Over 250,000 hot water bottled have been recalled across the country, after ACCC tests on 30 different hot water brands found over half failed mandatory safety standards.
According to ACCC deputy chairman, Peter Kell, out of 30 brands tested, 18 did not comply with the standard which requires, “acceptable bottle thickness and stringent quality levels relating to leakage, seam strength and pressure.”
The blitz followed the rise in severe burns resulting from hot water bottles splitting, leaking or bursting.
“A surprisingly high number of people have been scalded – some very seriously – because of faulty hot water bottles or accidents involving hot water bottles,” Kell said.
In NSW, 111 people were treated at a severe burns unit for hot water bottle scalds from January 1, 2006 to August 18 this year, and in Victoria, more than 70 burns were treated over the same time.
According to the ACCC website, the following brands have been recalled:
- ‘Cuddly’ hot water bottles, imported and supplied by Evolve Lifewares Pty Ltd and trading as Wardellian, sold nationally by Big W and Mitre 10 stores.
- ‘Dr Hot’ water bottles, imported and supplied by Sales Net Distribution Pty Ltd, sold nationally by Woolworths’ supermarkets.
- Home Master Brand 2 litre hot water bottle supplied by P.J. Sas Trading Pty NSW.
- TRS Trading Group Pty Ltd hot water bottle sold in ‘The Reject Shop’ stores.
- H1304 2 litre hot water bottle supplied by New Global International Pty Ltd in NSW.
- A Stillwater hot water bottle sold in NSW.
Further tests are being undertaken. For more information, please visit www www.accc.gov.au
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