More than 100 items, including chairs, sofas, and flame-effect cabinets, have been destroyed after being deemed unsafe during a trading standards investigation in South Shields, UK. North Tyneside Council launched the inquiry following a complaint about unlabelled furniture being sold in the area.
Photo: Dreamstime.
Testing revealed that many of the items, including highly flammable furniture, lacked appropriate safety labelling. Additionally, electric flame-effect cabinets were found to have unsafe plugs, raising further safety concerns. Councillor Karen Clark, responsible for public health, emphasised that such items could have 'devastating consequences' if used in homes.
The trader involved, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly 'voluntarily surrendered' the unsafe stock. Items destroyed included 27 sofas, 24 armchairs, 48 dining chairs, three bed bases, three mattresses, and 14 flame-effect cabinets.
A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council urged residents to exercise caution when purchasing furniture and appliances, advising them to check for safety labels, CE or UKCA markings, and proper instructions to ensure items meet safety standards.
This case highlights the importance of vigilance in identifying potentially hazardous goods, as well as the risks posed by unsafe or poorly labelled products.
Source: www.bbc.com