Even though the winter season is drawing to a close and spring is knocking on our door, many of us are still relying on our reliable heaters to keep us warm throughout the damp and chilly days that lie ahead.

However, we must inform you that some heater models are being urgently recalled; if you possess one of these heaters, you should immediately disconnect it from power and return it to Bunnings.

This popular heater has been urgently recalled by Bunnings due to concerns that a malfunction could result in significant harm or even death.

The retail giant called for a nationwide recall of the 2000W Mill Electrical Convection Panel Heater because there were worries that the power cord wasn't properly attached to the unit and could come loose.

The result could be an electric shock or a fire that could be fatal.

The Arlec Australia Mill Electrical Convection Panel heaters are reportedly unreliable and unsafe. Credit: Bunnings.​

The units in question have the brand name Mill, and the following are the affected models:

• white colour, model number AUSG2000LED, Bunnings item number 0289325
• black colour, model number AUSG2000LED BK, Bunnings item number 0289326

The heaters have been sold at Bunnings for more than a year, from July 5, 2021, until July 20, 2022. The affected brand and models are exclusive to Bunnings, and customers can return them to any of the hardware giant's locations for a full refund.

Soon after the recall was announced, Bunnings put out a statement from Director of Merchandise Jen Tucker.

'Following a recent heater review conducted by CHOICE, we've been working closely with our suppliers to further investigate claims relating to the Mill 2000W Convection Heater,' said the official.

'We conducted additional third-party accredited testing of the units, which found some units did not meet the cord anchorage performance standard. This is clearly an unexpected outcome given that the original third-party accredited testing undertaken by the suppliers, and our final random inspections of stock, indicated that both heaters met the applicable safety and performance requirements.'

'Due to this inconsistency in the cord anchorage testing results, we are supporting the supplier with a recall of the heaters and have withdrawn them from sale,' she confirmed.

'We take our commitment to product safety and quality incredibly seriously. We continue to work with our suppliers and relevant authorities on this matter to ensure that our heaters continue to meet our requirements relating to compliance, safety and performance.'

If you own the heater in question, you should unplug it right away and return it to Bunnings. Credit: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz.​

This comes at a time when electric heaters are becoming increasingly important to Aussies as the wet and chilly weather continues.

Better Renting conducted a study showing that 70% of rental properties fell below the 'safe temperature' of 18 degrees Celsius, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In June, CHOICE looked at 15 different electric heaters and found that six of them didn't meet their standards. Three of them were convection heaters, with the Mill's heater being one of them.

The other two convection heaters that failed safety testing were built by Click and Noirot, along with two ceramic tower fan heaters from Goldair and one from DeLonghi.

To determine how readily each heater may be knocked over and how quickly its tilt switches or thermal cut-out features activate when they do, CHOICE's safety testing includes a 'tilt stability test'.

Aside from testing power cords and surface temperatures, testers also placed towels over the heaters to check if doing so would harm the fabric or the heaters themselves.

The findings served as a timely warning for Australians to choose a reliable model and use heaters responsibly because they can be dangerous if left unattended at home.

These are the other heaters that failed CHOICE's safety inspections. Credit: CHOICE.​

CHOICE heating expert Chris Barnes also pointed out, 'It's also worth being wary of particularly cheap heaters.'

To prevent customers from mistakenly leaving heaters on overnight or when they were not at home, the consumer group highly advised purchasing a heater with a timer and an automated shut-off.

Each of the defective heaters has been reported by CHOICE to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which collaborates with producers to decide whether items need to be recalled.

Members, please check the models of the heaters you have in your home as soon as you've finished reading this post! You can never be sure enough, so it's always best to check right away.

If you have one of the affected models, you should unplug it right away and return it to Bunnings for a full refund.

Remember to use caution and take care!

 

[WADuck]

Wish this article would have come at start of winter.