The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with the two firms named below, has issued a voluntary recall over two <“https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability”>defective products because of fire and shock hazards.
About 44,000 Countertop Water Dispensers have been recalled by Greenway Home Products of Northwood, Ohio because the product’s internal heating element could overheat, dropping molten metal through its ventilation openings in the water dispenser’s base onto the countertop, thus posing a fire hazard. The internal heating element also poses a shock hazard to consumers who touch it through the vents. Greenway received one report of a fire that resulted in property damage. The recalled dispensers include the following models and dispense hot or cold water and use three or five gallon water bottles. The model name is printed on the front of the dispenser’s base and the model and serial numbers are printed on a white label on the back of the dispenser’s base. File number 218326 is printed on a silver sticker on the back of the dispenser’s base:Â
The Countertop Water Dispensers—which were made in China—were sold at discount retailers nationwide from June 2006 to November 2007 for between $70 and $80. Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled water dispensers immediately and contact Greenway Home Products to receive a free repair. Greenway can be reached toll-free at (866) 279-0088 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or at its Website at www.greenwayhp.com
Also, about 8,000 Illuminator Polariscopes 415000 and 415 made by GIA Instruments, of Carlsbad, California have been recalled as they can have a ground wire missing, posing a risk of electrical shock to the user. GIA has received four reports of consumers experiencing electric shock. A polariscope is an instrument used by gemologists to assist in gem identification.
The recalled polariscopes—which were manufactured in the United States—are white in color with model number 415000 or 415 printed on its underside and were sold by GIA schools, GIA’s Website, product catalogs, distributors, and trade shows nationwide from January 1996 through June 2007 and retailed for between $255 and $340.
Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the Illuminator Polariscope and contact GIA Instruments to schedule a free retrofit with a ground wire. GIA is notifying all consumers directly. Consumers can contact GIA Instruments at (800) 421-8161 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Website at www.gia.edu.
