Melbourne: Sampford IXL has responded today to concerns over the safety of three-in-one heater/exhaust/lighting systems. A news report on Monday 9th June 2008 on Channel Nine’s regional Queensland broadcast, Extra, named several brands as being unsafe. Although Sampford IXL’s iconic range of Tastics was not amongst those named, Queensland Electrical Safety Officer Gerard Poynting said that the plastic around the light globe can melt and catch fire, and that anybody with one of these systems should take action including replacing plastic heat lamp holders with ceramic ones. Malcolm Owens, CEO of Sampford IXL, said: ‘The implication of Mr Poynting’s report was that all such systems are a potential safety hazard. This is incorrect.

IXL Tastics have plastic holders, but safety is assured. Every single unit produced is tested to ensure it meets all Australian safety standards. The plastic we use is of a superior grade to that used in the brands named in the report. Our plastic is both fire and heat resistant. In the 25 years we have been producing this product we have never had a recall. Our priority has always been the safety of our customers.’ Each Tastic model is reviewed every five years to constantly ensure they meet safety standards. To comply with the amended Australian/New Zealand standard which came into effect last December, Sampford IXL is manufacturing all future products with specially engineered ceramic lamp holders. This has been in the development and implementation stages for the past eight months.

Malcolm Owens said: ‘I would like to reiterate to our customers that the implementation of the new safety standards does in no way imply that our existing Tastic models are unsafe. These products have been in the homes of thousands of Australians for a quarter of a century and have a well deserved reputation for reliability.’

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