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Safety alert on USB chargers

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THE ACT’s Office of Regulatory Services has republished a NSW warning on unsafe USB chargers following a death.

“Do not purchase or use an electrical product that does not carry a recognised safety approval mark or insulation on the pins of the plug,” said the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner.

“Consumers in possession of unapproved and non-compliant USB style chargers, typically used to charge phones and tablets, should bend the pins on the chargers and dispose of them immediately.

“As a general safety rule, consumers should not use any devices while they are plugged in and charging.”

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6 Responses to Safety alert on USB chargers

Frank says: 1 July 2014 at 5:58 pm

Don’t understand what he means if the pins bend you should or not use them.

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Ben says: 13 July 2014 at 10:49 pm

Hi Frank, as a general precaution when throwing away electrical items that are malfunctioning, you should bend the pins to make the device unusable. This way, if anyone ever finds the item, it cannot be plugged in putting the new user at risk. This is much better then cutting the lead off, because you end up with a death lead this way where the end you just cut off could be plugged in with the exposed wires completely unsheilded….you never know what kids are going to do.

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Chris says: 1 July 2014 at 6:25 pm

“As a general safety rule, consumers should not use any devices while they are plugged in and charging.”

Does this really mean that laptops that are plugged in and charging should not be used? Ridiculous!

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