Temu and TikTok users warned that buying tech gadgets brings 'explosions and house fires'
TEMU and TikTok shoppers have been warned that electric heaters for sale on both platforms could pose a significant fire hazard.
According to a survey by Which? various electric heaters promoted by influencers to millions can “explode, cause electric shock or start house fires.”
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The consumer watchdog bought and tested eight electric heaters from both Temu and Tiktok – where prices started from just £7.20 – and found six of them were unsafe.
Only one of the eight heaters is safe for home use and can be legally sold in Britain.
About 27 listings for these products have now been removed by the marketplaces.
However, research shows that thousands of these dangerous heaters have already been sold.
Do you have a dangerous electric heater?
Temu and TikTok shoppers who have recently purchased electric heaters on the platforms have been encouraged to check their purchase history for dangerous models:
- X7 Portable Space Heater, £14.99 on Temu
- ML-9001 electric heater £19.47 on Temu
- XH-1201 1200W Portable Electric Heater, £7.20 on TikTok
- NFJ004 Portable Electric Heater, £15.99 on TikTok
- Elpine Halogen 31227c, £17.95 on TikTok
- Kingavon FH204, £15.29 on TikTok
These are not the only dangerous heaters on the platforms. Which? warned.
The organization found 34 listings for heaters on Temu and TikTok that were identical to the heaters that failed safety tests.
It's not the first time poor gadget safety standards have put bargain hunters on Temu and Tiktok at risk.
A large number of untested electrical appliances, including exploding hair curlers, were found in the TikTok store, The Sun revealed last month.
While it turns out that Temu is selling 'road rage knives' for less than five dollars, as well as a whole range of other 'unsafe and illegal' items.
“Cheap electric heaters are a tempting purchase for consumers struggling during the cold winter months, but our latest testing has shown that models sold on TikTok and Temu pose a serious safety risk and should be avoided at all costs,” says Sue Davies, Which? Head of consumer protection policy, said a statement.
“It is crucial that the government urgently gives more legal responsibility to online marketplaces for unsafe products, so that they are forced to take action to prevent dangerous products from ending up in people's homes.”
Following the latest investigation into the couple, Which? calls for online marketplaces to be given more legal responsibility for the sale of unsafe and illegal products to consumers.
Responding to the investigation, Temu said: “We deeply regret any concerns or inconvenience caused by the safety issues identified with four electric heaters on our platform.
“The safety of our customers is our top priority and we have taken immediate action to address this issue.
“We appreciate the feedback and oversight from entities like Which? because they are invaluable in helping us improve our quality assurance.”
A TikTok spokesperson said: “The heaters were removed for violating our electrical and electronics policies.
“TikTok has policies and processes in place to protect customers and promote a trustworthy shopping experience.
“This includes policies on what can and cannot be sold, seller registration and verification requirements, and features such as product reviews, reporting tools, and easy returns.”