Advice for consumers after faulty charger blamed for fatal fire

Police and fire officers investigating the cause of a house fire in Sheffield which left five members of the same family dead say the blaze was probably caused by an electrical fault involving a faulty charger.

Trading Standards suggest the following advice for consumers when buying a charger:

• Always look out for the manufacturers or importer's brand name/logo and their address
• A model and batch number should either be on the charger itself or on the packaging
• Warnings and instructions for use should be provided

• Check that there is at least 9.5mm between the edge of the pins and the edge of the charger
• Ask for a receipt so that the purchase can be traced back if there is a problem
• Check that the output voltage and current ratings marked on the charge and your electrical device are the same

• Don't mix chargers - always use the right charger for each device
• Do not leave on charge overnight

If you think you have purchased an unsafe or counterfeit charger stop using it immediately and report it to Trading Standards by contacting the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.