Electrical Safety Advice for Headphones

Headphones usage and safety

Headphones are everywhere nowadays as we love to listen to music, podcasts and TV shows on the go. But it is important to be careful of risks when using them.

Modern headphones come in all shapes and sizes, with many of them now wireless and using bluetooth to connect to your phone or smart device.

Ear buds (also known as in-ear) are commonplace for exercising or the daily commute, with larger headphones which enclose the ear remain popular for music lovers and gamers, often with an additional microphone attached.

Many models now come with an active noise cancelling (ANC) feature. This uses a microphone to pick up ambient sound and generates opposite sound waves to cancel the noise.

Key points

Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them.
Only use the supplied charger, or one recommended by the manufacturer.
Store the headphones and charger safely.
Do regular checks of the charger plug and wiring for damage or burn marks.

Buying headphones

Buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the headphones may not have passed all the necessary safety checks.
Although lots of reviews of headphones are posted online, don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers.
Register your headphones 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 headphones safely

Follow the provided instructions carefully and pay close attention to any warnings supplied with the product.
Most modern headphones are USB-powered so it’s important to use a USB charger from a reputable source as there are many substandard, dangerous chargers available.
If your headphones come with a mains plug-in charger, only use that or one recommended by the manufacturer. It must have standard UK plug pins or a UK 3-pin plug fitted with a fuse.
When charging headphones, leave them on a hard, flat surface rather than on bedding or other flammable materials.
Store the headphones in a dry area which is not susceptible to extremes of temperature.
If you are taking your headphone charger out with you, pack it safely. Wires and cables folded often and tightly packed can become damaged. Check regularly to make sure the insulation around cables remains intact.
Keep your headphones in a protective case when not in use, this will prevent damage to the tiny batteries.
Don’t use the headphones if they appear to be damaged, wet, or have been submerged in water. Swelling on your headphones is a sign of battery damage.
While charging headphones, if you notice any odd smells, sparking, smoke, or any swelling, cracks or damage, unplug it immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer.
Don’t leave them charging overnight or when you are out of the house.
Regularly check the charger and/or plug and your socket-outlet for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch.

ALWAYS

Do plenty of research first before buying.
Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer.
Buy replacement chargers from the original manufacturer or reputable retailer.
Keep your headphones in a protective case when not in use.

AVOID

Buying from third-party sellers online.
Charging headphones overnight or while you are out of the house.
Using the headphones if you notice any swelling.
Using the headphones charger 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

When does a periodic inspection need to be carried out?

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

Who should carry out a periodic inspection?

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

My electrician told me that they were registered; however I now believe that they are not, as they have not given me a certificate. What should I do?

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.

Additional info

Headphones work by converting electrical signals from your device into sound waves that you can hear. They consist of drivers, which are essentially small speakers, that produce the audio based on the electronic signals they receive.

It’s important to give your ears breaks from listening and to keep the volume level down at a safe listening level of no more than 85 decibels(db) which is the equivalent of the noise made by heavy traffic or a food blender.

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

Check your appliances

Headphones