FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2000
Release # 00-152 |
AmeriGas Recall Hotline: (888) 428-9779
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
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CPSC, AmeriGas Propane L.P. Announce Recall of Propane Cylinders
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AmeriGas Propane L.P., of Valley Forge, Pa., is recalling about 100 propane cylinders sold or exchanged at The Home Depot or Meijer's stores in the Detroit, Mich., area. Of these cylinders, about 10 could be overfilled, which can cause them to release flammable propane gas unexpectedly, posing a risk of fires and explosions.
On July 19, 2000, some of the overfilled cylinders vented propane and ignited, causing an explosion at the AmeriGas plant in Willoughby, Ohio. One worker suffered minor burns. No consumer injuries have been reported. After investigating the source of the overfilled cylinders, AmeriGas determined the only AmeriGas office which delivered possibly overfilled cylinders to retail stores was its Trenton, Mich., office. No other AmeriGas location released overfilled cylinders to retailers or customers.
Home Depots and Meijer's stores in the Detroit, Mich., area sold or exchanged these propane cylinders on July 17 through July 19. An AmeriGas "Prefilled Propane Xchange" or "PPX"® gas grill cylinder is white, and at the time of purchase, had a shrink-wrapped sleeve around it with the names "AmeriGas" and "PPX" on it. The cylinders sold for between $44 and $48 and cost between $13 and $14 for an exchange.
Consumers who purchased or exchanged one of these AmeriGas barbecue propane cylinders should not use their gas grills or other appliances, and should not disconnect or transport the cylinder. Consumers should call the AmeriGas toll-free hotline immediately at (888) 428-9779 anytime for instructions on getting their gas cylinder inspected, and replaced if needed.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.