The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued simple tips to ensure consumers stay safe when warming up this winter.
“As the cooler weather sets in, hot water bottles, wheat packs, electric blankets, winter pyjamas and heaters come out. These products pose safety risks if not used properly or if they are faulty and have been recalled,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
The most common injuries associated with these products involve burns, with other risks from faulty electrical products including overheating, electric shock, and fire.
Hot water bottles can cause burns if placed directly on the skin when not wrapped in a towel or fabric cover. These types of burns are serious and happen gradually. Also, when hot water bottles are not made or used properly, they can burst or leak, potentially scalding the user.
“Throw out your hot water bottle every two years, or earlier if it starts to show signs of wear. The rubber in hot water bottles can perish from the inside out so you may not be able to see that your hot water bottle is worn and needs to be replaced. Use warm, not boiling water, when filling hot water bottles and examine them for leaks before using. Always use a hot water bottle cover or wrap the bottle in a towel or fabric to prevent the bottle being in direct contact with the skin,” Ms Rickard said.
“If you use a wheat pack, always follow the heating instructions on the label. Do not heat in your microwave for longer than recommended, as this could cause the wheat to ignite and start a fire. Don’t use wheat packs to heat your bed – a hot water bottle is a better choice for this.”
“If faulty, electric blankets can overheat, cause an electric shock, spark and potentially cause a fire. Almost 400,000 potentially faulty electric blankets were recalled last year. Check the Recalls Australia website www.recalls.gov.au to make sure yours isn’t one of them. You can also download the free iPhone or Android Recalls Australia app to ensure that none of your warmers have been recalled before winter starts,” Ms Rickard said.
“Children’s nightwear is regulated by an ACCC mandatory safety standard, which requires garments to have a fire danger label. This is a very important warning because children can suffer severe burns if their nightwear catches fire. Parents and carers need to be aware that children’s clothing with a ‘low fire danger’ label is still flammable. Always keep children away from open heat sources such as fire places and gas stoves.”
“Faulty heaters can overheat, cause an electric shock, spark and potentially cause a fire. Additionally, if heaters are placed too close to furniture or if clothes or other items are placed on a heater, the heat could cause the item to ignite. Over 41,000 potentially faulty heaters were recalled last year so check to make sure yours isn’t one of them. Do not place heaters too close to furniture in your home, or place clothes on your heater.”
Top winter product safety tips from the ACCC:
- Never use boiling water to fill your hot water bottle and replace it as soon as it starts to look cracked or worn. The ACCC has a hot water safety video on the Product Safety Australia website and on YouTube
- Only buy wheat bags or other heat packs that come with clear heating instructions, and never overheat your bag as this could cause the bag to ignite and start a fire
- Before winter starts, carefully check that your electric blanket is in good condition and make sure it has not been recalled
- Children’s clothing with a ‘low fire danger’ label is still flammable so always keep children away from open heat sources
- Do not place heaters too close to furniture items in your home, or place clothes on your heater
- Download the free iPhone or Android Recalls Australia app to see if a winter product you plan to use has been recalled
The ACCC’s winter safety tips are available at www.productsafety.gov.au/wintersafe
For further information visit www.productsafety.gov.au, www.recalls.gov.au. Follow us at www.twitter.com/ACCCProdSafety or find more information via ACCC's Product Safety Facebook Page or YouTube channel ACCC Product Safety.