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Warning Issued On Electric Water Heaters

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Name of Product:
Immersible Electric Water Heaters
Hazard:

Potential for serious shock injuries, possibly resulting in electrocution, exists when water contacts the powered heating element.

Remedy:
No Remedy Available
Recall Date:
October 21, 1977
Units:

Approximately 50,000

Consumer Contact

Anyone aware of any shock or electrocution incidents associated with an Ambory immersible electric water heater is urged to immediately call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 21) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today warned consumers of a possible serious shock hazard from certain portable, immersible electric water heaters manufactured by the Ambory Corp., of Hazel Park, Mich. One of these heaters was reportedly involved in the recent electrocution of a 17-year-old girl in Little Fork, Minn.

Sold to heat water in and around the home, the heaters are constructed of an exposed resistive heating element contained within a perforated metal case which permits water to contact the heating mechanism. This element is powered by electrical current from a standard electrical outlet. Potential for serious shock injuries, possibly resulting in electrocution, exists when water contacts the powered heating element.

The four heaters in question are the "Ambory Special," "Jiffy, Jr. ," "Jiffy, Sr.," and "Ram." Distributed nationwide, they are sold primarily in hardware stores and tack shops. CPSC estimates that approximately 50,000 of the immersible water heaters are currently in consumers' hands.

On October 20, the Commission authorized its staff to proceed against the Ambory Corp.9 to remove this alleged hazard from the marketplace.

CPSC urges consumers to take extreme caution if they use one of these heaters. All four models are sold with instructions warning users not to touch the water container or the water itself while the heater is "on." Consumers are also directed to turn off the heater and unplug it before testing the water temperature.

Anyone aware of any shock or electrocution incidents associated with an Ambory immersible electric water heater is urged to immediately call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.

Incidents/Injuries:

One of these heaters was reportedly involved in the recent electrocution of a 17-year-old girl in Little Fork, Minn.

Recall number:
77-110

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

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