Product safety reportOPSS
Portable Fan Heater sold on OnBuy safety warning over an electric shock risk
Product Safety Report for portable fan heater sold via OnBuy presenting a serious risk of electric shock.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice 
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
1 identifier listed for this notice.
Portable Fan Heater sold on OnBuy
- BarcodeThe long number printed under the barcode.
- 6984635012031
What to do now
Portable Fan Heater sold on OnBuy could give an electric shock. Live parts may be reachable, or the insulation or earthing may not be good enough.
- Unplug it now and put it away where nobody will plug it back in.
- Do not open it up or try to repair it yourself.
- Because the product was found unsafe on an online marketplace, use the platform’s order page to contact the seller.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
Why it matters. Mains electricity in the UK is 230 volts, enough to cause serious injury or death. Cheap chargers, adaptors and appliances sold online are among the products most often found with this fault.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- burns where the current entered or left the body
- tingling, numbness or muscle pain
Get help urgently
- anyone who has had a mains shock and is confused, has chest pain, an irregular heartbeat or burns — call 999. Do not touch them until the power is off
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
A product safety report usually means the product was bought online and the marketplace has removed the listing. Ask the seller for a refund through the platform where you bought it; many marketplaces have their own buyer protection.
If you paid by credit card and it cost over £100, Section 75 may apply; otherwise your bank may be able to raise a chargeback.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2212-0176). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for portable fan heater sold via OnBuy presenting a serious risk of electric shock.
The risk
The product presents a serious risk of electric shock as the plug face did not meet the dimensional requirements of BS 1363 because the live and neutral pins were too close together and would not fit into the plug gauge. The earth pin was sleeved, which is not permitted. The edge of the live and neutral pins were also less than the required 9.5mm from the edge of the plug place, which could allow the user to touch the live pins when removing or inserting the plug face into a socket. The product also drew a greater level of power than the stated 500W and required improvements to markings, labelling and documentation.
The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
Action taken
Warning consumers of the risk. The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (OnBuy).
Advice to consumers
We recommend owners to stop using the product immediately. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (OnBuy).
Additional information
PSD case number: 2212-0176
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Fan heater with direct plug-in to electrical socket, small remote control and instructions manual.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Portable Fan Heater sold on OnBuy been reported?
Portable Fan Heater sold on OnBuy could give an electric shock. Live parts may be reachable, or the insulation or earthing may not be good enough. Mains electricity in the UK is 230 volts, enough to cause serious injury or death. Cheap chargers, adaptors and appliances sold online are among the products most often found with this fault.
How do I know if my product is affected?
Compare the barcode on your product with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the notice.
What should I do now?
Unplug it now and put it away where nobody will plug it back in. Do not open it up or try to repair it yourself.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
A product safety report usually means the product was bought online and the marketplace has removed the listing. Ask the seller for a refund through the platform where you bought it; many marketplaces have their own buyer protection. If you paid by credit card and it cost over £100, Section 75 may apply; otherwise your bank may be able to raise a chargeback.
Where was Portable Fan Heater sold on OnBuy sold?
The notice names OnBuy. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
