Turbo Tiger Power Washer
CPSC Recall #04-565 — July 14, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-565 |
| Recall Date | July 14, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 1,000 |
| Manufacturer | Zhejiang Anlu Cleaning Machinery Co. Ltd., of China |
| Importer | Tristar Products Inc., of Fairfield, N.J. |
Where It Was Sold
| Tristar Products Inc. through direct-response television commercials shown nationwide |
| as well as on Tristar's website www.tvinventions.com. They were sold between June 2002 and June 2003 for about $190 |
| including shipping and handling. Turbo Tiger units sold through The Home Shopping Network or other sources that already have a GFCI at the end of the power cord are not included in this recall. |
Product
Turbo Tiger Power Washer
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tristar Products Inc., of Fairfield, N.J. is voluntarily recalling 1,000 Turbo Tiger Power Washers. These electric pressure washers do not have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on the power cord, which poses a serious electrocution hazard if the unit comes into contact with water.Name of Product: Turbo Tiger Power WasherUnits: 1,000Importer: Tristar Products Inc., of Fairfield, N.J.Manufacturer: Zhejiang Anlu Cleaning Machinery Co. Ltd., of ChinaHazard: These electric pressure washers do not have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on the power cord, which poses a serious electrocution hazard if the unit comes into contact with water.Incidents/Injuries: NoneDescription: The recalled electric pressure washers are yellow with a black three-prong power cord. A label on the front reads "Turbo Tiger Power Washer."Sold by: Tristar Products Inc. through direct-response television commercials shown nationwide, as well as on Tristar's website www.tvinventions.com. They were sold between June 2002 and June 2003 for about $190, including shipping and handling. Turbo Tiger units sold through The Home Shopping Network or other sources that already have a GFCI at the end of the power cord are not included in this recall.Remedy: Consumers should stop using the electric pressure washers immediately. Tristar will send consumers a portable GFCI that can be attached to the end of the power cord, which will provide consumers with shock protection. If you purchased your pressure washer from a pre-recorded television commercial or www.tvinventions.com and you have not received the portable GFCI, please contact Tristar to receive a GFCI.Consumer Contact: Call Tristar customer service at 973-287-5100 between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at [email protected].
Hazard
These electric pressure washers do not have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on the power cord, which poses a serious electrocution hazard if the unit comes into contact with water.
Incidents & Injuries
None
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the electric pressure washers immediately. Tristar will send consumers a portable GFCI that can be attached to the end of the power cord, which will provide consumers with shock protection. If you purchased your pressure washer from a pre-recorded television commercial or www.tvinventions.com and you have not received the portable GFCI, please contact Tristar to receive a GFCI.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) at no cost to you.
No — you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.
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.