CPSC, Elkay Manufacturing Co. Announce Recall of Bottled Water Coolers
CPSC recall 04175 · announced July 13, 2004 · Elkay Manufacturing · 145,000 units affected
The product
These 115-volt hot/cold bottled water coolers have both cold and hot water faucets. Most of the coolers are white, but some are granite colored. The water coolers have the name "Elkay" on the serial number plate on the back of the unit. The five design names are: Classic, Legend, Eclipse, Sentry, and Legend Countertop. Consumers should go to the Elkay recall website at www.coolerfix.com and type in their serial number to determine if the water cooler is recalled. Consumers also can call the firm at (800) 260-6640 to determine if their water cooler is included in the recall. The recall also includes a small number of point-of-use water coolers sold for commercial use. Commercial customers are being directly notified of the recall. Point-of-use water coolers have the water plumbed directly to the units.
The hazard
These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.
What to do (per CPSC)
Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and point-of-use water coolers also should check their cooler to see if it is recalled and unplug the cooler if it is recalled. Contact Elkay to get information about a free repair of the recalled coolers.
Notes
Incidents (per CPSC): There have been 14 reports of overheating, but no injuries reported.
Sold at: Bottled water companies and other businesses in the U.S. and Canada, who in turn sold or leased the recalled coolers from 1997 through 2002. Recalled coolers also were sold at BJ's Wholesale Club and Sam's Club stores nationwide from 1999 through October 2003. Prices ranged from $139 to $149.
Consumer contact: Call Elkay at (800) 260-6640 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or go to the company's recall website at www.coolerfix.com.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.