NSW Fair Trading has stepped in to stop over 250 dangerous gas heaters from being sold in Sydney this winter.
Fair Trading Commissioner, Rose Webb said the move following targeted operations which included a Western Sydney warehouse, with the prohibited heaters presenting serious and even fatal risks including housefires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
“During the operations across Sydney’s Flemington Markets and a Guildford factory unit, Fair Trading inspectors seized 10 cabinet heaters and prevented over 250 prohibited and non-compliant gas fuelled heaters being sold,” Ms Webb said.
She said inspectors found two traders selling cabinet heaters which are prohibited for sale in NSW.
‘These heaters pose a major safety risk as the flame is so close to the gas bottle.”
She said the raids followed a warning from Fair Trading in April about four different types of open-flued gas space heaters that had failed safety testing.
“In extreme cases, when gas heaters are faulty, unmaintained or a space is poorly ventilated, they may emit toxic carbon monoxide and other nondetectable but lethal gases,” Ms Webb said.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause chronic illness or death and it is therefore vital that people have their heaters checked regularly and continue to have them serviced by a licensed gas fitter every two years,” she said.
“People must also remember that products designed to be used outdoors should never be used inside, especially those using coal and other flammable materials in confined spaces.”
Ms Webb said that information such as warning labels must be supplied with certain products, so that consumers are aware of any usage risks.
She said that tips for keeping safe in winter were available on the internet.
The national product safety website can be accessed at this PS News link.
