 has warned that doing this poses a serious safety risk. Water near electrical items is a dangerous combination. If the liquid comes into contact with the fan's motor it can not only damage the device, but risks electric shock to anyone nearby too. Another danger is that it adds extra weight which can short-circuit the fan. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at the organisation, said: "Yet again, we are seeing TikTok influencers who are demonstrating 'heat hacks' with their fans which are potentially unsafe. "Placing a freezing towel on a plugged-in fan could destabilise the device and cause it to fall over, causing the blades to hit the guard and put the motor under pressure, and could even break the device altogether. "The biggest risk comes from the towel, which would eventually thaw and become sopping wet. "Water and electricity do not mix and, by copying this hack, water could come into contact with the motor or the plug and its socket, increasing the risk of an electric shock." The charity has previously warned of the danger of hanging bags of ice near fans as they pose a similar risk. Another hack of putting a bowl of ice in front or behind fans has become popular too. Social media posts show people claiming that it creates an air conditioning effect for free. While the hack is less risky because the ice is at a distance from the fan, the ex){kind=link}
ANYONE hoping to stay cool in the hot weather with a popular fan hack could be putting themselves in danger.
Experts have warned that viral trends on TikTok showing DIY ways to make the devices more effective could instead pose a major risk.
The hack involves taping a frozen towel to the back of a fan. Tiktokers claim that it makes the air cooler.
But Electrical Safety First (ESF) has warned that doing this poses a serious safety risk.
Water near electrical items is a dangerous combination.