Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz is urging Victorians to watch out for a batch of faulty hot water bottles capable of causing serious burns and injury.

A consumer complaint has unearthed thousands of faulty water bottles from Wens Bros Trading Pty Ltd – which trades from a Hallam retail outlet and a Clayton warehouse. Consumer Affairs Victoria was tipped off by a consumer who was burnt when the seams of a hot water bottle split.

Consumer Affairs Victoria staff subsequently seized more than 4000 faulty ‘Hot Water Bag’ products from Wens Bros Trading Pty Ltd’s warehouse and retail outlet.

Testing conducted for Consumer Affairs Victoria found the products did not have the rubber thickness and seam strength required and failed to meet mandatory safety standards for hot water bottles. The products also carried insufficient instructions explaining how to use them safely.

A product recall notice for the faulty hot water bottles has been published on the Product Safety Australia website.

The public warning follows an earlier recall on exploding birthday candles as well as other toys and novelty products that had been discovered at Wens Bros Trading Pty Ltd.

Ms Kairouz said the ‘Hot Water Bags’ were unsafe and may not be robust enough to handle normal use, and urged any consumer who has purchased the product to immediately stop using it and to return it for a full refund.

Consumers who purchase a hot water bottle should ask the supplier whether the product complies with product safety laws.

This public warning notice is issued under section 228 of the Australian Consumer Law & Fair Trading Act 2012 and enables Consumer Affairs Victoria to take action to warn consumers.

Source: Vic Government