Note: New Phone Number.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Ken Giles |
| Originally issued January 16, 1997, Revised July 1, 2004 |
(301) 504-7052 |
| Release # 97-059 |
| |
CPSC and Sta-Rite Industries Announce Pool Fittings Recall
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sta-Rite Industries Inc. of Delavan, Wis., is announcing a recall to retrofit model 08417 floor inlet fittings in gunnite and concrete pools and spas. Over 135,000 model 08417 floor inlet fittings have been manufactured for use in these pools and spas during the past 25 years. This inlet fitting is not used in above ground or vinyl-lined pools.
Sta-Rite's model 08417 floor inlet fitting is designed to be used to cover pipes carrying water into a pool or spa. When the inlet fitting is improperly installed as an equalizer or suction fitting to cover pipes carrying water out of a pool or spa, a bather's hair may be drawn toward the cover and become entangled in the fitting, holding the bather's head under water.
Sta-Rite is aware of two drownings resulting from hair getting trapped in the inlet fitting that was used on an equalizer pipe line in a swimming pool and a spa.
Consumers should check with their pool or spa contractor to determine whether this floor inlet fitting is installed in their gunnite or concrete pools and spas. If the floor inlet fitting is installed as an equalizer or suction fitting, call Sta-Rite at (262) 728-5551 to receive a free replacement part.
In June 1996, Sta-Rite began asking pool operators, builders and, suppliers to inspect all suction fittings installed in their pools and their customers' pools to determine whether Sta-Rite's model 08417 floor inlet fitting was being used as an equalizer or suction fitting.
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.