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Electrical Refrigerator Defroster

CPSC Recall #77-018 - February 28, 1977

Recall Summary

Recall Number77-018
Recall DateFebruary 28, 1977
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 23,600 units

Where It Was Sold

The majority of the units were sold through mail order companies including Holiday Gifts
Foster & Gallagher
White Industries
Hanover House
Sunset House
Jay Norris and Foster Tren.

Product

Electrical Refrigerator Defroster

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 1) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced that Chadwick-Miller, Inc., Canton, Massachusetts, has voluntarily stopped sale and distribution and is recalling their electrical refrigerator defrosters. Engineering tests conducted by the Commission indicate that the product contains several possible defects capable of causing electric shock to users and/or ignition of the cord. One minor burn injury associated with this defroster has been reported to the Commission. The majority of the units were sold through mail order companies including Holiday Gifts, Foster & Gallagher, White Industries, Hanover House, Sunset House, Jay Norris and Foster Trent and retailed for approximately $5.99. Approximately 23,600 units have been sold over the last two years. The small, portable refrigerator defroster consists of a sheathed heating element housed inside a circular aluminum cage, approximately 6 l/4 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep with a 5-inch black plastic handle. The gold warning label is located on the handle stating: "Warning: Refrigerator must be checked every 2 or 3 minutes while defroster is in use. Do Not place defroster on or near plastic surfaces." The unit sits on three black plastic legs. A separate 4-foot cord set is included. The packaging box is labeled with the name Chadwick and the Model No. 73359. Consumers are urged to immediately cease use of the product. To obtain a full refund for the unit, including postage costs, mail the product to the mail order company where purchased. Consumers should not send the unit directly to Chadwick-Miller, Inc. Recall information on this product is available by calling the Consumer Product Safety Cammission's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772, or by contacting Chadwick-Miller, Pequot Industrial Park, 300 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, 617/828-8300.

Hazard

Engineering tests conducted by the Commission indicate that the product contains several possible defects capable of causing electric shock to users and/or ignition of the cord.

Incidents & Injuries

One minor burn injury associated with this defroster has been reported to the Commission.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are urged to immediately cease use of the product. To obtain a full refund for the unit, including postage costs, mail the product to the mail order company where purchased.

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.

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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 (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.

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