More than a million toilet flushing systems have been recalled in the US after a spate of cistern explosions caused injuries.

The bursting Flushmate II 501-B devices have also resulted in property damage costing around $710,000 (£547,000).

The explosions have caused two dozen injuries including one person who needed foot surgery, NBC News reports.

Around 1.4 million of the systems were bought in the US and a further 17,300 were purchased in Canada between September 1996 to December 2015.

The United States consumer product safety commission has told owners to stop using their systems immediately.


Image: Flushmate II 501-B devices have been recalled in the US. Pic: United States consumer product safety commission

Buyers are also advised to turn off the water supply to the unit before flushing the chain to release any internal pressure.

The commission said in a recall statement that the defective systems "can burst at or near the vessel weld seam releasing stored pressure".

The body adds this can "lift the tank lid and shatter the tank", leading to possible "impact and laceration hazards to consumers and property damage".

Image: More than a million of the flushing systems have been sold in the US. Pic: United States consumer product safety commission

Flushmate has received 1,446 reports of exploding systems in the US, with a further seven complaints coming from Canada.

The devices, which were recalled on Thursday, are said to cost around $108 (£83).

Owners can contact the firm to get a free replacement installed by a technician.

The recalled units have a 15-character code/serial number which can be found on the label on top.

This is not the first time Flushmate's systems have been recalled.

The Series 503 Flushmate III was recalled in June 2012, January 2014 and July 2016.