The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has stepped up a campaign to locate over 5,000 gas cookers in homes throughout the Republic which it fears could cause lethal carbon monoxide poisoning if not used in accordance with the instructions.
If the grill door on specific models manufactured by Glen Dimplex and Beko is closed when the gas operated grill is in operation, “extremely dangerous” levels of carbon monoxide can build up, the NCA warned this morning.
“There have been six deaths to date in the UK and Ireland linked to this issue and so we are putting a major push on finding the remaining 5,300 cookers,” Ann Fitzgerald, chief executive of the NCA said.
Over 7,500 of the cookers were sold in the Republic between 2006 and 2008 but despite earlier warnings about the potential dangers and extensive efforts by the manufacturers to contact affected customers, just over 2,000 have been located to date.
Of those cookers which have been located, the manufacturers have also been experiencing difficulties in making arrangements with some consumers to make the required adjustment, with some consumers saying they thought manufacturer contacts were a marketing stunt.
“Despite the efforts of the manufacturers, including advertising, mail outs with Bord Gais bills and direct liaison with retailers and consumers to locate these cookers and have adjustments made to make them safe, only 2,200 have been located to date,” Ms Fitzgerald said. She said given the serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, the agency was “urgently calling on consumers to check their cookers today”.
Four models selling under Glen Dimplex’s New World brand and a further nine models made by Beko and selling under the brands Flavel, Leisure and Beko have ben affected. Full details of the makes and contact numbers for the individual companies is on the NCA’s website www.consumerconnect.ie or from 1890 432 432.
Ms Fitzgerald said anyone with an affected model should immediately contact the manufacturers to arrange for a free-of-charge modification to be made. “It is essential that people do not use the cookers as heaters or for any other purpose than cooking,” she warned.
The NCA is urging all consumers with gas cookers, including landlords and letting agents to check if their cooker is one of the makes / models affected and contact the relevant manufacturer helpline numbers listed below to arrange for a free modification. It also says that under no circumstances should people operate the grill with the grill door closed – it must always be in the open position.
