Posted on Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Councillor Anthony Screen wants shoppers to make "informed choices" over the holidays.
A new campaign to promote safer shopping and selling this winter has been launched.
Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council have teamed up with the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) to help people shop safely and support businesses in meeting their responsibilities during the busy holiday period.
With more shoppers turning to online platforms and second-hand sources to find cheaper goods, the risk of finding unsafe or non-compliant products is increasing. At the same time, many small businesses and independent sellers may be unaware of the product safety laws that apply to them.
The campaign provides practical advice for anyone buying or selling goods, whether online, in shops or second-hand.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“The ‘Safe for the Season’ campaign is all about protecting people and supporting businesses.
“We want to help people make informed choices and ensure sellers understand their responsibilities, especially in the run-up to the festive season.
“Our Trading Standards team have seized unsafe electrical items, counterfeit toys without proper safety markings and products lacking traceability. These can all pose serious safety risks, so taking them off the market is our priority.”
The campaign is offering advice on:
- Shopping Online Safely: Tips on identifying reputable sellers, checking for safety markings and avoiding counterfeit or unsafe goods.
- Buying Second-Hand: Guidance on what to look out for when purchasing pre-owned items, especially electricals and toys.
- In-Store Purchases: Advice on age-appropriate labelling, product markings and how to spot potential safety risks.
People can report the sale of illegal, dangerous or counterfeit goods on the Trading Standards Report It webpage or by calling the confidential helpline on 01785 330356