NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: Warning over electronic cigarettes

Mansfield and Ashfield residents using electronic cigarettes are being warned about the potential dangers of using chargers that are not supplied with their device at the time of purchase.
Nick Frame with electronic cigarette.Nick Frame with electronic cigarette.
Nick Frame with electronic cigarette.

The warning follows an increase in complaints to Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team about fires or overheating problems caused by batteries and chargers for electronic cigarettes.

It is believed that fires can be caused when a different charger is used with the product which has a different voltage and current to those designed for it.

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Users are also being advised not to use a charger which does not easily plug into an electrical socket as there is a risk of being electrocuted, overheating or damage to the socket and charger.

Officers are visiting and advising sellers of electronic cigarettes in the county on product safety and labelling advice.

Councillor Glynn Gilfoyle, chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s community safety committee, said: “Mixing and matching different chargers with electronic cigarettes can result in damage to your home or cause serious injury.

“We are advising users to check the instructions thoroughly if they need to get a new charger for their electronic cigarette to assess whether it is suitable for their product.”

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The Electrical Safety Council has produced an ‘Electrical Chargers – A Buyer’s Guide’ that can be downloaded for free from their website at www.esc.org.uk

Local residents with complaints about an e-cigarette charger should contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.