Metal Alcohol Burners (used in scientific experiments)
CPSC Recall #06-061 — January 4, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-061 |
| Recall Date | January 4, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | About 3,000 |
| Manufacturer | C & A Scientific Co. Inc., of Manassas, Va. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Education supply dealers |
| including Home Training Tools Ltd. |
| by catalog mail order or Web retailers from November 2004 through October 2005 for about $5. |
Product
Metal Alcohol Burners (used in scientific experiments)
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), C & A Scientific Co. Inc., of Manassas, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 3,000 Metal Alcohol Burners used in scientific experiments. Alcohol can leak from defective soldering around the burner's copper tubing that acts as a wick, posing a fire and burn hazard.Name of Product: Metal Alcohol Burners (used in scientific experiments)Units: About 3,000Manufacturer: C & A Scientific Co. Inc., of Manassas, Va.Hazard: Alcohol can leak from defective soldering around the burner's copper tubing that acts as a wick, posing a fire and burn hazard.Incidents/Injuries: C & A Scientific has received 12 reports of incidents involving leaks from the soldering around the copper tubing on the burner's lid. One student received a minor burn to the hand.Description: The metal alcohol burner consists of a stainless steel tank with a screw-on steel lid. A copper tubing wick in the shape of a loop is soldered on the top of the burner's lid. The burner and lid measure 3 inches in diameter by 3 ½ inches high. The burner also has a separate metal top which fits over the copper wick to act as a snuffer, and a metal heat shield designed to sit on top of the lid. Item number 97-5320 is printed on the burner's packaging.Sold at: Education supply dealers, including Home Training Tools Ltd., by catalog mail order or Web retailers from November 2004 through October 2005 for about $5.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled metal alcohol burners immediately and return them to place of purchase for replacement or refund.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact C & A Scientific toll-free at (800) 681-6886 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Hazard
Alcohol can leak from defective soldering around the burner's copper tubing that acts as a wick, posing a fire and burn hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
C & A Scientific has received 12 reports of incidents involving leaks from the soldering around the copper tubing on the burner's lid. One student received a minor burn to the hand.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled metal alcohol burners immediately and return them to place of purchase for replacement or refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund, Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.