Franzus Company Civil Penalty Announced

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today said that Franzus Company, Inc., New York, New York, has agreed to pay a $60,000.00 civil penalty in settlement of Commission charges that the company failed to report the existence of defective clothes steams.

The agency had asserted that Franzus possessed sufficient information to conclude that certain of its "Wrinkles Away" portable electric clothes steamers contained a defect which presented a scalding hazard to consumers, and that the company did not report that information to the agency as it is required to do by law. The agency believes that many consumers were needlessly scalded because of the company's inaction. In paying the civil penalty Franzus makes no admission of guilt or liability.

Franzus has received approximately 60 reports or complaints from consumers of product failure and injury with respect to the recalled steamers. The reports stated that, without warning, the base and heater assembly separated, spilling boiling or hot water onto the user.

The consumer products involved are "Wrinkles Away" portable electric clothes steamers, models WA-111 and WA-222 sold since July, 1984. These steamers, used at home or by travelers to remove wrinkles from clothes, were the subject of a voluntary recall begun by Franzus in august, 1985. They may be identified by locating the model numbers and the Franzus name and address on the bottom of the plastic base. The model numbers may appear as either WA-111 and WA-222 or CAT. No. 111 and CAT. No.222. The models subject to recall do not include those units identified as Special Edition Models WA-222SE, or units having a bask-up fastening device, a small screw, installed in the back of the unit, near the electric cord.