Fitness Blogger and Model Rebecca Burger Killed by an Exploding Whipped Cream Canister

A freak accident killed a fitness blogger and model this week, and her family is taking a moment in its grief to help make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Rebecca Burger, the beautiful French face behind the popular Instagram account @rebeccablikes, was killed this week when the whipped cream canister she was using exploded, striking her in the chest, causing cardiac arrest.

Rebecca Burger’s family announced her death this week with a post on Instagram, which also served as a warning to her followers.

The caption reads, “Here is an example of a whipped cream siphon that exploded and struck Rebecca’s thorax, resulting in her death. To be clear: the dispenser that led to her death was sealed. Do not use this kind of utensil in your home! Several tens of thousands of defective devices are still in circulation.”

Canisters like this require gas capsules to pressurize the cream, and there are dozens of instances of the capsules becoming dislodged and exploding. French Magazine 60 Million Consumers reported that over five dozen injuries have resulted from exploding canisters. Common injuries are broken teeth, cracked ribs, and one user even lost an eye. Burger is the first reported death.

The manufacturer of the whipped cream canister, Ard’time, said in a statement that “the product has not been on the market since a first incident implicating a siphon in February 2013. Products were withdrawn from the market and destroyed, and other efforts made to alert consumers.” Obviously, their efforts weren’t good enough.

Regular store-bought canisters of whipped cream are safe. If you have a canister that allows you to make your own whipped cream, check with the manufacturer to make sure it’s safe before you use it again.

(Image: Instagram / @rebeccablikes)