Four deaths in the past eight years involving elderly people using lpg cabinet heaters highlighted how unsafe the devices were, coroner David Crerar said in Alexandra yesterday.
He questioned the safety of the heaters during an inquest into the death of 86-year-old Ethel Watt, of Alexandra.
She died at her Alexandra home on June 18 last year because of shock from extensive burns, combined with asphyxia, after her clothing and bandages on her legs were set alight by her close proximity to an lpg cabinet heater.
The evidence included a video of New Zealand Fire Service fire investigation officer Stuart Ide starting the heater used by Mrs Watt.
The heater was on its lowest setting and failed to ignite, but on the second attempt a big blue flame rolled up.
"That's compelling viewing," Mr Crerar said.
An inquest in Dunedin a year ago involved almost identical circumstances and when he had searched the New Zealand coronial services database, he found two other similar cases, in 2001 and 2004.
Both of those cases involved the deaths of elderly people who received burns using lpg cabinet heaters while wearing pyjamas, dressing gowns or bathrobes.
He said a report by the Environmental Risk Management Authority on the safety of such heaters had listed six deaths of people using the heaters and a 2004 report estimated there were about 500,000 of the heaters in use in New Zealand.
Coronerquestionssafety> From Page 1A further study of people who used the heaters found 56% had experienced some form of health or safety issues in the past year, while 2% had received burns or damage to their property.
"I'm bound to observe the inherent lack of safety in these devices," Mr Crerar said.
Consumer magazine had an article this month titled "Time to ban unflued lpg heaters?", which he read out in court.
"We think these heaters should be banned," the article said.
"These heaters have an exposed flame. That means if anything gets too close - furniture, toys, children's nightwear - a fire can quickly start."
Mr Crerar said the pyjamas and dressing gown worn by Mrs Watt were the most fireproof clothing available.
Much emphasis was placed on the flammability of children's clothing but the same attention should be devoted to adults' clothing.
"I'll send a copy [of my findings] to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. It's not just children, we need to protect everyone, particularly our elderly," he said.
Mrs Watt's daughter, Kathy Spain, of Alexandra, said after the inquest she was horrified by the video showing flames when the heater was being started.
"It was horrendous and I was extremely shocked," Mrs Spain said.
"If I'd been aware of this, the heater wouldn't have been anywhere near mum.
"Gas heaters like this are obviously not safe, particularly for the elderly."
