Primus Australia Trading As Companion BrandsPortable Camping Butane Heater
PRA number: 2015/15015 Date published: 19th November 2015
Product information
Product description
Portable Camping Heater designed for OUTDOOR USE ONLY, requires disposable 220G Butane Gas Cartridge for operation.
Identifying features
Companion COMP243 (Available in various camping stores from 01.03.15) and Adventuridge 41480 (Available for sale in ALDI Stores from 21.03.15). The model number can be found on the data label located on the side of the appliance. The manufacture date label is located on the inside of the gas cartridge enclosure.
What are the defects?
If not used strictly according to manufacturers instructions, there is a danger to public safety.
What are the hazards?
Consumers may be at risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning if appliance is not used in compliance with the manufacturers instructions - OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
Consumers should stop using the product immediately. A replacement unit is currently being tested and finalised. Consumers can register to receive a replacement unit. For further information, please call Companion Brands Customer Service Line on 1300 555 197 and select option 3 (warranty) or Email: productsafety@companionbrands.com.au.
The same occurred with those little butane single/dual burner cookers.The recall certainly affected the $price. When on special Bunnings were putting 'em out at $15 - $18. Most retailers now have similar cooker units around $38 and higher. That's the price for safety which is fair enough.
PeterD said
09:10 PM Nov 22, 2015
Those little cookers were over $30 long before they dropped to the sub $20 price range. The local Bunnings had them below $30 last Friday.
Delta18 said
10:11 PM Nov 22, 2015
WTF??? The problem for the recall is that "if not used according to manufacturers instructions it could be dangerous"!
This probably applies to just about every appliance - accessory ever built.
Methinks there is more to this recall.
Cheers Neil
dorian said
03:01 PM Nov 23, 2015
Delta18 wrote:
WTF??? The problem for the recall is that "if not used according to manufacturers instructions it could be dangerous"!
This probably applies to just about every appliance - accessory ever built.
Methinks there is more to this recall.
Those were my thoughts as well.
That said, I do remember a story on one of those current affairs programs on TV where a dog owner washed his dog with a dog shampoo that was beyond its expiry date. He claimed that the shampoo killed his dog. One would normally expect that such a product would simply lose its efficacy after the expiry date rather than becoming toxic. Clearly the manufacturer would be entitled to claim that the product was not used according to instructions but perhaps manufacturers have a legal or ethical responsibility that transends the usage information on the label or owner's guide.
Another case would be children's toys. The manufacturer has an obligation to ensure that a toy does not harm a child if used inappropriately. It is not sufficient to put a warning on the package.
I even came across a rawhide bone whose packaging information warned that a dog had to be supervised when eating it to ensure that the bone did not become a choking hazard. I dismissed this warning as ridiculous, but when I went to check on my dog, I did indeed find that the last part of the bone had wedged in her jaw. I had to pry it free with my fingers. How can a product even be offered for sale if it is known to be hazardous?
-- Edited by dorian on Monday 23rd of November 2015 03:09:51 PM
hako said
09:07 PM Nov 23, 2015
If I remember correctly, the cookers were not subject to a recall as such but they were illegal to sell. Similarly with the heaters it is not a full recall as we have one of the affected heaters (Aldi) but date of manufacture is not in the narrow time period mentioned. Possibly the dates of affected models is from when they were first found (by the govt) to have a fault???
oldtrack123 said
12:46 AM Nov 24, 2015
hako wrote:
If I remember correctly, the cookers were not subject to a recall as such but they were illegal to sell. Similarly with the heaters it is not a full recall as we have one of the affected heaters (Aldi) but date of manufacture is not in the narrow time period mentioned. Possibly the dates of affected models is from when they were first found (by the govt) to have a fault???
I suggest those are the MODELS that have a specific problem & are believed to have been sold in that time frame & ARE subject to a MANDATORY RECALL
.Have you checked the MODEL NUMBER &DATE on the heater
That is the ones that are believed to be faulty!!!
