The Consumer Council is warning people to stop using any fans that make strange noises, emit odours or have broken casings, after some on sale in Hong Kong failed the watchdog's safety tests.

This comes a day after the government urged people not to use two models of Imarflex and Sanshin air circulator fans because of a manufacturing defect which means they don't meet fire resistance standards.

In its monthly magazine, the council says it recently tested 12 such fans and eight of them had safety issues, including four with insulation problems that could increase the risk of an electric shock.

There was a danger that children could get their fingers caught in one of the fans, the council added.

It also noted that not all fans work equally as well, finding that those with larger blades generally move air around better.