Inspections carried out by officials of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) have led to the identification of non-compliant night-lamps and insect killers.

Mains socket-outlet mounted night-light, as those illustrated, are non-compliant because they lack overload protection (fuse). Such night-lamps are also non-compliant because they are child- appealing.

The most common non compliance in night lamps is that these devices do not have a mechanical lock on the shade preventing access to the bulb or other live parts even by children. This leads to exposure of the bulb when the lamp is still connected to the mains supply posing an electrocution hazard.

Another potentially hazardous product found on the market in Malta is the electric insect killer. Electric insect killers are dangerous because these operate by building up electric charges of several hundreds of volts and release it when something hits their electrified grid.

This is the same principle used in producing stun guns for personal protection. Even more dangerous are such products whose shape could be appealing to children as the one illustrated.

MCCAA urges consumers to watch out for defective products and to always keep in mind that any electrical appliance should be provided with the correct terminals. The appliance in the picture is displayed with a 2 pin plug (shucko plug). Such a product should be sold with a suitable 3-pin adaptor plug, in conformity with electrical installations used in Malta.

MCCAA warns economic operators from placing these products on the market. Should such non- compliant products be found on the market, the retailer and/or importer may be liable to legal action.

For any queries or notifications of unsafe products one can contact the Market Surveillance Directorate within the Technical Regulations Division of the MCCAA on 23952000.

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