They may serve as inexpensive, easy-to-use bed warmers but consumers are being warned about the dangers associated with wheat bags after several incidents in Glen Innes and elsewhere.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Fair Trading commissioner Rod Stowe said concerns particularly about the supply of child-appealing plush toys containing wheat-filled heat bags had been referred to the national Product Safety Consultative Committee.
“These products are available nationally ranging in price from $8 to $20 and in child-appealing characters including a lady bug, cow, duck, tiger, pig, hippo, giraffe and puppy dog,” he said.
“There are a number of companies importing such products and they are marketed for children and therefore this is a risk of them being given to children to take to bed to keep them warm.
“There is a real risk these products could be used contrary to the manufacturers’ instructions, which in most cases are in fine print on the packaging. Furthermore, there is also a risk for people from non-English speaking backgrounds who may not fully understand the dangers associated with wheat bags and the use of them in bedding, especially for children.”
Mr Stowe said Fair Trading would continue working with suppliers to ensure public safety and he recommended people pay heed to advice provided by Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on wheat bag fire hazards and safety tips.
NSW Fair Trading and FRNSW are developing a public education campaign highlighting the fire risks associated with the use of microwaveable personal warmers, with particular reference to risks for the elderly and young people. This follows recommendations by the NSW Coroner relating to the death of an elderly woman in NSW in 2011.
Locally, microwaved wheat bags were determined by Glen Innes fire authorities as the cause of a recent house fire, although police investigations continue.
Glen Innes station commander Matt Goldman said the occupant reported microwaving two wheat bags and placing them in her bed before showering, only to return to find the bedroom on fire.
“Wheat bags have a short life,” he said.
“If they start to smell a bit burnt, they’re ready to be replaced.”
Cmdr Goldman said the bags are heated by microwaving the moisture in the enclosed grains. Once the moisture is exhausted from repeated use, the bags are more liable to self-combust.
For more information and fact sheets about wheat bag safety go to www.productsafety.gov.au, www.fire
.nsw.gov.au or www.tga.gov.au.