Australia’s consumer safety watchdog has issued an urgent public recall and warning for a widely sold portable steam cleaner linked to severe, potentially fatal hazards including electric shock, burns and fire. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Product Safety Department announced the recall after testing confirmed the bright yellow “portable electric high pressure” steam cleaner sold by online retailer Ozstock fails to meet the country’s mandatory national electrical safety standards.
The dangerous non-compliance centers on the device’s power adapter, a core component that allows the unit to draw household electricity. Manufactured in China, the recalled steam cleaners were distributed and sold to customers across all Australian states and territories via the Ozstock online platform between September 28, 2023, and March 19 of this year. ACCC documents note the product had been listed for sale on the platform for multiple years before safety concerns prompted the recall order, leading to widespread distribution among Australian households.
In addition to electrical risks, the ACCC warns the faulty device poses direct threats of death, serious injury, and property damage from uncontrolled fire or accidental burns. The regulator has issued clear guidance for all consumers who may have purchased the product: stop using the device immediately, and store it in a secure location completely out of reach of children to prevent accidental exposure to hazards.
Digitel International, the official Australian supplier of the recalled steam cleaners, has committed to providing a full refund to all customers who properly and safely dispose of their faulty units. Consumers who own the product are encouraged to reach out directly to Digitel International to arrange for their refund and confirm safe disposal protocols. The ACCC is also urging consumers who bought portable steam cleaners from Ozstock in the specified time frame to check their product against the recall description to confirm if they own the hazardous unit.