Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge today warned people planning barbeques on Australia Day to check gas and electrical appliances for approval labels or certification marks.

Ms Judge said changes in September last year to the regulation of gas appliances in NSW meant all barbeques and small camping gas appliances must be certified to be legally sold.

“I urge people to check their gas barbecues and other small cookers and make sure they are certified and retailers should also be vigilant when selling these goods,” she said.

Fair Trading inspectors undertook checks across the state at the end of last year to clear shops of any uncertified gas barbecues, cook tops, wok burners, cast iron burner rings, kebab cookers, regulators and hose assemblies.

Inspectors visited 26 suburbs and towns and examined 1322 portable gas appliances in shops and markets.

A total of 227 items were found to be non-compliant and were withdrawn from sale.

Ms Judge said of concern were gas appliances directly imported into NSW by suppliers for smaller shops.

“Portable cook tops were found to be the main non-compliant appliance,” she said.

Anyone with concerns can check photographs of non-compliant goods and gas approval marks online or call 13 32 20 for advice.

If people were sold a non-compliant product after 3 September, they should return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Ms Judge said people should also check the website for approval marks for electric barbecues and cookers.

“People should also observe normal safety requirements when using any electrical appliance – check for frayed leads and damaged plugs and don’t use near water, for example too close to pools,” she said.

"Barbeques that use charcoal briquettes, hot rocks or similar products to provide a heat source should not be used indoors or any confined space.

“Exposure to fumes from these products in these circumstances can result in adverse health effects."

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Figure 1 -  Unapproved portable cooker with a non-compliant hose assembly.

Figure 2 -  Unapproved 2 burner BBQ and wok cooker with a non-compliant hose assembly and regulator.

Figure 3 -  Unapproved 2 burner BBQ and cooker supplied without a hose assembly or regulator.

Figure 4 -  Unapproved 1 burner BBQ and cooker supplied without a hose assembly or regulator.

Figure 5 -  Unapproved 3 burner BBQ and cooker supplied without a hose assembly or regulator.