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Health Canada warns of garden torches dangers

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | 04:47 PM ET

Health Canada is warning consumers about the potential fire and toxic hazards of outdoor garden torches because some may not be properly labelled.

Decorative outdoor torches are potentially dangerous to both adults and children if left unattended because their liquid fuel is inflammable and toxic if ingested, the agency said.

Refillable garden torches, which consist of a shaft, a fuel reservoir and a wick, are subject to the safety standards of the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 under the authority of the Hazardous Products Act, Health Canada said.

They need special labelling on the reservoir of the torch, the agency said.

For the torches to comply with the 2001 regulation, both these requirements must be met:

Both the bottle of fuel used to fill the reservoir and the torch's reservoir should have child-resistant closures.
Both the torch reservoir and the fuel bottle should bear similar warning labels.

What consumers can do:

Parents and caregivers should teach their children that these products are not toys or food or something to drink. If a child does come in contact with liquid fuel, parents should immediately get in touch with the nearest poison control centre or doctor. A contact number is generally on the first page of the telephone book under Emergency Numbers.
Any product containing liquid fuel should be kept out of reach of young children and locked out of sight when not in use.
Consumers should read the labels on the fuel reservoirs and fuel bottles to be aware of the hazards posed by the liquid fuel.
Replacing liquid-fuel garden torches with garden torch candles is not recommended.
Do not bring non-compliant garden torches into Canada from other countries.

Advisory notice:

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