New appeal to trace faulty gas cookers

THE NATIONAL Consumer Agency has renewed its appeal to locate some 3,000 gas cookers that could potentially cause carbon-monoxide…

THE NATIONAL Consumer Agency has renewed its appeal to locate some 3,000 gas cookers that could potentially cause carbon-monoxide poisoning.

It is the third time the agency has issued an appeal in connection with specified makes and models of gas cooker which have a separate oven and grill.

It says that using the grill with its door shut can cause extremely dangerous levels of carbon-monoxide to be produced, leading to injury or death.

“The manufacturers have made a number of attempts to date to trace these cookers. However, over 3,000 remain untraced,” said agency chief executive Ann Fitzgerald. “We are again appealing to all consumers to check their cookers.”

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The affected cookers were manufactured by Beko, Flavel, Leisure and New World, although not all cookers carrying these brand names are of concern.

Ms Fitzgerald urged people staying in holiday homes to check the cookers, and called on landlords who may be renting to students to check their appliances “as many of the cookers involved were entry-level models, and may have been purchased by landlords for rented accommodation”.

There have been at least six deaths in the UK and Ireland linked to the faulty appliances.

Anyone who might have one of the cookers is advised to immediately contact the manufacturer to arrange for a modification to be made which is free.

Conor Pope

Conor Pope

Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor