Mickey Mouse waffle maker

CPSC Recall #99-072 — March 3, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-072
Recall DateMarch 3, 1999
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedMore than 1,300
Manufactured InUnited States

Product

Mickey Mouse waffle maker

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Walt Disney Co., of Burbank, Calif., is voluntarily recalling more than 1,300 electric waffle irons. The waffle irons are improperly wired, presenting fire, shock and electrocution hazards to consumers. Disney has received one report of a waffle iron catching on fire at the wall socket. No injuries or property damage was reported. The waffle irons were manufactured by Vitantonio Products. The wiring was installed improperly during the manufacturing process. Vitantonio is a former licensee of Disney Consumer Products and is no longer in business. However, out of concern for consumer safety, Disney immediately agreed to conduct the recall itself and provide consumers with an incentive to return the waffle irons. Disney is offering consumers who participate in this recall a $70 gift voucher good for use in The Disney Catalog. The waffle iron is chrome and black. It is made in a "clam-shell" design, and when the top lid is opened, a Mickey Mouse face is revealed on the cooking surfaces, which measure 7 inches in diameter. "Vitantonio Premier Mickey's Waffler The Walt Disney Co." is on a metallic label on the handle. Only waffle irons with three-prong plugs bearing model number 1950 and a serial number in one of the following ranges are being recalled: 17001000 to 17002661 or 46006022 to 46006524. The model and serial number are on a label affixed to the bottom of the waffle iron, along with "Vitantonio ... Made in U.S.A. ... UL 43G5 Listed". Walt Disney World Resorts and specialty kitchen and department stores nationwide sold the waffle irons from October 1996 through January 1997 for about $60. Consumers immediately should stop using the recalled waffle irons. Consumers should contact Disney at (800) 362-4695 anytime for instructions on returning the waffle iron to receive the $70 gift voucher. Vitantonio made a number of other styles of Mickey waffle irons for Disney. None of these products are involved in this recall.

Hazard

The waffle irons are improperly wired, presenting fire, shock and electrocution hazards to consumers.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers immediately should stop using the recalled waffle irons. Consumers should contact Disney at (800) 362-4695 anytime for instructions on returning the waffle iron to receive the $70 gift voucher.

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.