You would agree that it's a bit scary - all the chatter at the moment around the ban on sales of these handy portable cookers and with up to 31 models potentially being recalled by the ACCC, its hard to know if you have an affected model or not.
As campers we are responsible for the safety and cleanliness of our campsites and its just an Aussie camping thing to look out for other campers around us.
The question IS NOT should I keep my burner or which ones are affected -
The real question should be - DO YOU HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AVAILABLE in case of a fire emergency?
Be fire aware in all cases and be prepared whether you have a butane cooker, a gas cooker or are just having fun around the campfire.
Last year over the Christmas break this very fire extinguisher saved The Basin Campground in NSW from a fire that had broken out over the back of the campgrounds as a result of one of these butane burners. It caught to the Gazebo that housed it and then spread up into the trees above. Winds were gusting at about 25 knots so it was blowy and could have been catastrophic as the grounds were packed with over 400 campers.
The message is simple;
When you're camping, be prepared to act quickly with some basic emergency equipment that includes a first aid kit, bucket for water and a fire extinguisher - And have a great and safe camping trip!
The CampKing