Might find this list of other gas appliance recalls interesting
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 24th of November 2015 01:11:21 AM
Hylife said
12:17 AM Nov 25, 2015
The recent recalls on small portable gas burners are not for faults per-se, but because they were never given ANY gas authority approval testing before being released to market.
Apon testing it was found that in certain circumstances dumb-@rse users might ignore the manufacturers very specific suggested use and place a wind shroud around their cooker resulting in excessive temperatures being applied to the gas canisters.
Possible result,,,,,, "BOOM".
Meh, another Darwin award for helping to maintain the overall increase in human intelligence by killing off the idiots, but nanny says you have to allow for dumb-@rses, so now all new models have a temperature valve.
Once stocks got distributed the prices are now back to normal for these simple cookers at approx $20
hako said
03:04 PM Nov 25, 2015
oldtrack123 wrote:
SNIP
Might find this list of other gas appliance recalls interesting
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 24th of November 2015 01:11:21 AM
That link sure is interesting - appears the only approved portable cooker is the Gasmate so all the others now freely available are not legal? or is the link not up to date.
By the way, our Aldi gas heater is 2 years old so made before the recall period - has a big
'do not use in enclosed spaces' sign on it.....maybe they forgot to stick the warning sign on the recall ones.
Regards
oldtrack123 said
03:15 PM Nov 25, 2015
Hi Dennis ] I would say THIS shows how recent it is "Companion COMP243 (available in various camping stores from 01.03.2015) and Adventuridge 41480 (available for sale in ALDI stores FROM 21..03.2015). The model number can be found on the data label located on the side of the appliance. The manufacture date label is located on the inside of the gas cartridge enclosure
AGAIN !!! IT IS NOT THAT THEY MAY LOOK A LIKE!! IT IS THE MODEL NUMBER & DATE THAT COUNTS!!!!!!!
ANY made AFTER the DATE the recall was ISSUED are not covered by the RECALL !
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 03:21:34 PM
oldtrack123 said
03:41 PM Nov 25, 2015
Delta18 wrote:
WTF??? The problem for the recall is that "if not used according to manufacturers instructions it could be dangerous"!
This probably applies to just about every appliance - accessory ever built.
Methinks there is more to this recall.
Cheers Neil
Hi Dennis
There are many people who, in their limited wisdom make what they believe are "' minor" modifications to the equipment,or do not see how they use equipment may not be what it was designed for.
Our authorities believe it is THEIR duty to protect both those people& possibly others, from their stupidity.
But @ times I think they have a hopeless task & perhaps it would be better to leave the DARWIN principles solve the problems
It would help a lot if everyone understood that generally ALL our Standards have SAFETY as their MAJOR consideration
Also that MOST recalls are also based on SAFETY concerns!!
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 03:42:56 PM
Primus Australia Trading As Companion BrandsPortable Camping Butane Heater
PRA number: 2015/15015
Date published: 19th November 2015
Product information
Product description
Portable Camping Heater designed for OUTDOOR USE ONLY, requires disposable 220G Butane Gas Cartridge for operation.
Identifying features
Companion COMP243 (Available in various camping stores from 01.03.15) and Adventuridge 41480 (Available for sale in ALDI Stores from 21.03.15).
The model number can be found on the data label located on the side of the appliance. The manufacture date label is located on the inside of the gas cartridge enclosure.
What are the defects?
If not used strictly according to manufacturers instructions, there is a danger to public safety.
What are the hazards?
Consumers may be at risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning if appliance is not used in compliance with the manufacturers instructions - OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
Traders who sold this product
Aldi and various camping stores
Supplier
Primus Australia Trading As Companion Brands
Supplier's web site
http://www.companionbrands.com.au
What should consumers do?
Consumers should stop using the product immediately.
A replacement unit is currently being tested and finalised. Consumers can register to receive a replacement unit.
