News

NCA ISSUES URGENT GAS COOKER ALERT

12.10.09

Serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can be fatal. 5,300 affected cookers still to be located. Certain models of the following gas cookers require URGENT modification:

• New World
• BELLING
• Flavel
• Leisure
• BEKO

Dublin, 6th October 2009 - The National Consumer Agency (NCA) today put a call out to locate over 5,000 gas cookers which, in certain circumstances, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. For specified makes and models of gas cooker, operating the grill with the grill door closed can cause extremely dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to be produced, which can cause serious injury or death.

Over 7,500 cookers have been identified as being affected but despite earlier warnings about the dangers and extensive efforts by the manufacturers to contact affected customers, only 2,200 have been located to date. Of those cookers which have been located, the manufacturers have also been experiencing difficulties in making arrangements to call to some consumers and make the required adjustment to affected cookers.

Ann Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the NCA said, “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. Despite the efforts of the manufacturers, including advertising, mail outs with Bord Gáis 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.

“Given the serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the grill is operated while the door is closed, we are urgently calling on consumers to check their cookers today. Anyone who might have one of these cookers should immediately contact the manufacturers and organise for a free modification. It is essential that people do not use the cookers as heaters or for any other purpose than cooking. People who may have concerns can also contact the NCA for information.”

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 (list below)
• If so, contact the relevant manufacturer helpline numbers listed below to arrange for a FREE modification
• Under no circumstances operate the grill with the grill door closed – it must always be in the open position.

These appliances are designed for cooking purposes only and must not be used as a space heater or for any other purpose.

Further information and contact details of the manufacturers can be found on the NCA website www.consumerconnect.ie or call 1890 432 432.

Details on affected cookers

“NEW WORLD” and “BELLING” GAS COOKERS

If you have one of the New World or Belling gas cookers listed below (the model number is shown on the data plate at the bottom front edge of the appliance), please call the Freephone Helpline number 1800 569 569 or log onto www.dimpco.ie.  If you have any doubts about the make/model, please also call the Helpline number.

If your gas cooker was purchased in Northern Ireland, or elsewhere in the UK, there are further cookers affected which are also listed below.

Available for sale in the Republic of Ireland

	Helpline Number 1800 569 569
Make	Model (all operate on bottled (LPG) gas e.g. Calor or Flogas)
NEW WORLD	50 TWLM SV LPG
NEW WORLD	50 WLM WH LPG
NEW WORLD	50 WLM SV LPG
NEW WORLD	50 TWLM WH LPG

Additional make / models available for sale in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK

	Helpline Number 1800 569 569
Make	Model
BELLING	G755    WHITE
BELLING	G755    ANTHRACITE
BELLING	GT755 WHITE
BELLING COUNTRY CHEF	100G    SILVER
BELLING COUNTRY CHEF	100G   ANTHRACITE

“BEKO”, “Flavel” and “Leisure” GAS COOKERS

If you have one of the BEKO, Flavel or Leisure gas cookers listed below (the model number is shown on the rating plate at the bottom front edge of the appliance), please call the Freephone Helpline number 1800 252 925. If you have any doubts about the make/model, please also call the Helpline number.

If your gas cooker was purchased in Northern Ireland, or elsewhere in the UK, there are further cookers affected which are also listed below.

Available for sale in the Republic of Ireland

	Helpline Number 1800 252 925
Make	Model Number (operate on either natural gas or bottled (LPG) gas)
BEKO	DCG8511WLPG
BEKO	DCG8511PLW
BEKO	DG581LWP
Flavel	DCGAP5LS
Flavel	AP5LDWP
Flavel	AP5LDW
Flavel	AP5LDSP
Leisure	CM10NRK
Leisure	CM10NRC

Additional models available for sale in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK

Leisure	AL6NDW
Leisure	CM101NRCP
Leisure	CM101NRKP
Flavel Milano	ML5NDS