ACCC warns of dangerous RV water heaters
Australia’s consumer watchdog has warned owners of recreational vehicles (RVs) with Suburban-branded water heaters that the units can be dangerous.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the dual fuel gas/electric water heaters fitted to caravan, motor home or horse campers should have them inspected before hitting the road.
The consumer advocate said more than 50% of the units could emit deadly odourless carbon monoxide if used in gas mode.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause death and short-term exposure can cause serious long-term injuries.
The ACCC said there were more than 8,300 consumers who have not registered their water heaters for a free inspection,” an ACCC media release said.
As the risk of failure is so high, the ACCC is concerned that these owners are not aware of the recall and may use their caravan, motor home or horse campers these holidays without checking if they are safe.
“Consumers should not use the affected water heaters in gas mode under any circumstances, even if they have a carbon monoxide detector,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
“It’s very important to check your recreational vehicle, horse camper or caravan’s water heater as soon as possible as there is a significant risk of injury or death from this product.”
Carbon monoxide is invisible, has no smell, is lethal and cannot be detected.
It is also highly flammable and can explode on contact with a spark or flame.
The water heaters were supplied between 1 May 2018 and 25 September 2019, either new with the vehicle by retailers nationally, or purchased separately online and installed later.
Consumers can check if their heater is affected by opening the exterior access door to the hot water service and reading the model and serial number located on the right-hand side.
They should then enter the serial number on the Coast to Coast website.
If you have an affected water heater, contact Coast to Coast Caravan and Leisure on (02) 9645 7685 or email recalls@coastrv.com.au who will arrange for a licensed gas fitter to inspect it free of charge.
Owners will not have to cover any costs related to the supply and installation of the new water heater.
Owners who have difficulties obtaining a timely remedy should contact Coast to Coast Caravan and Leisure, their state or territory gas regulator or complete an ACCC online report.
Coast to Coast Caravan and Leisure notified a recall for Suburban dual-fuelled Water Heaters on 15 November 2019 due to this deadly hazard. Retailers throughout Australia sold 18,139 of the heaters.
There are 9,600 recalled units still to be inspected. Of these, 1,241 were registered to be inspected and 8,359 are not registered for inspection.
More articles
Related topics
-
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.