Since May, all S2068 Serene Bathroom Heaters have been recalled after they were found to have a defect by WorkSafe NZ, which has resulted in several fires. It’s now illegal to use this heater.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has been working with all known suppliers of the heaters, although many are still being used in New Zealand.

MBIE has been made aware of 18 fires resulting from S2068 heaters, at least two of which have occurred in recent months since the recall was first issued.

“Checking your bathroom and seeing if you have one of the recalled heaters in there is the first step in making sure you, and your family’s home, is safer,” says Ian Caplin, business specialist. “It’s incredibly important that these heaters are removed as soon as possible.

“We have heard from suppliers that some people may have chosen to ignore the recall notice after being approached.

“If you have one of these heaters, it’s important to know that these products have been recalled because they can cause serious harm, so they shouldn’t be ignored.”

MBIE recommends those affected should contact the business they bought it from to arrange a return under the Consumer Guarantees Act and for either a safe replacement, if available, or a refund.

If the heater has been installed by fixed wiring users should not remove it themselves and need to arrange with the supplier to hire an electrician.

Fit for purpose

“It doesn’t matter if you rent your home or own it, if you have one of the recalled heaters contact the electrician who installed it, the company you bought it from, or your landlord, and ensure its disconnected and replaced with a safe and fit for purpose model,” Caplin says.

“Landlords are responsible for the heaters they have provided in rental homes they own. Ensuring they are safe is part of that responsibility.

“Suppliers in New Zealand also have a responsibility to provide consumers with a remedy when a product is deemed unsafe, which is why having a recalled product remedied won’t cost the consumer.”