Southwark Trading Standards warns public on cheap extension leads

An Astra Slimline 13 AMP 4 way extension lead has been investigated by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) after a fire at a flat on the Old Kent Road on January 10.

The lead was being used with an electric heater when the cable overheated and caused a small fire. Luckily the residents heard the cable 'explode' and a more serious fire incident was averted.

The LFB investigation concluded there were numerous defects including no earth protection whatsoever, no fuse in the plug, inadequate and poorly insulated cable and inadequate plug construction.

The store where the product was bought (99p Plus Zone, 361 Old Kent Road) voluntarily withdrew the remaining stock and these have been seized by Southwark Trading Standards Officers. It is believed the goods were imported directly from China to the store which has also instigated a recall. They were being sold for £2.99.

A second type of lead sold in the same store has also just been condemned as unsafe, because the live and neutral wiring is reversed. Not only could this damage appliances plugged into it and render them live when they appear to be off, it could also cause a fire.

This second lead, a Golden Anchor 4 way extension lead, on sale for £2.49, is very similar to the one that caused a fire in Renfrewshire in 2007.

Southwark Council's executive member for community safety, Cllr Linda Manchester, said the consequences could be horrifying:

"With the cold weather forcing many people to leave heaters plugged in overnight, the consequences of using a dangerous extension lead are terrifyingly obvious.

"Two seizures by our officers so close together have highlighted the fact that there are more of these leads out there and everyone who has a set is in very real danger. It also highlights how important it is for members of the public to report any incident involving unsafe goods. Anyone who has bought one should stop using it and return it to the store or contact our Trading Standards Team."

Borough Commander Andy Snazell from the LFB said: "Following the small fire on Jan 10, we have confirmed that these products pose a very serious risk to any one using them.

"The priority now is to ensure that they are all identified and either returned or handed back to trading standards."

The Astra Slimline four way extension leads (four gang adaptors) are white and come with a built in voltmeter. They are sold in a clear rigid plastic packaging. They have no fuse fitted and no earth connections. The Golden Anchor product is white with a black base and came packaged in blue and yellow boxes. Anyone using the leads risks being electrocuted or suffering a house fire.

Both products lack a manufacturer's address and the statutory 'CE' mark (Conformity European) which means that the manufacturer or the importer declares that the product is safe and meets the requirements of relevant safety regulations.

Trading Standards can be contacted on 020 7525 2000.

That's the message from Southwark Trading Standards today, which is investigating two different types of extension leads purchased from a pound shop in the borough.