Cheap USB warning: Woman found dead after apparent electrocution
Yahoo7 and Agencies June 27, 2014<object id="flashObj" classid="clsid
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Cheap USB warning: Woman found dead after apparent electrocutionSheryl Anne Aldeguer. Credit: Facebook
A young woman from the NSW Central Coast has died in an apparent electrocution after using a cheap USB-style charger.
It is understood the woman, named by Fairfax as mother-of-two Sheryl Anne Aldeguer from North Gosford, was holding a laptop, and wearing headphones.
It was reported the woman was found dead while wearing headphones, with burns on her ears in April but a mobile phone business now faces prosecution over the incident.
Speaking to Fairfax, Fair Trading Director Lynelle Collins said: "The voltage seems to travel up through the faulty charger into her phone and she was wearing earplugs and also operating a laptop which was also plugged into a power point.
"So the [electricity] travelled back down through the earphones to the laptop and into the power point."
Fair Trading authorities say chargers that do not meet Australian standards have been removed from sale from a stall in Sydney's south-west.
A young woman from the NSW Central Coast has died in an apparent electrocution after using a cheap USB-style charger. Photo: Supplied
They say they have only just become aware of the large number of chargers, made from low-quality plastic that can melt.
"Certainly since I’ve been Commissioner I’ve never seen previous reports of this sort," NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said.
Commissioner Stowe said there was a "real and present danger" with electrical items that are not approved to Australian standards.
"We've been trying to hammer that message for some time, but I suppose this is a bit of a wake-up call," Mr Stowe said.
Fair Trading authorities say chargers that do not meet Australian standards have been removed from sale from a stall in Sydney's south-west. Photo: Fair Trading
"These devices pose a serious risk of electrocution or fire."
The Campsie trader faces fines of up to $87,500 and two years' imprisonment, meanwhile a corporation can be fined up to $875,000.
Consumers who have already bought unapproved and non-compliant USB-style chargers, used to charge phones and tablets, are advised to bend the pins on the chargers and throw them away immediately.
For more information contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
