Approximately 24,000 propane cylinders are being recalled due to a fire and explosion hazard. This recall concerns Flame King, Little Kamper, and U-Haul refillable cylinders used with outdoor appliances. The serial numbers are printed on the foot ring of the cylinder and the brand logo and size is printed on the front of the cylinder.
Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled propane cylinders and contact YSN Imports for a full refund or replacement propane cylinder, reports FOX43 News.
Two Reports Received by Manufacturer
The firm has received two reports of the new connecting valve starting to unscrew from the cylinder. No injuries have thus far, been reported. The cylinders are available at Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Kamps, Propane Depot, U-Haul, and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and other websites from 2013 through 2016 for between $10 and $15. The products are made in Thailand.
Parker Waichman LLP is a nationwide, renowned personal injury law firm that has successful and extensive experience representing clients in all kinds of litigation. The attorneys at the firm are available to answer questions from anyone seeking information for a potential lawsuit.
YSN Imports, the company that manufactures the propane tanks, has received a minimum of two reports of connecting valves unscrewing from the cylinders, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Products affected by the recall include:
- Flame King 14.1 oz. blue 000001 through 004700
- Flame King 16.4 oz. green 000001 through 020800
- Little Kamper 16 oz. green 000001 through 020800
- U-Haul 1 lb. blue 000001 through 004700
- U-Haul 1 lb. green 000001 through 020800
The propane cylinders are made for use with outdoor appliances, and were sold from November 2013 to September 2016.
If you purchased any of the above items, you should stop using them immediately and contact YSN Imports for a full refund, or a replacement cylinder, according to ABC News.
In May 2017, a refillable one-pound propane gas cylinder used for camping trailers and stoves was recalled with the public receiving warnings not to use the cylinder. U-Haul, a Phoenix-based vehicle rental company that sells propane accessories, said that the cylinder tanks had been recalled by their importer, Flame King, reports NBC News.
2016 Recalls
The refillable cylinders have been sold at propane-certified U-Haul locations in California since June 2016. U-Haul advised customers to “cease using your refillable one-pound cylinder immediately and return it to the closest propane-certified U-Haul location.”
Viking Cylinders Boast Temperature not a Problem
Viking cylinders promote the fact that they are designed to withstand temperatures well above 149 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Centigrade) and users who live in hot climates report that the design holds up well to regular use in steamy temperatures.
Another Viking selling point is that the materials used in their cylinders are unaffected by salt and humidity. The materials do not corrode, so the cylinders are well adapted for use in hot, humid, and saline environments.
In the United States and Canada, Viking cylinders have a 15-year service life (15 years from the date of manufacture).
Basic Rules for Propane Cylinder Use
The likelihood of a cylinder explosion is exponentially remote even if cylinders are extremely damaged by forceful blows to the container shell. By design, all propane gas containers are manufactured to withstand extensive external damage. Although the integrity of a cylinder may be compromised due to forceful impact, the containment of liquid propane is secured, which is factored into the engineering and construction of these cylinders. In other words, the design of propane cylinders is to withstand impact without rupturing or exploding.
When explosions do occur, most share a common theme. The propane cylinders are placed in a fire or source of extreme heat. Some internet videos are filmed by amateurs while others are staged and controlled explosions produced by professionals but the common catalyst for causing a propane cylinder explosion is fire and extreme heat.
Cylinder Storage Fires and Explosions
One of the more potentially dangerous situations regarding propane cylinders revolves around their storage. The potential danger is general irresponsible behavior and/or human error. For example, a group of cylinders in storage cages are all secure and filled, properly positioned, and legal in all respects but one of the cylinders has the bleeder valve opened slightly and is allowing a small amount of propane out of tank. Contact with a lit cigarette by an employee examining the hissing noise from the tank, may lead to an explosion and subsequent fire, reports Propane101.com.
Legal Information Concerning Propane Cylinders
If you or someone you know has been affected by an injury or property damage sustained as a result of a propane cylinder, you may have valuable legal rights. Parker Waichman LLP offers free, no-obligation case evaluations. We urge you to contact our personal injury attorneys at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
