Warning over 'dangerous' online fan lights

The device screws into a bulb holder instead of a hard wired base

Screw fit fan lights bought online have prompted warnings from a fire service, an electrician and a council over potential fire risks.

Ashley Waines, an electrician who works in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, said the devices also posed a shock risk and fitting one could have "catastrophic" consequences.

South Holland District Council said people may have purchased them in the the recent bouts of hot weather and urged consumers not to install the combined bulbs.

"People don't really understand the risk and dangers of having them until it's too late."

Mr Waines said he encouraged customers to let him remove the fans when he identifies them

Mr Waines, 38, has been an electrician for more than 20 years in Bridlington and said he had seen a worrying increase in people self-fitting screw fan lights bought online.

"One of my friends' parents had bought one online and called me to me to say it had been making a vibrating noise, like a knocking," he said.

"That's how I found out she'd installed it herself."

He said he quickly went to the property to remove it as he feared it posed a fire risk.

According to Mr Waines the screw fitting of the fan is not able to hold its weight so it can begin to spin loose within the fitting.

"Then it creates a heat contact on the short so it would basically melt," he explained.

"There's a fire and shock risk."

Janet Greatorex had purchased four of the fan lights to try to cool her home in the recent warm spell

Recently, Mr Waines visited Janet Greatorex in Bridlington to remove a screw fan light she had purchased.

Ms Greatorex she said she had bought the fan online for £7.99 and had four in her home.

"I bought it because of the warm weather," she said.

"I didn't know it wasn't safe."

South Holland District Council said their electricians had attended "more and more potentially dangerous electrical incidents" within council managed homes.

"We understand that the weather is warm and may be unbearable for some however the use of readily available fan lights is putting people at risk."

South Holland District Council wanted to alert people to potential risks of installing the devices

The council said the motion of the device could cause wires to twist, break and snap.

"This will not only short the electrical circuits causing you to lose power, but could potentially cause a fire if it is not identified and made safe," the authority said.

"As a result, we ask that residents do not install these devices."

This fan was bought online for £7.99

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said although they had not responded to any recent incidents caused by screw fan lights they could be problematic.

"We recognise that if installed incorrectly, or where they are not supported, they could present a fire risk," a spokesperson said.

"All electrical products should be purchased from a trusted retailer and be installed, used, and maintained following the manufacturer's instructions and guidance."

Mr Waines said he was concerned about how heavy some of the fans he removed were and feared the damage one could do if it fell from the fitting.

"If you have a you have a young toddler underneath, it could hit your child on the head."

He advised people to buy ceiling fans through official vendors and ensure the fan has a product safety number as well as a CE certificate.

He said anyone who has already installed a cheap self-fitted screw fan light should remove it.

"It could be catastrophic the outcome if people aren't aware of the dangers."

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