LONDON, England – Consumer group Which? has issued a warning about the sale of unsafe electric heaters on popular social media platforms like TikTok and Temu. According to their tests, some of these heaters could potentially explode, cause electric shocks, or start house fires.
Which? conducted tests on eight electric heaters purchased from TikTok and Temu, with prices as low as £7.20, and found that six of them were unsafe. The tests revealed that one of the inexpensive portable electric heaters bought from TikTok posed a fire hazard, potential explosion threat, and could also cause electric shocks. Similarly, a portable space heater purchased from Temu could also give users an electric shock, cause a fire, or explode.
The consumer group also found multiple sellers listing these unsafe heaters on the platforms, with some claiming thousands of sales. In response to the findings, both TikTok and Temu have removed all heaters that failed the safety testing. However, Which? reported that similar listings have since appeared on the platforms.
The consumer group is calling for online marketplaces like TikTok and Temu to take on more legal responsibility for the safety of products sold through their platforms. According to recent research by Which?, millions of UK consumers made purchases through these platforms in 2023, highlighting the potential risk posed by unsafe products being sold to consumers.
TikTok and Temu have emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of their users. They have removed the unsafe heaters from their platforms and have stated that they take immediate action to address safety issues. However, consumer advocates are calling for more stringent regulations to protect consumers from the sale of dangerous electrical products through online platforms.
The charity Electrical Safety First’s chief executive, Lesley Rudd, highlighted the need for urgent legal changes to regulate these platforms and protect shoppers from unsafe goods. Despite the efforts of the Office for Product Safety and Standards to take action against unsafe products sold online, there is a growing concern about the accessibility of dangerous products through social media platforms.
The current framework for product safety has been criticized for being outdated and unfit for the way people shop today. Advocates are urging the government to expedite the review process and implement decisive action to protect consumers from the risks posed by unsafe products sold online.
As the issue continues to raise concerns, the responsibility for ensuring the safety of products sold online remains a topic of debate, with consumer groups, online platforms, and government agencies all playing a role in addressing these challenges.