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Model K-9 Electric Fence Controllers

CPSC Recall #97-031 - November 25, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-031
Recall DateNovember 25, 1996
Remedy TypeNew Instructions
Units AffectedAbout 13,000

Where It Was Sold

Hardware and farm supply stores sold the K-9 Electric Fence Controllers nationwide beginning in April 1996 for about $28.

Product

Model K-9 Electric Fence Controllers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Waters Instruments Inc. of Rochester, Minn., is recalling about 13,000 Model K-9 Electric Fence Controllers, a box used to control the electricity in electric fences. The K-9 Electric Fence Controllers used outdoors in high humidity or wet environments can overheat and result in fire. Waters has received three reports of overheating occurring in K-9 Electric Fence Controllers used in an unprotected outdoor setting where they are subjected to high humidity or water. Two controller cases showed signs of melting and one controller installed under a porch caused charring of the wooden flooring. The K-9 Electric Fence Controllers with serial numbers starting with MT08096 and MT09096 have a yellow, black, and red label that reads, "American FarmWorks K-9 ELECTRIC FENCE CONTROLLER." The K-9 Electric Fence Controllers sold individually came packaged in a plastic shell with a yellow backer card. Waters also sold the units as part of a pet and garden fence kit, packaged in a yellow, black, and red box with a picture of the K-9 Electric Fence Controller printed on the box. Hardware and farm supply stores sold the K-9 Electric Fence Controllers nationwide beginning in April 1996 for about $28. Consumers should stop using the K-9 Electric Fence Controllers immediately and call Waters at (800) 962-2880 for information on returning the merchandise for replacement with a unit not adversely affected by climate.

Hazard

The K-9 Electric Fence Controllers used outdoors in high humidity or wet environments can overheat and result in fire.

Incidents & Injuries

Waters has received three reports of overheating occurring in K-9 Electric Fence Controllers used in an unprotected outdoor setting where they are subjected to high humidity or water. Two controller cases showed signs of melting and one controller installed under a porch caused charring of the wooden flooring.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the K-9 Electric Fence Controllers immediately and call Waters at (800) 962-2880 for information on returning the merchandise for replacement with a unit not adversely affected by climate.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (New Instructions) 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.

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