Brits warned to check Christmas presents now for hidden sign that could cause fires
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EXPERTS have warned Brits to check presents they give and receive aren't dangerous over fears last minute electrical gifts might be unsafe. Professionals from the Electrical Safety First charity have issued a stark list of tell-tale signs that gifts for your loved one might be unsafe - and capable of causing a serious fire.
![[If the plug looks like this you should stop using the product]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image001-5.jpg?strip=all&w=645)
This is especially the case if buying online from third party sellers instead of reputable retailers. They say the first red flag to look out for is the plug. “Electronic gifts are some of the most popular buys to put under the tree, but they can also pose the biggest risk if they are unsafe,” Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First told The Sun.
![[Beauty electricals are among the dangerous products found online]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image002_5853a6.jpg?strip=all&w=677)
"With any electrical gadget, the biggest clue something is seriously wrong starts with the plug. "Beware clover leaf-shaped plugs, often sold via online marketplaces.". The reason these are dangerous is because they "almost never" come with a fuse. And a plug without a fuse can pose a serious risk of a fire if a fault occurs with your gadget, as it can’t cut out effectively, leaving the cable at risk of overheating and catching fire.
![[Ensure your gifts are safe]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/newspress-collage-3nh1001xp-1735057005497.jpg?1735057032&strip=all&w=960)
These type of plugs also do not meet the dimensions required of them to be legally sold to you in the UK. But there are other signs to look out for that could indicate dangerous goods too. If there's no instructions or user manual it’s an indication that due care has not been taken before that product has been sold to you - and could therefore reflect badly on the quality of the product.
