Products and appliances

Shavers

Shavers

Whether it is for your face, head, or legs, shavers are small, portable and easy to use. But as with all electrical appliances, they do come with safety risks. 

There are two main categories of electric shaver and the type you choose depends on your skin and hair type. A foil razor gives a closer shave with minimum irritation. But if you have longer or coarser hair (or simply shave less often), a rotary might be a better option. 

A rotary shaver typically has three circular rotating heads with spinning cutters designed to follow the contours of the body. A foil shaver has a rectangular-shaped head with oscillating blades and a thin metal layer, particularly effective for sensitive skin.  

Many modern electric shavers are designed to be waterproof so they can handle both wet and dry shaving, offering more flexibility and convenience.  

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Key points

  • Shavers must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse. 
  • Keep your shaver unplugged when not in use. 
  • Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn and scorch marks. 
  • Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them. 

Buying a shaver

  • Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the product may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Make sure it is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse. 
  • You will find lots of online reviews of shavers but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers. 
  • Safety features include hypoallergenic foils, protective guards, and self-sharpening blades to minimize cuts. Some models also have auto-shutoff if they detect too much pressure or if the device overheats. 
  • Register your product  so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered. 

Using a shaver safely

  • Only charge the shaver with the adaptor supplied. Make sure you keep the shaver, adapter, plug, and cord dry. 
  • Check the voltage on the adaptor corresponds to the local mains voltage before you plug it in. 
  • Don’t submerge the shaver or adaptor in water, or under running water. If it falls into water, unplug it first before removing. 
  • Keep the power plug and cable away from heated surfaces. Once you’ve finished using the shaver, unplug it. 
  • If you notice an odd smell or any sparking, any cracks or damage, or there are fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping, unplug the shaver immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer. 

ALWAYS

  • Do plenty of research first before buying.  
  • Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer. 
  • Register your shaver with the manufacturer.  
  • Charge a shaver only with the adapter provided. 

AVOID

  • Buying from third-party sellers online. 
  • Submerging the shaver or adapter in water. 
  • Leaving a shaver plugged in after use. 
  • Using a shaver if you notice any damage or sparks. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

A woman cleaning her electric toothbrush

Additional info

Keeping a shaver clean and sanitised is important but only use the right cleaning products according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some waterproof shavers are ok with a cleaning solution, but others can only be cleaned with warm water and soap. Rubbing alcohol can be useful to keep the blades clean.  

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