Product safety reportOPSS
String Lights, G40 sold on Amazon safety warning over a fire risk
Product Safety Report for String Lights, G40 sold via Amazon presenting a high risk of fire.
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.
2 identifiers listed for this notice.
String Lights, G40 sold on Amazon
- BarcodeThe long number printed under the barcode.
- X001I4L59Z
- ModelOn the rating label, base, back or box.
- HCP086-E12-25L-IN
What to do now
String Lights, G40 sold on Amazon has been flagged because it could start a fire in the home.
- Unplug it and do not charge it again.
- Store it away from anything that burns until you can return or dispose of it. Batteries should go to a battery recycling point, not the household bin.
- The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
Why it matters. Faulty chargers, batteries and appliances are a common cause of house fires. A fire can start while the product is charging or switched on and nobody is watching.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- make sure you have working smoke alarms
Get help urgently
- if it starts to smoke, smell of burning or catch fire, get everyone out and call 999
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
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme.
Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2312-0134). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for String Lights, G40 sold via Amazon presenting a high risk of fire.
The risk
The product presents a high risk of fire as the plug fuse did not meet the requirements of BS1362. The length of the fuse was too small and the diameter of the endcaps was too large. The endcaps were insecurely fixed and the fuse had not been provided with any granular filler to ensure the safe operation under fault conditions. The lights were marketed as being for outdoor use but had not been marked appropriately and did not have protections from the potential ingress of water or moisture. The instructions were deemed inadequate as they did not provide sufficient information to ensure proper installation, use and maintenance. Some of the required documentation and markings were not present.
The product does not meet the requirements of Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, or the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.
Action taken
The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed. The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (Amazon)
Advice to consumers
The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed. The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (Amazon).
Additional information
PSD case number: 2312-0134
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Black string lights packaged in a brown cardboard box.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has String Lights, G40 sold on Amazon been reported?
String Lights, G40 sold on Amazon has been flagged because it could start a fire in the home. Faulty chargers, batteries and appliances are a common cause of house fires. A fire can start while the product is charging or switched on and nobody is watching.
How do I know if my product is affected?
Compare the barcode and model 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 and do not charge it again. Store it away from anything that burns until you can return or dispose of it. Batteries should go to a battery recycling point, not the household bin.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
Where was String Lights, G40 sold on Amazon sold?
The notice names Amazon. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
