Derry Council Warning Over 'Dangerous' Cookers

Derry City Council has issued a call to locate some models of gas cookers which, it says can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Certain models of BEKO Leisure and Flavel cookers with a separate oven and grill can, if they are not operated in accordance with the user instructions, produce dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide which poses a serious risk to your health or death," a statement from the Council said.

The Council said a number of gas cooker models have been identified as being affected but a number have yet to be located.

In addition to previous alerts from Derry Council, the manufacturer has indicated that all models converted to LPG (bottled gas) after purchase which were manufactured before 2009 are included in this warning and require a modification to remove any risk.

"We are concerned about this issue and would like to encourage anyone who has bought these cookers to get in touch with the manufacturer," the Council said.

"Given the serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the grill is used while the door is closed, we are urgently calling on consumers to check their cookers today."

Derry City Council’s Environmental Health department is urging all consumers with gas cookers, including landlords and letting agents, to check if their cooker is one of the makes and models affected.

Residents who do own one of the specified cookers have been asked to contact the manufacturer helpline number to arrange for it to be modified free of charge.

The alert covers a number of Beko, Flavel and Leisure models. Details of the affected models, including helpline number and link to the relevant manufacturer website, can be found on the Council website.

(IT/CD)