Cheap unsafe chargers flooding the UK

The last thing we want is for you to get zapped by your DS, so if you live in the UK, stop what you're doing, and check the serial numbers on all your chargers. The BBC says a vast number of unsafe chargers for mobiles, game consoles, and music players found their way into the UK and are now being sold online and in shops for half the price of a safe charger. One brand in particular can overheat and cause electrocution, according to the article.

The news comes after trading standards officers studied chargers imported from China and found that many were not safe. Some of the chargers in question may even have fake CE safety marks, and pins that don't fit properly into UK sockets which causes overheating and even electrocution if the wires become detached. These questionable chargers are being sold online for £5 and £6 in shops, which is less than half the price safe chargers retail for.

If you have a charger with item number DE62347066, you should probably stop using it immediately. Many others haven't been identified since they have no code, but Nintendo has apparently already issued a warning about chargers for the DS and DS Lite gaming consoles, so you might want to check out their website or contact them directly if you have questions.

Trading standards officers are working on a recall, but you should inspect your chargers, and if you have doubts, stop using them immediately.

Unsafe chargers 'flooding' the UK (BBC)