Faulty USB device dangers continue to emerge as NSW Fair Trading keeps targeting traders in the wake of Sheryl Anne Aldeguer’s death

A TEENAGER escaped serious injury after a faulty USB charger gave him an electric shock as safety fears about ­unapproved electrical goods continue to mount.

A TEENAGER escaped serious injury after a faulty USB charger gave him an electric shock as safety fears about ­unapproved electrical goods continue to mount.

It is the second report of a close call from a faulty USB ­device since mother-of-two Sheryl Anne Aldeguer was electrocuted in April.

In the latest case, a 13-year-old boy’s mother rang NSW Fair Trading on Monday to alert them after reading about Ms Aldeguer’s death last week.

WHY FAKE IPHONE CHARGERS ARE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE.

News_Image_File: The mother-of-two pictured here with husband Luigi Aldegu. News_Image_File: Sheryl Anerne Aldegu was electrocuted by a faulty USB charger not approved for use in Australia.

“(The boy) had it connected to the power point behind the bed and he pulled the charger out of the power point but the casing must have dislodged from the frame,” a Fair Trading spokeswoman said yesterday. “He touched the live wires that were exposed and he ­received a shock.”

The teenager’s mother ­immediately threw out the charger, bought from a reputable retailer as a present.

News_Image_File: Fair Trading is continuing to crack down. News_Image_File: Unapproved USB phone chargers can be extremely dangerous.

Ms Aldeguer’s death has triggered a Fair Trading crackdown on vendors selling unapproved electrical goods.

A boy, 14, escaped serious injury on June 20 when a cheap USB iPod charger exploded, narrowly missing his head.

Inspectors have raided shops, market stalls and ­importers in Sydney, Wollongong and Dapto on the south coast over the past three days. A DVD shop in Sydney’s Chinatown was raided ­yesterday after The Daily Telegraph found unapproved USB adaptors.

News_Image_File: Fair Trading assistant commissioner John Tansy at DVD shop Fashion Rich in China Town that is selling un-approved electrical devices. Picture: Justin Lloyd

 Fair Trading assistant commissioner John Tansey seized more than 30 unapproved adaptors, which were being sold for about $3 each.

“If we come back and find the shop owner doing it again it’s game on,” Mr Tansey said.

The shop owner, who gave her name as Mo, said she had bought them in Hong Kong while on holiday.

“I sell that one at (Paddy’s) market,” she said. “In the market, so many sell them.”

All electrical devices sold in Australia must have a safety mark indicating they have been approved by Fair Trading or an equivalent body in ­another state.
News_Image_File: Daily Telegraph journalist Sarah Crawford purchased an unapproved USB phone charger from Al Nahrayn Pty Ltd, a convenience store in Bankstown.

Mr Tansey said those without safety markings from Fair Trading could be dangerous. A common ­approval mark is a tick inside a triangle followed by the manufacturer’s logo.

“Look for the compliance mark. If it’s not there, don’t buy it,” he said. “You just don’t meddle with electricity.”A list of acceptable approval marks can be found on the Fair Trading website.