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Recall Details
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2009 Release # 09-141 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 747-0222 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. 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: Ritchie Immersion Heaters
Units: About 13,000
Manufacturer: Springfield Wire Inc. (SWI), of Springfield, Mass.
Distributor: Ritchie Industries, of Conrad, Iowa
Hazard: The outer cover of the immersion heater can crack and expose the heating element to water, posing a shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: SWI has received 44 reports of covers cracking. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the Ritchie Immersion Heaters with model numbers 17863 (120v/250w), 17939 (240v/250w or 240v/325w), and 17940 (240v/325w). The immersion heater is designed to be submerged in a cattle trough to keep the water from freezing. The model number along with "SWI" is printed on one side of the heating element and a sticker reading "Ritchie Specialty Products" is found on the other side.
Sold by: Ritchie distributors nationwide from February 2007 through March 2009 for about $60 to $70.
Manufactured in: United States (2007) and Mexico (2008)
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled immersion heater and return it to the place of purchase for a free replacement heater.
Contact: For additional information, contact Ritchie Industries at (800) 747-0222 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, visit the firms' Web sites at www.springfield-wire.com or www.ritchiefount.com, or contact the dealer from which the heater was purchased.
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.
If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury 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. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
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