Safety recall notice issued on furniture from The Furniture Shack

Trading Standards have issued an immediate safety recall notice on furniture bought from The Furniture Shack in Clydebank and Parkhead Forge, Glasgow.

Tests on items seized by officers found they did not meet legal flammability standards and trading standards officers advise anyone who has bought furniture from the "Cosmo" and "Ferrera" ranges to stop using it and contact Trading Standards.

Officers became suspicious about the safety of the furniture and found that some items displayed in The Furniture Shack did not carry the mandatory safety labels. Subsequent tests on goods seized from the outlet carried out at a specialist laboratory in England, showed that both suites are a fire hazard after failing safety tests.

David McCulloch, Trading Standards Section Head says: "Our immediate concern is for consumers who have bought any of these items and to make sure they are made aware of the potential hazard the furniture represent. We are currently seeking the co-operation from The Furniture Shack to provide refunds to customers who have bought these products. However, we are aware that both of their shops have now closed."

Consumers who have bought these items or who have any concerns about any furniture they have bought from this shop should seek further advice.

David McCulloch continued: "We will assist consumers in any way we can, including giving advice on how to make a small claim through the Court if necessary. However, our main priority is the safety of consumers and their families and we would urge owners of the unsafe furniture to stop using it and contact us."

Councillor Kath Ryall, Convener of Corporate Services said: "I would strongly advise people to stop using the suites and to contact their nearest trading standards department for advice as soon as possible. Safety labels are required to confirm that the furniture sold will not ignite when exposed to common household ignition sources such as lit matches and cigarettes and clearly these items do not have this protection. I understand how frustrating and inconvenient this will be for many people but the priority must be for their own safety and that of their family."

Fire safety regulations have been in force since 1988 and prior to that, household fires caused by furniture catching fire were a regular occurrence and the poisonous fumes given off by burning foam was an additional hazard. 

A third suite was recalled by The Furniture Shack in August from their Luna range and anyone who has purchased from this range is also advised to stop using it.  

If you purchased any of the recalled items from the outlets in Clydebank, Glasgow or online, please contact Trading Standards' advice partner Citizens' Advice consumer helpline on 08454 040506 for further advice and information.

Further details of the unsafe items, including photographs for easier identification, are available on the website of West Dunbartonshire Council Trading Standards  - www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/law-and-licensing/trading-standards/