Are you bringing your own electricals to halls?

Don't buy them cheap!

Buying cheap, uncertified electrics and chargers puts the university and its students at a high risk of fires, severe shocks and device failure - which you don't want during crucial deadlines! We understand that as a student you want to save money wherever you can, but instead of buying cheap products, you can use apps like UNiDAYS to find great student deals and offers on technology.

Let's go through the risks...

Fire Hazards & Electric Shocks

Chargers and power adapters convert high-voltage electricity from your wall into a much lower, safer voltage for your devices. But if they're cheap:

• Voltage regulation fails, sending too much or too little power to your device
• Electrical isolation is weak, meaning voltage can leak into your charging cable.
• Overheating is common, increasing the risk of sparks and smoke.

In a nutshell, a cheap charger might shock you, fry your phone, or worse - start a fire.

Batteries & Short Lifespans

Many cheap electronics rely on low-quality batteries that can degrade quickly, overheat or even explode. That's why you hear horror stories about knockoff wireless earbuds catching fire or budget smartphones becoming dangerously hot.

And because these products are built cheaply, they don't last long - leading to the next big issue: e-waste.

Academic Risks

Low-cost, unbranded laptops or hard drives use cheap components that fail fairly quickly. This can lead to losing all of your university notes or half-finished assignments the night before a deadline, causing massive stress.

What you can do

The best way to protect yourself, the planet and the university is to be more intentional about the tech you buy. Here's how: 

• Buy from trusted brands: If it seems too cheap, there's probably a reason.
• Check for BSI: Make sure your item is British Standards Institution-approved. You'll often see a service quality trademark, which is also known as a 'Kitemark'.

To read more about electrical safety in halls, check out our ResLife page.