For further information, please call Companion Brands Customer Service Line on 1300 555 197 and select option 3 (warranty) or Email: productsafety@companionbrands.com.au.
Print
WTF??? The problem for the recall is that "if not used according to manufacturers instructions it could be dangerous"!
This probably applies to just about every appliance - accessory ever built.
Methinks there is more to this recall.
Cheers Neil
Those were my thoughts as well.
That said, I do remember a story on one of those current affairs programs on TV where a dog owner washed his dog with a dog shampoo that was beyond its expiry date. He claimed that the shampoo killed his dog. One would normally expect that such a product would simply lose its efficacy after the expiry date rather than becoming toxic. Clearly the manufacturer would be entitled to claim that the product was not used according to instructions but perhaps manufacturers have a legal or ethical responsibility that transends the usage information on the label or owner's guide.
Another case would be children's toys. The manufacturer has an obligation to ensure that a toy does not harm a child if used inappropriately. It is not sufficient to put a warning on the package.
I even came across a rawhide bone whose packaging information warned that a dog had to be supervised when eating it to ensure that the bone did not become a choking hazard. I dismissed this warning as ridiculous, but when I went to check on my dog, I did indeed find that the last part of the bone had wedged in her jaw. I had to pry it free with my fingers. How can a product even be offered for sale if it is known to be hazardous?
-- Edited by dorian on Monday 23rd of November 2015 03:09:51 PM
I suggest those are the MODELS that have a specific problem & are believed to have been sold in that time frame & ARE subject to a MANDATORY RECALL
.Have you checked the MODEL NUMBER &DATE on the heater
That is the ones that are believed to be faulty!!!
Might find this list of other gas appliance recalls interesting
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energysafety/unsafe-and-dangerous-gas-appliances
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 24th of November 2015 01:11:21 AM
The recent recalls on small portable gas burners are not for faults per-se, but because they were never given ANY gas authority approval testing before being released to market.
Apon testing it was found that in certain circumstances dumb-@rse users might ignore the manufacturers very specific suggested use and place a wind shroud around their cooker resulting in excessive temperatures being applied to the gas canisters.
Possible result,,,,,, "BOOM".
Meh, another Darwin award for helping to maintain the overall increase in human intelligence by killing off the idiots, but nanny says you have to allow for dumb-@rses, so now all new models have a temperature valve.
Once stocks got distributed the prices are now back to normal for these simple cookers at approx $20
That link sure is interesting - appears the only approved portable cooker is the Gasmate so all the others now freely available are not legal? or is the link not up to date.
By the way, our Aldi gas heater is 2 years old so made before the recall period - has a big
'do not use in enclosed spaces' sign on it.....maybe they forgot to stick the warning sign on the recall ones.
Regards
Hi Dennis ]
I would say THIS shows how recent it is
"Companion COMP243 (available in various camping stores from 01.03.2015) and Adventuridge 41480 (available for sale in ALDI stores FROM 21..03.2015). The model number can be found on the data label located on the side of the appliance. The manufacture date label is located on the inside of the gas cartridge enclosure
AGAIN !!!
IT IS NOT THAT THEY MAY LOOK A LIKE!!
IT IS THE MODEL NUMBER & DATE THAT COUNTS!!!!!!!
ANY made AFTER the DATE the recall was ISSUED are not covered by the RECALL !
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 03:21:34 PM
Hi Dennis
There are many people who, in their limited wisdom make what they believe are "' minor" modifications to the equipment,or do not see how they use equipment may not be what it was designed for.
Our authorities believe it is THEIR duty to protect both those people& possibly others, from their stupidity.
But @ times I think they have a hopeless task & perhaps it would be better to leave the DARWIN principles solve the problems
It would help a lot if everyone understood that generally ALL our Standards have SAFETY as their MAJOR consideration
Also that MOST recalls are also based on SAFETY concerns!!
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 03:42:56 PM