LONDON, UK – Cheap electric heaters sold on online platforms Temu and Tiktok have been found to pose serious safety risks, prompting the removal of the hazardous items from sale. Consumer group Which? conducted a study that revealed these winter essentials, priced as low as £7.20, were potential fire hazards and could cause electric shocks.
The study found that a portable heater sold on Tiktok, as well as another identical one sold on Temu, posed explosion threats and had poor electrical connections, making them unsafe for use. Additionally, other products advertised on these platforms were also found to be poorly built, with missing evidence of safety certification.
The concern was heightened as these online marketplaces simply replaced the dangerous heaters with similar listings after removing them from sale. This raises questions about the legal responsibility of online platforms for the safety of products they host, as the liability for unsafe and illegal products is often passed to sellers.
With a combined 11 million UK consumers purchasing from these platforms, the safety of products advertised on them is a matter of significant concern. Which? called for greater legal responsibility to be placed on online marketplaces to prevent dangerous products from ending up in people’s homes.
Both Temu and Tiktok have taken action to remove the hazardous items from sale and have expressed regret over the safety issues identified in the products. They have also emphasized the importance of customer safety and stated their commitment to addressing such concerns promptly.
In light of these findings, it is evident that there is a need for more stringent measures to ensure the safety of products sold on online platforms. The incident raises important questions about the regulations and responsibilities of online marketplaces in ensuring consumer safety.