IS YOUR HOME A DEATH TRAP? - Third gadget meltdown in three months

Tag : Air Fresheners
by Annette Lambly
A third Northland fire or safety scare has been caused by aseemingly innocuous household gadget.
Fire safety experts say an electric "plug-in" air freshener isbelieved to have caused a fire which badly damaged a Baylys Beachhouse in Dargaville.
It is the third fire or safety scare involving seemingly innocuoushousehold appliances or gadgets in four months.
In June investigators blamed a dehumidifier for a fire that killed92-year-old Winifred Coxshall at Umawera, 45km southeast ofKaitaia. In August, a Whangarei doctor returned home to discover amelted eco-bulb, which he believes had the potential to burn hishouse down. Northland fire safety officer Craig Bain is warning people toensure manufacturers' recommendations were strictly adhered to.
Keep areas around electrical appliances dust free and well clear ofany furnishings, fabrics or clothing.
"If it's hot to touch, turn it off."
Mr Bain said it appeared overheating from the plug-in appliancecaused the nearby couch to catch alight and the fire to spread fromthere.
Family members praised an alert passerby who noticed smoke about3.20pm and called the fire service.
It has not been determined whether the plug-in was faulty, had notbeen plugged in properly, or had simply over-heated.
"The jury is still out on that," Mr Bain said. He warned people tocheck devices regularly.
"Sometimes they can be knocked, or partially dislodged from thesocket and this could cause heating," he said.
"If the contact is not quite meeting, the power is having to jumpacross the break and this causes excessive energy and heat."
The air freshener devices are marketed for continuous use. However,Mr Bain questioned whether they should be left on. Safety warningson the packet warned against covering or painting over, using ifdamaged or in confined spaces.
The marketing manager for the New Zealand distributor of Ambi-Purair fresheners was overseas when the Northern Advocate calledyesterday.
A spokesperson said the company would refer the matter to him onhis return.
Energy Safety said it was unaware of any fires caused by plug-intype air fresheners in New Zealand.
Yesterday friends and family were helping to move the homeowners'belongings into an empty second house on the same section.
It is understood the house will be repaired.