Possibly lethal hot water bottles seized

SUFFOLK'S trading standards officers have seized a consignment of potentially lethal hot water bottles at the Port of Felixstowe.

SUFFOLK'S trading standards officers have seized thousands of potentially lethal hot water bottles at the Port of Felixstowe.

Officers ensured the consignment was stopped from entering the country, but are concerned that more may be in circulation.

It is believed as many as 4,000 hot water bottles were confiscated by the county council's trading standards' department.

The consignment is said to have been imported from China.

The cargo was detained on November 27 so it could be tested for safety.

It was finally seized on December 3 once the testing had been completed.

Reg Ruffles, Suffolk's assistant county trading standards officer, said; “The fact that the team have stopped these from entering the country is a great result but our concern is that similar products are known to be on sale via internet auction sites.

"People may use these items thinking they are safe but they may receive an electric shock if the product leaks.

“Our tests on the water bottles stopped at the Port of Felixstowe show that the product does not meet safety requirements, as electrodes are used to directly heat the water.

“We advise anyone who has purchased an electric hot water bottle not to use it and contact trading standards for further guidance.”

If you have purchased an electric hot water bottle please contact Suffolk Trading Standards on 01473 264859.