Over 3,000 potentially lethal cookers remain untraced

August 16, 2010

The National Consumer Agency today issued a call to locate more than 3,000 gas cookers, which in certain circumstances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Despite a major media campaign last year, at least 3,000 of the more than 7,500 cookers sold since 2003 have yet to be located.

For certain models of Beko, Flavel, Leisure and New World gas cookers with a separate oven and grill, operating the grill with the grill compartment door closed can cause potentially fatal levels of carbon monoxide to be produced. At least six deaths in the UK and Ireland can be linked to this issue.

Free safety inspections

Consumers can arrange for a free safety inspection and modification by calling the following numbers:

• For Beko, Flavel and Leisure cookers, freephone 1800 25 29 25 (9am-8pm Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm Saturday-Sunday)
• For New World cookers, freephone 1800 569 569 (9am-5pm Monday-Friday)

The Chief Executive of the NCA, Ann Fitzgerald, explained: “The manufacturers have made a number of attempts to date to trace these cookers, however over 3,000 remain untraced.

“We are again appealing to all consumers to check their cookers. With the holiday season in full swing, we are urging people staying in holiday homes or mobile homes to check the cookers.

“We would also call on landlords or letting agents, who may be renting their accommodation out to students, to check the cookers in their premises as many of the cookers involved were entry-level models, and may have been purchased by landlords for rented accommodation.

“We would also urge people to bring this warning to the attention of elderly relatives and neighbours and, ideally, do the check on their behalf.”

What to do

The NCA is urging all consumers with gas cookers to:

• Check if your cooker is one of the makes / models affected (see list below)
• Contact the relevant manufacturer helpline numbers, if you have one of the affected models, to arrange for a FREE modification
• Do not under any circumstances operate the grill with the grill door closed – it must always be in the open position
• Use the cookers in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and do not use them for any purpose other than cooking

“The remaining cookers pose a serious threat, so we’re urgently calling on consumers to check if their cooker is affected and to contact the manufacturer’s helpline to arrange for the cooker to be made safe,” Ann Fitzgerald said.

A nationwide leaflet drop by An Post, on behalf of the manufacturers who are still trying to trace the remaining cookers that have not been inspected and modified, is taking place during the month of August.

Affected models

The models affected are:

Beko models:

• DCG8511WLPG
• DCG8511PLW
• DG581LWP

Flavel models:

• DCGAP5LS
• AP5LDWP
• AP5LDW
• AP5LDSP

Leisure models:

• CM10NRK
• CM10NRC

New World models:

• 50TWLM SV LPG
• 50WLM WH LPG
• 50WLM SV LPG
• 50TWLM WH LPG

 

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