The holiday essential that could be a major fire hazard. Urgent warning for holidaymakers this summer

Holiday bags are packed with passports, chargers and gadgets, with one small item most travellers barely think about sitting at the centre of a major safety warning.

Holiday countdown with a hidden hazard

A new investigation has uncovered “highly dangerous” travel adaptors sold on major online marketplaces, with thousands already in use by British and European holidaymakers heading abroad this summer. Electrical safety experts are warning that some of these cheap, universal adaptors bought from Amazon Marketplace, eBay, AliExpress and TikTok Shop could cause serious electric shock, electrocution or even fire in hotel rooms, apartments and villas.

Shocking findings from safety tests

Charity Electrical Safety First purchased 14 travel adaptors from popular online platforms and sent them for laboratory testing with scary results. Every single adaptor failed basic safety checks. In several “universal” adaptors, more than one set of plug pins could be exposed and live at the same time when plugged in, meaning users could accidentally touch up to 240 volts of electricity. Mechanical strength tests showed plug pins that did not meet UK standards, making them prone to snapping off inside the socket. Anyone trying to fish out a broken pin could be directly exposed to live parts.

Basic single‑country adaptors did not fare much better. Some lacked safety shutters, proper fuses or adequate insulation, and several falsely claimed to offer surge protection despite containing no such component. In some fire‑resistance tests, plastic casings ignited or melted under heat, underlining why these adaptors are being described as a serious risk.

Why holidaymakers should care

Travel adaptors are a holiday essential for charging phones, tablets, cameras, beauty electricals and e‑cigarettes. Many travellers pick up a cheap “universal” adaptor online days before flying, often choosing the lowest price or fastest delivery.

Investigators warn that thousands of unsafe units have already been sold to consumers, including one model bought tens of thousands of times worldwide before failing every safety test. A faulty adaptor in your accommodation could spark a fire, damage electronics or give you a violent electric shock while plugging in chargers, all far from home and local medical support.

Online platforms have started removing some of the highlighted listings and affected products are being recalled, yet dangerous adaptors can reappear under new brand names or sellers. That makes caution essential when shopping online, especially during peak holiday season.

Safe buying tips before you fly

Holidaymakers planning trips to Spain, Portugal or elsewhere in Europe can still use travel adaptors safely by following a few practical steps.

– Choose reputable retailers rather than unknown third‑party marketplace sellers, especially for universal adaptors.
– Check that any UK‑style plug on the adaptor matches standard dimensions, includes a proper fuse and does not look smaller or thinner than a normal UK plug.
– Avoid designs where multiple plug systems can be extended at once, safe adaptors should only expose one set of pins at a time.
– Inspect for shutters over the socket holes, a visible fuse and solid, non‑wobbly pins. Loose or cheap‑looking plastic, oversized holes or missing shutters are warning signs.
– Be wary of ultra‑cheap, unbranded universal adaptors that promise “one adaptor for every country” for just a few euros or pounds.

What to do if you’ve already bought one

Anyone who has recently ordered a travel adaptor from online marketplaces should take a moment to check it before packing.

– Stop using any adaptor that feels hot, smells of burning, has loose parts or has already broken a pin in a socket.
– Look out for recall or safety emails from the retailer or marketplace and follow the instructions immediately – usually stop using the product and arrange a refund or replacement.
– If in doubt, replace a suspicious adaptor with a new, branded model from a trusted high‑street or specialist store before travelling.

Holiday memories should be about beaches, tapas, sunsets and family photos, not emergency calls to the fire brigade and medical centre. Spending a few extra euros on a safe, compliant adaptor is a small price to pay to protect yourself.