It's finally summertime; the days are longer, the mornings are brighter, and drinks are colder. Many of us will be buying new items to take us through the summer months, such as sunglasses, new makeup, sun tan lotions, and even a new phone charger to take on holidays.
But how do you know you're getting the real deal? Buying a bargain is always tempting, but if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Fake goods may seem a cheap alternative, but many are harmful and could cause injury, sometimes severe.
Fake designer sunglasses may not contain UV protection and can do more harm than wearing no sunglasses at all. Counterfeit sun cream may offer low or no protection from the sun's rays, and bargain electrical goods such as phone chargers may not be manufactured to high standards, and can overheat, catch fire or electrocute.
Some fake makeup can contain items you'd never want to put near your skin, such as mercury, or even rat droppings, and can cause nasty reactions.
Is it a bargain or is it potentially harmful? Here's a few tips to help you be safe when buying online.
- Check the address on the product
If there is no address or just PO box number, it could mean that it is counterfeit.
- Compare the price
If the product is a fraction of the cost of trusted brands, it is likely to be fake.
- Examine the product
Is the label and logo correct? Genuine products have standardised logos, fonts and colours. Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors can also indicate fakes.
- Fake electrical goods may be missing parts or may not have safety certification on the label or the product.
Check for product registration cards and the manual. Check model numbers on the manufacturer's website. Fake goods often have model numbers not listed on genuine manufacturers websites.
Remember, just because you can buy it, doesn't mean it is safe.
Check out the Intellectual Property Office which has information on how to combat counterfeit goods.
You can support the campaign on Twitter by using the hashtag #StaySafeSummer and there are posters and leaflets you can download below. These are in two formats: 'print ready' for use by professional printers and 'ready to use' which can be produced on a standard copying machine.
For professional print
Print ready poster 1 (PDF, 250KB, 1 page)
Print ready poster 2 (PDF, 580KB, 1 page)
Print ready poster 3 (PDF, 360KB, 1 page)
Print ready poster 4 (PDF, 957KB, 1 page)
Print ready poster 5 (PDF, 524KB, 1 page)
Print ready poster 6 (PDF, 649KB, 1 page)
Print ready poster 7 (PDF, 420KB, 1 page)
Print ready poster 8 (PDF, 862KB, 1 page)
Print ready leaflet 1 (PDF, 473KB, 2 pages)
Print ready leaflet 2 (PDF, 784KB, 2 pages)
For immediate use
Immediate use poster 1 (PNG, 284KB)
Immediate use poster 2 (PNG, 493KB)
Immediate use poster 3 (PNG, 376KB)
Immediate use poster 4 (PNG, 634KB)
Immediate use poster 5 (PNG, 374KB)
Immediate use poster 6 (PNG, 515KB)
Immediate use poster 7 (PNG, 426KB)
Immediate use poster 8 (PNG, 621KB)
Immediate use leaflet 1 side 1 (PNG, 148KB)
Immediate use leaflet 1 side 2 (PNG, 152KB)
Immediate use leaflet 2 side 1 (PNG, 241KB)
Immediate use leaflet 2 side 2 (PNG, 140KB)
