Government extends interim ban on unsafe ethanol burners

The Palaszczuk Government has extended the interim ban on the sale of unsafe ethanol burners.

The interim ban will now be extended by another 30 days, which all other Australian states and territories are also implementing.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said Queensland, along with all other Australian states and territories, banned the sale of certain types of ethanol burners in December last year following an increase in serious injuries from the devices.

“Since 2011 there had been at least 117 incidents associated with ethanol burning devices in Australia, including 38 in Queensland,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“These devices have caused numerous explosions and flash-back fires and the Palaszczuk Government has extended the interim ban to ensure the safety of Queenslanders, pending further investigation for a possible nation-wide ban.”

Mrs D’Ath said the Queensland Office of Fair Trading had not received any reports of people being injured by these burners since the interim ban was issued in December.

“Since the interim ban was imposed, product safety inspectors from the Queensland Office of Fair Trading have worked closely with traders and visited over 100 retailers,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“More than 60 unsafe ethanol burners have been removed from Queensland shelves.

“However, if anyone purchased small portable ethanol burners prior to the interim ban, I urge them to reconsider using the devices.”

The interim ban applies to devices designed for domestic use producing a flame using alcohol as fuel, primarily for decorative purpose, excluding the following:

• those with a power output of more than 4.5 kW; or
• those that require installation in a fixed position; or
• those designed for food warming.

The Office of Fair Trading will continue to enforce the interim ban in Queensland while the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission considers a national ban on unsafe ethanol burners.

Anyone who sees unsafe ethanol burners or other banned items for sale in Queensland is encouraged to report it to the Office of Fair Trading by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

For more visit www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading.

ENDS

Media contact: Pam Frost 0437 696 809