CCPC warns people to use their air fryers properly

Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) are warning consumers to use their air fryers properly.

This is part of a new consumer information campaign, forming part of their wider product safety air fryer investigation. This investigation was launched earlier this year, after the recall of 60,000 air fryers.

The safety team tested multiple models available on the Irish market, and they found good levels of compliance when it came to product safety, with no significant concerns among those tested.

Serious incidents with air fryers do occur, and the CCPC is reminding people of simple steps to make sure they are working properly.

CCPC research found that although 73% of people own an air fryer, and 41% of those use it every day, just 43% of respondents cleaned it everyday and 7% of them only clean it once a month. Just 3% of air fryer owners said they never clean it.

Director of Communications at CCPC, Grainne Griffin said: “Product safety isn’t just about the product itself; it’s also about how that product is used. Air fryers have been extremely popular in recent years, but it’s important that they’re used and maintained correctly.

“We’re pleased to confirm that no serious issues were identified in our air fryer testing. Product safety rules are there to protect consumers, and we’re glad to see businesses meeting those standards. All air fryers must meet strict product safety rules, so we were glad to see from our extensive investigation that the models we tested are meeting those rules.

“But compliant products can still be dangerous if used incorrectly. Nearly three-quarters of kitchens in Ireland now have an air fryer, and we do hear from consumers whose air fryers overheat or go on fire, so it is important to take steps to mitigate this risk.”

Ray Hamill, Assistant Fire Adviser with the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), added: “While the NDFEM data indicates that cooking and heating fires have reduced in the last 25 years, fire safety concerns remain. The growing use of electrical appliances and emerging technologies has introduced new fire safety considerations in the home. Proper use, correct maintenance, and proper ventilation can all significantly reduce the risk of fire.

“The single most important measure every home can take is to install and maintain working smoke alarms, as they provide the earliest warning of a fire and remain the best way to protect lives in the home. In the event of a fire, get out, stay out and call 112/999.”