Guidance

My safety: online shopping

OPSS is leading a fresh campaign to raise awareness of unsafe products sold online, with resources for local authorities, community groups and the public.

From:
Office for Product Safety and Standards
Published
27 November 2025
Last updated
19 February 2026 — See all updates

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is leading a fresh campaign to raise awareness of unsafe products sold online, even sometimes on tried and tested online marketplaces. Resources are provided for use by local authorities, community groups and the public, including a toolkit, leaflet and social media materials. These are aimed at older people in the second phase of the campaign.

Read about things to consider when buying and using products.

Resources: Phase 2

Toolkit

Online shopping safety P2 toolkit (PDF, 2.45 MB, 16 pages)

Leaflet

Social media materials

Messages

  1. Shopping online? / A few simple checks can help you shop safely.
  2. A) Buying online? / Here’s how to shop safely. B) Check the seller: how long they have been selling, their UK contact details, their overall rating. C) Read reviews carefully: look for mention of quality or safety, look for detailed comments.
  3. A) Buying online? / Check the product information carefully. B) Look for recognised safety markings like: UKCA, CE. C) Check the product description for: clear instructions, safety warnings, UK contact details
  4. Product recalls / What to know before you buy online.
  5. Online shopping is safer when you know what to check.

English

Welsh

Resources: Phase 1

The first phase of the campaign was aimed at 16-25 year olds.

Video shorts

Social media materials

Messages

  1. Shopping online? / Not every smart buy is a safe one.
  2. Shopping online? / Stop. Check. Don’t get burnt.
  3. Buying online? / Don’t let a good deal turn into a bad surprise.
  4. Online shopping? / Don’t get burnt.
  5. Buying online? / A hot deal can still burn you.
  6. Online shopping? / That bargain could burn you.
  7. Even the most trusted online marketplaces sometime sell unsafe products that break, spark, or catch fire. / Stay tuned to learn how to shop safe this season and #Don’tGetBurnt
  8. Even the most trusted online marketplaces sometimes sell unsafe products. / Checking takes just seconds. Visit our feed for more info. #Don’tGetBurnt

English

Welsh

Updates to this page

Published 27 November 2025
Last updated 19 February 2026 show all updates

  1. Second phase of the campaign launched, with resources aimed at older people.

  2. Welsh resources added.

  3. First published.

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