TikTok and Temu have made the decision to remove inexpensive electric heaters from their online stores in response to a recent investigation that revealed potential fire and explosion risks. The consumer group Which? conducted tests on eight heaters, with the cheapest priced at £7.20, and found that most did not meet UK safety standards. Influencers on TikTok were promoting many of these devices, posing a serious safety hazard to users.
When contacted for comment, both TikTok and Temu stated that customer safety was their top priority. Consequently, the identified items were promptly removed from their online inventory. However, Which? found that similar listings had appeared after the removal of the unsafe heaters.
Temu and TikTok have emerged as strong competitors to established online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, with millions of UK consumers turning to them for reasonably priced products. Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection Policy at Which?, considers cheap electric heaters to be a tempting purchase for individuals facing struggles during the winter months. However, she stresses the importance of avoiding models sold on TikTok and Temu, labelling them as a serious safety risk.
Moreover, Which? has raised concerns about the impact of social media influencers in promoting these hazardous heaters. The TikTok Shop, integrated into the video-sharing app, frequently features various products in creators’ videos on the platform. Multiple posts from influencers endorsing these fire hazard heaters were discovered in TikTok search results.
Lesley Rudd, CEO of Electrical Safety First, believes that influencers have a moral obligation to ensure the products they endorse are safe for their followers. She also echoed the sentiment that current regulations are failing, especially with the emergence of new online sellers. She emphasized the urgent need for the government to hold online marketplaces accountable for unsafe products.
After purchasing and testing five portable heaters from TikTok Shop and three from Temu, Which? concluded that only one of them was safe for home use and legally approved for sale in the UK. A Temu spokesperson expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the safety issues identified with the products. They assured that prompt action had been taken to address the matter, with customer safety being their primary concern.
Similarly, TikTok acknowledged the issue and highlighted their commitment to ensuring consumer safety. In a statement, the company mentioned that they promptly remove merchants or products that violate their policies.
In conclusion, it is evident that there needs to be a more robust system in place to protect consumers from unsafe products, particularly in the realm of online marketplaces. With the changing landscape of commerce, it is imperative that laws and regulations adapt to ensure the safety and well-being of consumers.
Source: BBC News
What to Do if You’re Struggling with Energy Bills
If you’re facing challenges in paying your energy bill, there are a few steps you can take to ease the burden:
1. Check your direct debit: Your monthly payment should be based on your estimated energy use for the year. If your actual usage is lower than the estimate, your supplier can reduce your bill.
2. Pay what you can: If you’re unable to meet your direct debit or quarterly payments, request an “able to pay plan” from your supplier based on what you can afford.
3. Claim what you are entitled to: Ensure that you are receiving all the benefits you are eligible for to help with your energy bills. You can find a useful guide on an independent website to help you with this.
Remember, it’s important to proactively seek assistance when facing financial strain from energy bills.
Source: BBC News
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