Shopper's warning over Kmart's $10 summer gadget: 'Be careful'

With summer quickly approaching and the weather heating up, Aussies have begun turning on their air conditioners, bringing their pedestal fans out of storage, and looking for new ways to stay cool. Following the popularity of their bladeless portable handheld fan, Kmart has recently introduced a new gadget that shoppers are calling a “must-have” for the holiday season.

The retailer’s over-shoulder light-up fan is designed to keep the user cool while wearing it around your neck. In addition to being completely hands-free, the fan has colourful light-up effects, three-speed modes and a rechargeable built-in battery - which is included with purchase.

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One shopper recently posted about it in a popular Facebook group and described it as “seriously awesome”, adding: “It’s so handy for walks, working in the garden, sporting events etc PLUS it keeps the flies off your face when on the highest setting!”

Shopper urges others to 'be careful'

While others commented that they were running to Kmart to buy one for themselves, one shopper warned people to “be careful” after she burnt her neck using a similar product from Aldi.

The woman tells Yahoo Lifestyle she purchased a neck fan from Aldi’s Special Buys last summer and began to “smell a burning smell” during use one afternoon.

“I didn't realise it was the battery section at the back of the neck fan until it burnt my neck and started smoking,” she details. “It wouldn't turn off and was stuck in the on circuit for about one minute which at this point had started smoking.”

She says she contacted Aldi immediately and urged the retailer to recall the item, and was told that she would be contacted soon as they awaited a response from the supplier.

“About a month later I still hadn't heard anything or seen a recall so I posted on an Aldi Facebook page and still wasn't contacted, but I never followed up either,” she adds. “I just threw out the fan and have been sceptical about buying another.”

Advice for purchasing an adjustable neck fan

The woman’s biggest advice for shoppers looking to buy a similar fan would be to “make sure there is no smell coming from the battery section”.

Aldi’s adjustable neck fan, which was USB rechargeable, first hit stores in December 2021 but is not currently available.

Yahoo Lifestyle understands that ALDI is aware of this customer’s feedback and has communicated with them. Customers can return any product they are not satisfied with for a refund or replacement.

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Kmart's 'warning' online

Kmart’s over-shoulder light-up fan comes with a rechargeable lithium built-in battery and has a manufacturer warranty of 12 months. The website warns shoppers to keep the fan away from hair and jewellery and urges them to follow usage instructions carefully.

“Battery cannot be subjected to high or low extreme temperatures, low air pressure at high altitudes during use, storage or transportation,” the description reads.

Yahoo Lifestyle has contacted Kmart and Aldi for comment.

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