Weed control device kills gardener

A warning has been issued across the EU in connection with a flame gun designed for controlling the growth of weeds after a man in Lincolnshire was killed while using the product. Gardeners in Essex may have purchased one of these items for use as a weed killer and should ensure that, if it is the Kill Weed model, they no longer use the device. A product recall has been issued for this model after safety concerns were raised.

Flame guns are advertised as an alternative to conventional weed killers that use chemicals or herbicides to kill unwanted plants. They are typically fuelled by a gas canister and are used to burn the foliage of weeds that are growing on hard surfaces such as pavements and driveways. The Kill Weed instruction manual says that operating temperatures can reach up to 1,300 degrees Celsius.

An inquest into the death of the 86-year-old man has been adjourned and a warning issued that the use of this model of product is a serious risk. Improperly attaching the fuel canister can cause a gas leak and a serious danger of uncontrolled fire when ignited. The U.K. supplier of the Taiwanese made product has told customers that they can return it to the Coopers of Stortford store in Hertfordshire free of charge.

Consumers in the U.K. are legally protected from injury or from damage caused by defective products by the Consumer Protection Act. In some cases this may not only apply to goods that have been purchased outright but also to items that have been rented or are on a hire purchase agreement. A solicitor knowledgeable in product liability cases may offer legal advice to assist a client to prove that a device was faulty and was responsible for causing the injury or damage.