A WARNING over dangerous phone chargers has been issued by Monmouthshire council’s trading standards officers.

Officers have used a grant from the electrical safety council’s fire safety fund to pay for a range of chargers and electrical engineers to check they comply with UK safety legislaton.

Tests were carried out to look at the possibility they may pose a risk of fire, electric shock or damage to property but engineers found the majority were safe and problems mainly concerned the labelling of the devices.

To help raise awareness, leaflets and posters have been produced and distributed to make consumers aware of the risks caused by poor quality and counterfeit chargers.

These offer tips and hints for prospective buyers and provide advice and information on consumer rights if things go wrong.

Officers have also visited a range of shops and market stalls across Monmouthshire, offering practical advice aimed at helping businesses meet their obligation to sell safe chargers.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for trading standards, Cllr Giles Howard said: “Too many tragedies have been reported recently after cheap, inferior products - sometimes packaged to look like officially branded chargers - have been purchased by unassuming consumers.

"It is crucial that consumers are able to avoid using such equipment and for businesses to be aware of their obligations and ensure that such accessories are not distributed.”