WorkSafe has issued a prohibition order banning the sale and use of a common bathroom heater.
The ban has been issued after "several fires and overheating events" were linked to the Serene Classic S2068 wall-mounted heater.
In a statement on the WorkSafe website, the authority said there is a significant risk of people being seriously harmed and property being damaged from the heaters.
Owners of heaters with impacted serial numbers are being told not to use it and if it is installed in a property - an electrician should make sure it is safe by isolating it from the supply and have it disposed of safely.
Impacted serial numbers are:
- VH145173 – VH147003
- VK154294 – VK160567
- WF167045 – WF168874
WorkSafe says it is aware of two other Serene bathroom heaters, S2069 and S2070T, that have also been recently tested and did not comply with safety standards.
"We are actively considering what further action needs to be taken in respect of these products."
The safety message is also being shared by Fire and Emergency. With instructions on what to do if you have an impacted heater being posted to the Counties Manukau Fire and Emergency Facebook page.
The Consumer Guarantees Act guarantees that products must be of acceptable quality, including safe to use. Where a product is unsafe — or doesn't meet mandatory product safety requirements — you have the right to a refund, repair, or replacement.
MBIE suggests consumers who have this heater return it to the supplier they purchased it from to discuss the most appropriate remedy under the Act.
The heaters can no longer legally be sold.
