A strain on households’ finances caused by the cost-of-living crisis is pushing shoppers to second-hand electrical goods as an alternative to new, according to a consumer safety charity. Electrical Safety First (ESF) say research they commissioned shows more than 40% of consumers are considering buying second-hand electrical items as households continue to feel the squeeze.
More than 2,000 adults were surveyed across the UK as part of the charity’s work to highlight the unintended safety consequences of the cost-of-living crisis as part of its ‘Saving Safely’ campaign. They say findings reveal that of those who had purchased second-hand electrical goods in the last 12 months, more than 1 in 3 said their decision to do so was entirely influenced by the current cost-of-living crisis.
The charity is urging the public to ensure they perform spot-checks of older, second-hand electrical goods. This is because they could present a risk due to damage, years of wear and tear or be subject to a safety recall.
