The Hidden Safety Risks Behind Some Travel Adaptors

UK shoppers are being warned to check Travel Adaptors bought online after every device in a recent 14-product test failed basic UK safety checks, raising concerns about the risk of electric shock, electrocution and fire.

Family ski holiday specialists Ski Famille reviewed the findings alongside current official traveller guidance. The adaptors tested were purchased from AliExpress, eBay, Amazon Marketplace and TikTok Shop, with information on the listings suggesting that more than 10,000 of the potentially unsafe products may already have been sold to UK shoppers.

The investigation looked at eight universal Travel Adaptors, featuring retractable pins for destinations including the UK, Europe, Australia and the US, alongside six basic models designed for particular countries or regions. Universal adaptors sold in the UK should be designed so users cannot reach live components and, importantly, should generally prevent more than one set of pins being exposed at the same time.

Serious Safety Problems Found in Travel Adaptors

Six of the eight universal models allowed multiple sets of pins to be exposed and live while plugged into a socket, potentially bringing users into contact with up to 240 volts. In the most serious circumstances, contact with live pins could result in a fatal electric shock, particularly if the person handling the adaptor has wet hands.

Other problems raised questions about claims being made on product listings. Six universal Travel Adaptors were advertised as offering surge protection, yet internal examinations reportedly found no surge-protection device. All eight universal models also failed dimensional and mechanical-strength requirements, with testing finding that pins could snap inside a socket and leave a potentially live piece behind.

The findings demonstrate why the problem goes beyond a cheap adaptor simply failing while somebody is on holiday. Faulty electrical products can potentially damage expensive phones, laptops and chargers as well as putting users at risk. One universal adaptor sold through Amazon Marketplace had almost 9,000 reviews, including buyer reports that it overheated on first use and damaged a charging appliance, while a reviewer of another model sold through AliExpress alleged that it exploded during use.

Basic Travel Adaptors Also Failed Tests

Problems were also identified among the six basic Travel Adaptors. Inspectors found issues including missing safety shutters, absent fuses, oversized pin holes and adaptors capable of accepting three-pin plugs without providing an earth connection. These defects can expose users to live internal components or remove safeguards designed to reduce the risk of electric shock and fire.

One basic adaptor available through Amazon Marketplace had accumulated more than 1,000 reviews and carried an Amazon’s Choice badge. One buyer reported that the plug fell apart in their hands and said they feared they could have been electrocuted had it broken while connected to the electricity supply.

Fire resistance was another concern. Four universal and two basic adaptors underwent specialist laboratory testing of their plastic casings, and all six failed the glow-wire test. Sections caught fire rather than resisting ignition or self-extinguishing within the required period, meaning poor-quality casing materials could potentially contribute to the spread of a fire following an electrical fault.

The latest findings follow a similar investigation less than a year earlier that identified 15 dangerous travel adaptor models across TikTok Shop, Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Wish.com. All four platforms involved in the latest investigation said the products identified had subsequently been removed from sale.

What Should Travellers Check Before Going Abroad?

For consumers, the most useful response is to inspect Travel Adaptors before packing rather than discovering a problem after arriving overseas. Warning signs can include loose or damaged pins, cracks, scorch marks, signs of overheating, missing safety shutters, visible internal components and universal adaptors that allow several sets of pins to extend simultaneously.

Alex Dyer, Managing Director at Ski Famille, said: “Buy the adaptor before travel, confirm the plug type used at your destination and retire any unit with loose pins, cracks, scorch marks or signs of overheating. If the casing or seller details look questionable, do not take the chance.”

UK travellers should consider choosing Travel Adaptors from established brands and reputable retailers and check that products sold for the UK market meet the relevant BS 8546 requirements. Safety markings should not be treated as an absolute guarantee, however, as markings and certification claims can be copied onto poorly manufactured products.

It is also important to remember that a travel adaptor changes the physical plug connection but does not convert voltage or frequency. Travellers should check the electricity supply at their destination against the rating printed on their device or charger. Many modern chargers accept a range such as 100–240V, but equipment designed for a single voltage may require a suitable converter or transformer.

For families travelling with several phones, tablets and chargers, Travel Adaptors may seem like one of the least important items in the suitcase. The latest testing suggests they deserve a little more attention: checking an adaptor before departure takes only a few minutes and could prevent damaged equipment, electrical faults or a far more serious accident while away.

Sources: Electrical Safety First’s July 2026 travel adaptor investigation, current traveller safety guidance, BBC reporting and the Department for Business and Trade product safety consultation. Checked 5 August 2026.