SEIZED goods imported through the Port of Felixstowe have prompted a warning from Suffolk Trading Standards is warning consumers to be on their guard over the festive period against unsafe products from abroad which find their way on to the UK marketplace.

Thousands of goods have been intercepted at Port of Felixstowe by Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team so far this year, and with Christmas approaching the demand for products rises seized.

Since January this year 349,000 consumer goods were checked by Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team at the Port of Felixstowe and were refused entry into the UK because they were unsafe or non-compliant, but some do still slip through the net.

Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said: "The Port of Felixstowe is a huge gateway to the UK and our officers work extremely hard to intercept these dangerous items before they reach the marketplace.

"However unsafe goods can still slip through and I urge the public to be on the lookout for them and to let us know as soon as they come across them."

Examples of products stopped at the Port include:

• 74,565 toys
• 104,983 electrical goods
• 62,815 lighting kits, of which approximately 45% were fairy or Christmas lights, including outdoor lighting
• 38,248 cosmetics
• 8.965 e-scooters
• 30,898 chargers and adaptors
• 2,900 unsafe telescopic ladders

Officers also detained 500 counterfeit 'Dyson' hair dryers. When testing was conducted the products were found to be an electrical shock and fire risk.

The product overheated, did not cut off, started to smoke and both externally and internally the product started to melt.

The plug was incorrectly rated and the fuse fitted did not meet the requirements of BS 1362.

Other products that raised cause for concern were consignments of 300 unsafe air-fryers, 900 pet heating blankets, 3,000 fan heaters and 2,000 unsafe wall chargers.

Many of these products were destined for sale by third-party sellers on online marketplaces.

Cllr Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet member for Public Protection, said: "The work of Trading Standards in trying to keep us as consumers safe from dangerous and shoddily-made goods cannot be praised highly enough.

"The numbers of items intercepted reflects the need for people to be vigilant about what exactly they are buying, particularly online."

When looking for dangerous goods, signs that a product is unsafe or dangerous, can include:

• Faulty wiring in an electronic appliance
• Misleading or poorly spelt labels
• Unclear instructions and/or absence of safety markings

Safety risks for consumers to be aware of include:

 ·                     Small magnets and button batteries that are easily accessed in toys and products that are appealing to children could cause choking and harmful side effects if swallowed

·                     Danger of electric shock or fire risk from unsafe electrical products

·                     Exploding lithium-ion batteries in unsafe e-bikes and scooters

·                     Collapsing telescopic ladders presenting a serious risk of injuries

·                     Banned ingredients found in cosmetic products, such as hydroquinone in illegal skin-lightening creams and non-compliant gel nail kits

·                     Children's clothing that could present strangulation risks

·                     Infant products that could cause suffocation                  

The Government department responsible for Product Safety, The Office for Product Safety and Standards provides the funding for Trading Standards officers to operate at UK ports and borders.

Anyone unsure about the safety of products in England and Wales can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.