electrical Safety First is encouraging travellers to purchase travel adaptors only from reputable retailers and to avoid choosing products solely because they appear inexpensive.
The warning comes during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, when demand for international plug adaptors increases sharply. Safety experts say travellers should inspect electrical accessories carefully and ensure they comply with recognised UK safety standards before taking them abroad.
Why the Warning Matters
Travel adaptors are everyday accessories that many holidaymakers rely on without giving much thought to their construction or safety. The findings highlight continuing concerns over potentially unsafe electrical products sold through third-party online marketplaces, despite existing product safety rules and previous enforcement efforts.
With summer travel continuing, consumer safety groups say purchasing certified electrical accessories from trusted sellers remains one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of electrical accidents while abroad.
