Recall Details
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2003 Release #04-044 |
Company Phone Number: (800) 368-0809 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of product: Showerhead Hot Water Heaters
Units:17,400
Manufacturer: Sintex of Brazil, distributed by Barnett of the Caribbean, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Hazard: The showerhead hot water heaters are attached to the shower's water supply piping and connected to a household's electrical supply source when central hot water is not available. Undersized wiring prevents this unit from being suitable in wet locations, the rotary switch is not waterproof and the installation instructions fail to recommend an electrical junction box, but instead recommends tape. Another hazard is the plastic enclosure which poses an electrocution and fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: Showerhead heaters involved in the recall include model numbers 194310 and 192033. The model numbers are printed on the front of the unit. The heaters are packaged in a clear, plastic bag with card, or in a printed box that reads in part, "Sintex Super Ducha," "Sintex Electronic," and "Made in Brazil."
Sold at: Hardware stores and home improvement centers in Puerto Rico from March 2001 through August 2003 for about $20.
Manufactured in: Brazil.
Remedy: Consumers should contact the retailer where the product was purchased or Barnett of the Caribbean for more information on returning the product for a refund.
Consumer Contact: Call Barnett of the Caribbean toll-free at (800) 368- 0809 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.e-barnett.com
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.
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.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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