Mum Becomes One of 87 Cases of Thermomix Explosions

Around 87 cases have already been reported due to Thermomix explosions.

A 40-year-old mum from Coffs Harbour was the latest victim of a Thermomix explosion after she was splattered with boiling water across her arm, face and back.

Holly Lacy told A Current Affair that she was boiling water to make pasta for dinner, but when she removed the cup from the top of the Thermomix, water exploded out of the top of it. “I’d had my arm under the shower for about an hour and a half, and we had to call the ambulance because the pain was just too unbearable, I couldn’t take my arm out,” she said. Ms Lacy has been left with second degree burns down her left arm, forehead and back.

“I am scarred for life from this incident,” she said.

Ms Lacy said she bought her Thermomix two years ago and said it had problems from the start. She claims the Thermomix cracked and the seal didn’t work properly. She also said that the measuring cup had broken twice, so she was using a non-Thermomix cup when the accident happened.

But Ms Lacy is only one of 87 who have complained to consumer group Choice, who have now made Australia’s first mass incident report about the appliance.

Warning: Graphic Images

Choice spokesperson Tom Godfrey says that of the 87 incidents they have investigated, 83 involved the TM31 model and four involved the new TM5.

Aww.com.au reported that Mr Godfrey has urged the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to issue safety warnings especially after Choice found out in its investigation that the Thermomix company was forcing customers into non-disclosure agreements before they granted them refunds.

“These reports also allege the company has attempted to blame victims and downplay the danger this product presents. It is deeply concerning that, in a number of cases, when the company was informed of an incident they blamed the consumer by classifying the product’s failure as ‘user error’.”

However, a Thermomix spokesman said in a statement that “the safety, welfare and support” of its customers was their “highest priority”.

“Thermomix in Australia (TiA) and Vorwerk, the manufacturer, are aware of the allegations made in CHOICE’s report to the ACCC. We have always fully cooperated with the ACCC and will continue to do so. We do not wish to prejudice the outcome of the ACCC’s review of matters reported to it by commenting further at this time,” he said.

Source: 9news.com.au and Aww.com.au