Promoting Well Being

Cooker Manafacturers BEKO and GLEN DIMPLEX have issued alerts concerning 17 different models of cookers with a separate grill.

Between November 2008 and January 2009 there have been six deaths. The grills were linked to deaths during an inquest in mid-Kent last week, which followed a similar case in south Yorkshire, and in a probe by the Irish Health and Safety Executive.

The issue relates to the build up of carbon monoxide in the grill while the grill door is shut. It is estimates that there are approx 49,000 units of these cookers in the UK.

Beko states that the models fulfil all UK and European safety regulations and that closing the grill door while using the grill is 'incorrect use'. In the instruction manuals that accompany the cookers, users are warned that such practice could lead to the build up of a fatal quantity of carbon monoxide.

Beko has been working with trading standards officers (TSOs) and has sent letters to about 23,000 customers. The company has also posted safety notices in national papers and on its website.

Beko says that modifying the seal surrounding the grill allows enough oxygen into the grill area to remove the risk of carbon monoxide building up. Beko adds that its engineers have modified 453 cookers a week since early March 2009, and that it plans to continue this.

Belling is part of the Glen Dimplex group. Glen Dimplex are also working with TSOs to ensure all necessary safety measures were in place. The company said that if the cookers were operated in accordance with the instructions, they were safe. All of its products had been tested and met the required safety standards, said Glen Dimplex.

The company says it is reminding owners not to use the grill unless the grill door is open and is contacting customers to offer a modification.

Helpline
Customers have been advised to contact Beko on the freephone customer helpline 0800 342 3049. Customers with Belling models should call 0800 294 3128 to arrange for a free engineer to visit.

The models affected are listed below. Your oven's model number can be found on the rating plate at the bottom of the inside front edge of your oven.

For further information visit: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2009/11/popular-ovens-linked-to-carbon-monoxide-deaths-187935.jsp