ABOUT a million potentially lethal butane "lunchbox" gas cookers
may
still be in circulation, a government minister has warned.
The compact cookers, popular among caravanners and campers, are at the
centre of a new safety warning after recent explosions put four Queenslanders in
hospital.
A family was hospitalised and a childcare worker escaped serious injury in two separate incidents.
A 33-year-old man died last year after receiving 100 percent burns when
his caravan erupted in a ball of fire after a butane cylinder exploded at
Casino's Glen Villa Resort in NSW.
A Queensland Government minister has now pleaded with people to get rid of
the cookers before someone else is killed.
"Anyone who bought one of these butane gas lunchbox cookers manufactured
before July 2015 should stop using it and dispose of it," State
Development and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said.
"They are potentially lethal and many models were recalled last year.
"I am now expanding that warning to any cooker manufactured before that
date, when manufacturing standards changed."
'Put the safety and the safety
of your family
and friends first'
|
He urged people to check the compliance plate on the sides or underneath
the cookers.
"Put your safety and the safety of your family and friends first," Mr
Lynham said.
"Dispose of it, spend the $20-$25 for a new one and be safe rather than
sorry."
The so-called "lunchbox" cookers use a butane gas canister which should
eject when the canisters overheat.
Many models were recalled nationally last year because safety mechanisms
had failed to operate.
Dr Lynham said about a million of the cookers were believed to still be in
circulation throughout Australia. Thousands were delivered to Rockhampton
after the 2015 floods cut electricity supplies to households.
The latest warning is being circulated among caravan, camping and boating
groups and retailers.
Dr Lynham said the potential hazard was amplified because the cookers were
so common.
"They are compact and inexpensive and are in caravans, boats, garages and
sheds across Queensland," he said.
People should always be very careful with butane cookers and other
portable gas appliances.
They should always be used outdoors and never in confined spaces such as
tents, caravans, boats or cars where explosive gas and lethal carbon
monoxide levels could build up, the minister added.
