Title: Beware! Deadly CO Alarms being Sold for Cheap on Amazon and eBay
Description: Consumer champion Which? has issued a vital warning regarding the sale of ‘unsafe’ carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. These alarms, available on popular online platforms like Amazon and eBay for as little as £5, have been found to fail and not always detect the presence of the deadly gas. This article sheds light on the alarming situation and urges readers to ensure their CO alarms are purchased from reputable manufacturers and retailers.
Article:
Unsafe models of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, unbranded and made in China, are being sold online for as little as £5. This has raised an urgent concern as these alarms fail to activate in the presence of the poisonous gas, according to consumer champion Which?. Inhaling high levels of CO, a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas, can lead to severe symptoms such as muscle pain, personality changes, and even death.
The five ‘unsafe’ CO alarm models, all unbranded and made in China, have been labeled as ‘Don’t Buy’ products by Which?. One of the models, which operates on batteries, was brought to eBay’s attention by Which? seven years ago. Shockingly, Which? found that 88 sellers listed the same alarm on AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, and Wish. Another unbranded CO and smoke alarm failed to trigger 22 times and was listed by 22 eBay sellers. In total, Which? discovered 46 listings of the unsafe alarms on AliExpress, 42 on eBay, 41 on Wish, and 20 on Amazon.
In a separate test conducted by Which?, an unbranded alarm failed to sound in 15 carbon monoxide detection tests and was not loud enough to meet their standards. This model was available for sale from six sellers on Amazon and eBay. The recent tests also revealed that this particular CO alarm failed to respond to carbon monoxide ten times out of 28 tests and was too quiet when it did sound.
Disturbingly, Which? discovered 149 listings of unsafe CO alarms across four online marketplaces, which have now been removed. It was found that at least 1,311 dangerous alarms were purchased from eBay by families trying to protect their homes inexpensively.
Avril Samuel, the founder of the memorial trust set up in memory of her daughter, Katie Haines, who died of CO poisoning at home, expressed concerns about the carbon monoxide alarms being sold online, particularly those originating from China. Samuel emphasized the importance of purchasing CO alarms only from reputable manufacturers and retailers. She stressed that compromised alarms pose significant risks and could have fatal consequences. According to Which?, carbon monoxide poisoning has resulted in over 200 accidental deaths in England and Wales in the last decade.
In light of these findings, Which? is calling on the government to establish new regulations prioritizing consumer safety. They are also urging for stricter enforcement actions against online marketplaces that violate these rules.
Ensure the safety of your loved ones by investing in carbon monoxide alarms from trusted sources and spreading awareness about the dangers of CO poisoning. Don’t compromise on quality when it comes to protecting your home.
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