Dangerous Hair Clippers Seized in Blackburn

Trading Standards officers have seized potentially lethal electric hair clippers being sold for just £3 in Blackburn

The Richo Easy Cut clippers, designed for ‘family use’ have no fuse inside the plug and no plastic sheathing on the plug pins. It means anyone using them is at risk of being electrocuted which could prove fatal to anyone with a weak heart.

Twenty six boxes of the clippers were taken from Pound Craze, Church Street, Blackburn, which had already taken them off sale after complaints from customers. Trading Standards officers were alerted when a customer brought clippers to their office and complained the product became very hot while being used and smelt of burning.

“Officers were horrified to find that, although the plug says 13amp, there is no fuse fitted and no space for a fuse. The wiring was different colours in different pairs of clippers and the metal top cover was in contact with the wiring,” said Councillor John Slater, executive member for citizens and consumer rights.

“Independent safety tests confirmed the clippers are potentially lethal and should not be on sale. Anyone who has bought them should immediately stop using them and return them to the shop.

“The shop had already taken them off sale and we are working with them to trace the source of this dangerous product. We have also alerted Trading Standards officers nationwide to check their local shops. If you do see cheap electrical goods for sale be very careful and check that they conform to British safety standards.”

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Trading Standards Service, 3-5 Salford, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 6HG
Telephone: (Consumer Advice) 08454 040506  (Trader Advice) (01254) 222502    Fax: (01254) 698312
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/blackburnwithdarwen/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@blackburn.gov.uk

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