"Dualit-Plus" electronic toasters

CPSC Recall #95-036 - November 30, 1994

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-036
Recall DateNovember 30, 1994
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 2,700
ManufacturerDualit Ltd., of England
ImporterWaring Products, of New Hartford, Conn.
Manufactured InEngland

Product

"Dualit-Plus" electronic toasters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Waring Products of New Hartford, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 2,700 "Dualit-Plus" electronic toasters that present a possible fire hazard. To date, Waring has received six reports that toasters turned on by themselves after interruptions in the electrical power. Two of these reported instances involved singeing or scorching of areas adjacent to the toasters. No fires or injuries have been reported. The recalled two-slice and four-slice Dualit-Plus electronic toasters, manufactured in England by Dualit Ltd., were imported by Waring Products for distribution in the United States. The toasters were sold nationwide through Williams-Sonoma catalogs and retail stores from October 1993 through September 1994. A small number were also sold at the Waring Products retail outlet in New Hartford. The two-slice model, which sold for $215, has both the following numbers on its baseplate located on the bottom of the toaster: "CTS2E/DOM and 11EA36." The four-slice model, which sold for $299, has both the following numbers on its baseplate: "CTS4E/DOM and 11EA42." The units involved bear serial numbers between 310 and 408, which also can be found on the baseplate. Waring is recalling only Dualit-Plus electronic toasters (those with the letter "E" as the fifth digit of the model number); Dualit toasters with manually operated timers that do not have the letter "E" in the model number are not included in this recall. Consumers who own a recalled Dualit-Plus electronic toaster should immediately unplug the toaster and call Waring toll-free at (800) 831-3960. Waring will send toaster owners a package in which to ship the toaster back to Waring free-of-charge. Waring will arrange to have the toasters picked up at the owner's convenience. Toaster owners can opt to either have the toaster repaired or receive a refund. Consumers who choose to have the toaster repaired will receive a $25 Williams-Sonoma gift certificate from Waring. Customers who purchased the toaster through the Williams-Sonoma catalog have been notified by mail about this recall.

Hazard

To date, Waring has received six reports that toasters turned on by themselves after interruptions in the electrical power.

Incidents & Injuries

To date, Waring has received six reports that toasters turned on by themselves after interruptions in the electrical power. Two of these reported instances involved singeing or scorching of areas adjacent to the toasters. No fires or injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who own a recalled Dualit-Plus electronic toaster should immediately unplug the toaster and call Waring toll-free at (800) 831-3960. Waring will send toaster owners a package in which to ship the toaster back to Waring free-of-charge. Waring will arrange to have the toasters picked up at the owner's convenience. Toaster owners can opt to either have the toaster repaired or receive a refund. Consumers who choose to have the toaster repaired will receive a $25 Williams-Sonoma gift certificate from Waring.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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) 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.