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A key aspect of the work of Trading Standards, is promoting and ensuring Product Safety. On this page you will find guidance and resources to help you make informed purchases, and information on getting help if something goes wrong.

Concerned about a product you have already purchased?: Visit our comprehensive list of the latest Food and Product Safety Recalls

   

Blind /Curtains
Blind and curtain cords pose a potential hazard, particularly for young children. Guidance on how to reduce the risks is contained within our Guidance Notes (34KB - pdf help). It also contains links to further sources of information covering blind cord safety.

Buying Electrical Items?
The Electrical Safety Council has produced this handy Safe Shoppers Guide to assist consumers in making wise purchases and a useful guide to checking the Safety of Chargers (210KB - pdf help)

CE Marking, what does it mean to Consumers?
The mark is a declaration that a product will meet the essential requirements set out in the EU directives applicable to that product, such as Electrical equipment and Toys. The EU commission have guidance on the mark for consumers on their website.

Child Accidents
The Child Accident Prevention Trust has free advice on how to prevent accidents, on their website.They are the UK’s leading charity working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents.

Child car seats
For car seats to be effective in protecting your child, they need be suitable for the right weight/age of your child and fitted correctly. Devon County Council’s Road Safety Team can check your child’s car seat is correctly fitted in your vehicle and offer advice for free, see child in car safety.

Electrical Blankets
When choosing your electric blanket, you should buy it from a reliable source. Check that it has a UK safety standard mark. This is a symbol that means the blanket has been independently tested and meets the latest UK and European safety standards. Further detail on electrical blankets can be found on the directgov website.

Fireworks Safety
The Department for Innovation and skills (BIS) has a list of useful resources on the safe use and sale of fireworks.

Need advice on Age Restricted Products? Information on the sale of alcohol tobacco knives and explosives as well as details of our ongoing work in this area.

Prams and Pushchairs: For advice on buying a pram or pushchair see our comprehensive advice leaflet.

Toy Safety Guidance for Parents: What to look for when buying toys, safe use of toys, markings on toys and other useful advice can be found here (14KB - pdf help).

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents: Are a registered charity and have been at the heart of accident prevention in the UK and around the world for more than 90 years.They promote safety and the prevention of accidents at work, at leisure, on the road, in the home and through safety education.More information can be found on their website