Caravans and recreational vehicle (RVs) owners are being urged to check for dangerous ‘Suburban’ branded water heaters which may emit deadly carbon monoxide.
Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Delia Rickard said the Suburban Recreational Vehicle water heater could operate using electricity or gas and could produce unsafe levels of carbon monoxide when used in ‘gas mode’.
“Do not use the affected water heaters in gas mode under any circumstances,” Ms Rickard said.
“It’s especially important to check your caravan’s water heater as soon as possible if you plan to go away during the summer holidays,” she said.
“It only takes a minute and it could save the lives of your loved ones.”
Ms Rickard said the ACCC and the Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) were concerned that a large number of deadly heaters remained in caravans and RVs because owners had not yet contacted Coast to Coast for an inspection.
“Coast to Coast Caravan and Leisure has recalled these heaters due to the serious hazards they present,” she said.
“Owners should not take this issue lightly and act quickly.”
She said people could check if their heater was affected by opening the exterior access door to the hot water service, checking the model and serial number located on the right hand side and entering the serial number into the Coast to Coast website.
Ms Rickard said consumers would not have to cover any costs related to the supply and installation of a new water heater, or any required associated work, such as the modification of cavity and gas and/or water lines.
She said Coast to Coast would check every unit, after being contacted by consumers, to ensure the water heater was properly installed and if needed, would replace the unit through a licenced gasfitter free of charge.
The Coast to Coast website can be accessed at this PS News link.
