| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| April 12, 1984 | |
| Release # 84-024 | |
Washington, D.C. --The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers of a fire hazard with microwave ovens manufactured by Microtronics Ltd., Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn. The manufacturer is no longer in business and therefore unable to recall the product.
Forty eight complaints have been received, many reporting that the unit has self-started while unattended. No serious injuries or fires have occurred.
The Commission believes that the unit may allow the microwaves to concentrate due to the failure of a stirrer mechanism. If the unit self-starts while unattended, these conditions could allow the unit to generate sufficient heat on the cabinet to ignite combustible material that may be stored on top or adjacent to the unit. The units have been produced since at least 1978. 57,645 units have been sold nationwide in the last three years alone under the brand names Astro Chef, Classic, and La Chef. The retail price was about $300.
CPSC urges consumers who have one of these units to unplug the unit when not in use and store combustible material away from the microwave oven. If uneven cooking is occurring or any discoloration is noted on top of the cabinet, discontinue use.
Consumers wishing further information may call the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help 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 40 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 @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800