Cornwall trading standards officers are warning people to be careful when giving beauty products as Christmas gifts this year.

Products without a genuine CE label are not safety compliant, say officers, and they can lead to electric shocks, exposure to unsafe UV levels or can overheat, causing products to catch fire or explode.

Jane Tomlinson from Cornwall Trading Standards said: ’Non-CE marked electrical equipment that is imported from outside the EU is subject to information checks by Cornwall Trading Standards.

’Other approval marks may appear on your electrical equipment but they must not be trusted to declare compliance. Beauty products from the internet, markets or temporary shops may not follow safety regulations.’

Second-hand equipment that has previously been supplied to a customer in the EU and is then re-supplied in the course of business (i.e. charity shops or auctions), are also controlled by the safety regulations. Retailers must only supply safe equipment, for example after PAT testing, to avoid committing an offence.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for communities, Geoff Brown said: ’Following simple precautions and buying beauty products from reputable sources and completing the guarantee card will help to protect everyone as it allows manufacturers to advise consumers of important safety issues.’

Nearly 1 in 10 parents of under-fives admit their child has suffered a serious burn from hair straighteners or tongs. These injuries are responsible for 1 in 20 of all admissions to specialist paediatric burns units.

If you are investing in hair straightener gifts this Christmas you could also invest in a C9/Capt Heat Proof Safety Mat costing just £2 for charity from www.cloudninehair.com.

The DAIO from the-daio.com is a way to store hair appliances whilst they are heating up, during use and cooling down. Prices start from £15.99 plus P&P with money also going to charity from each sale.