A further warning has been issued over recalled heaters that are still installed in New Zealand homes which pose a fire risk.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has urged people to check on any bathroom heaters they have and remove them if they are included in last year’s Serene heater recalls.
It added the heaters are a “significant risk to lives and property”.
A year since the recalls were issued, MBIE said it is aware around 28,000 Serene S2068 Heaters are still in properties across the country, despite the recall and a “prohibition to use” notice.
“So far, since the recall was announced last year, around 16,000 heaters have been decommissioned by electricians or returned to the store they were bought from,” said MBIE spokesman Ian Caplin.
Despite the “fantastic figure”, Caplin said MBIE hopes to see the figure rise.
“We know over Christmas there were two fires because of these heaters, and as the heaters get older and the known issues inside them get worse, and as we get into colder months, we are likely to see more and more fires occur.”
“Don’t let the next fire be in your home. We urge you to check your bathroom, your parents’ bathrooms, your rentals, your hotel or motel’s bathroom, wherever you find yourself. If you find a S2068 Serene Heater, turn it off, don’t use it, and contact the supplier it was bought from.”
MBIE said it has worked with stakeholders such as Master Electricians to improve the information available around the recall, both to New Zealand households, and to the electricians and suppliers who are undertaking the recalls.
“We have also discussed the recall with the Insurance Council who have advised that a fire that occurs from these heaters may not be covered by your home insurance if you do not act on the recall guidance, so keeping them in your homes not only risks lives, but your savings too.
“We’ve heard from our overseas counterparts that they only see around 20% of the products returned when a recall is issued. The fact that we have almost 37% returned really highlights the work being done, but also the need for more people to make sure they are checking their bathrooms.”
To check if your heater was included in the recall, and what other models pose a risk, visit the Consumer Protection website.
