Tests on a range of fake chargers found that 98% of them had the potential to cause a lethal electric shock or start a fire.
It's important to be aware of the risks when buying a phone charger. How to Spot a Fake Apple Charger
You don’t need to be an expert to spot the difference between a genuine and fake Apple charger - the guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Text and Markings on the Plug
Look for missing markings (like the CE mark) or spelling errors. These are the easiest way to spot a counterfeit - but beware, as fake products are becoming more sophisticated. Plug pin finish
This can be another fairly obvious indicator of a fake. The finish on a genuine charger is high quality, matte and uniform. On counterfeit chargers the finish is usually glossy or shiny with imperfections. USB Port
The USB port on a counterfeit charger might be upside down, or in a different place. A genuine charger will also have a serial number at the back of the USB port. Materials
Testing has shown that the pins on counterfeit plugs are much weaker than required by the standard. This is typically because they are metal-coated hollow plastic, rather than the solid metal used in genuine products. An easy check for this is to simply flick the largest pin and listen to the noise it makes. A genuine plug will sound and feel solid, while counterfeit products will make a ‘plastic’ noise and feel hollow. Weight
As counterfeit chargers contain few, if any, of the higher quality components required for safety, they are usually significantly lighter than genuine chargers. The charger should weigh at least 40g. Shape and Dimensions
The plug pins on a fake Apple charger may be larger or smaller than a genuine one, and may be positioned in a different place. The easiest way to check is by using the Electrical Safety First plug checker tool.
The 3-point safety check
Plug Pins
•Check that there is at least 9.5 mm between the edge of the pins and the edge of the charger (9.5 mm is about the width of a ballpoint pen). If the distance between the edge of the pins and the edge of the charger is less than 9.5 mm, there is a risk of electric shock when plugging in and unplugging the charger from a socket. •Plug the charger into a socket but don’t switch it on or connect it to your appliance. •Does it plug in easily? If the charger does not easily plug into a socket, the pins may be the wrong size or length, or the distance between the pins may be wrong. If pins do not fit properly into the socket, overheating, arcing and mechanical damage can occur to both the socket and the charger, which can be dangerous.
Markings
•Look for a manufacturer’s brand name or logo, model and batch number. •Check for a CE mark
•Check that the output voltage and current ratings marked on the charger and your electrical device are the same.
•Do not rely on a CE mark alone as a guarantee of safety - it’s simply a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all the safety requirements of European law, but they can be easily forged.
Warnings and Instructions
•Adequate warnings and instructions must be provided. As a minimum, user instructions should provide information on conditions and limitations of use, how to operate the charger safely, basic electrical safety guidance and details of how to safely dispose of the charger when it is no longer required.
Statistics and Facts
•1.8 million phone chargers are bought online in the UK each year.
•Unsafe devices are often made in China for as little as 3p, which means poor quality components. Sometimes these products don't have safety features such as fuses.
•The UK has seen a six-fold increase in the number of counterfeit electrical goods seized over the previous four years. •The value of counterfeit goods seized by councils and the Border Control rose from just over £2.6 million in 2009 to more than £15.7 million in 2012. The most-seized items were chargers.
•A genuine Apple charger contains over 60 individual components, while a counterfeit contains an average of just 25.
Many imported chargers do not satisfy UK safety regulations and can cause serious electric shock, injury or fire.
Suppliers and retailers have a legal duty to ensure that all electrical equipment they sell is safe.
Only 3 weeks to go now! We're looking forward to this being a real community event with all sorts of sports and activities to have a go at.
Medals can be won! As well as the sporty things there's going to be a BBQ, a bouncy castle, an ice cream van, a live band, Tumble Tots (for the under 2s) as well as delicious cakes and other refreshments. There will also be a 'Demelza stall' where you can buy some of their merchandise. Admission is £2.50 (more if you want to donate more) and then all activities are free.
Look out for the posters around the village. If you can identify the 12 different ones then you have the chance of winning free entry on the day.
We'd like to involve as many village clubs and organisations as possible so, if you haven't already offered to run an activity and would like to, please let us know - there is still time. Also we need more helpers for various things so if you're willing to give up 3 hours or so of your time please get in touch.
Don't miss it! Let's see how much we can raise for Demelza!
If you can't be there but would like to make a donation there is a 'JustGiving' page where you can do just that (please see link below).
Michael Johnson, a resident of Upchurch for the past 19 years, sadly died on Monday 30th July 2018, at the age of 74. His funeral service will be held on Tuesday 7th August, 15:00hrs at St. Mary’s Church in Upchurch. The service in the Church will be followed by a burial in the neighbouring burial ground.
There is to be a wake held after the funeral at The BarnYard, Oak Lane, Upchurch.
Mike has specified in his will that there are to be ‘family’ flowers only. These have been arranged. He wished instead for donations to Parkinson’s UK.
32 Minutes Sold and £4515.00 Donated So Far Thank You
Upchurch Parish Council, who look after the church clock, (which is a war memorial) on behalf of the residents of the Parish, have used Parish funds to upgrade and modernise the clock and winding mechanisms in the tower of Saint Mary the Virgin, Upchurch, to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War and as a lasting act of remembrance in helping preserve our War Memorial for future generations of villagers and visitors to enjoy. Local residents and visitors to the village expressed their desire to make a contribution to the work as a way of saying 'thank you' for the sacrifice of those in the First World War.
Pictured above: State of the art changes have made the church clock fit for the 21st century. Click image to enlarge.
Upchurch Parish Council would like to thank everybody who has donated so far, your generosity has been overwhelming. 31 supporters have donated £1000.00 online through the JustGiving crowdfunding page Swale Borough Council has contributed a WW1 Centenary Grant of £750.00 Beckenham Park Residents Association have donated £60.00 The Village Fete Plant Tombola (Judy Oliver) donated £400.00 The Village Fete Clock Restoration Stall raised £75.00 Upchurch Handbell Ringers have donated £500.00 The Village Fete Craft stall (Betty Hazon) donated £63.00 Upchurch Brownies and Guides Strawberry Tea raised £317.00 Upchurch Horticultural Society have donated £150.00 Upchurch Village Fete Committee have donated £1100.00 UpARA have donated £100.00
We're Still Fundraising
Residents can still ‘buy time’ on the clock face, our target is to raise an hour, or put another way 3600 seconds, to say thank you!
Please donate what you can, to reach our target, we would like each second on the face to sell for £2.35, (less than a cup of coffee), we hope you will agree this is a lovely and lasting way to personally say thank you from our generation, to those in an earlier generation who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
The Parish Council's JustGiving page is still online - it's the easy and convenient way to make your donation.
