Stainless Steel Kettle
CPSC Recall #02-106 — February 20, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-106 |
| Recall Date | February 20, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 13,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Department stores and specialty catalogs nationwide sold these kettles between October 2001 and January 2002 for about $40. |
Product
Stainless Steel Kettle
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Calphalon Corp., Toledo, Ohio, is recalling about 13,000 stainless steel kettles. The recalled kettles are stainless steel, have a glass cover, and have the model number 4302, which is located on the bottom of the kettle. The kettles, which can hold 2-quarts of water, also have the name "Calphalon" printed on the glass cover. Kettles that have a green sticker next to the bar code on the bottom of the box contain retrofitted covers and are not included in this recall.
Hazard
The kettle's cover traps steam inside of the kettle causing an increase in pressure. This forces hot water to rise and escape through the spout, posing a serious burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Calphalon have received reports of 13 incidents, including three minor burn injuries. Hot water splashed on two adult's hands and an 18-month-old child's scalp.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these kettles immediately to receive a free replacement cover.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a 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 (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.