Drain Opener Clog Remover and Hair Clog Remover sold in 64. oz bottles

CPSC Recall #01-233 — September 19, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-233
Recall DateSeptember 19, 2001
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 1.1 million

Where It Was Sold

Home Depot
Wal-Mart
Kmart and hardware stores nationwide sold these cleaners from January 2001 through August 2001 for between $3 and $6.

Product

Drain Opener Clog Remover and Hair Clog Remover sold in 64. oz bottles

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Service Industries Inc. (NSI), of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1.1 million bottles of drain cleaner sold in 64 oz., child-resistant bottles. The bottles can leak, allowing the contents of the cleaner to come into contact with consumers. These cleaners can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes. NSI has received 16 reports of the bottles leaking, including three incidents involving skin irritations to the leg and hand, and 13 incidents involving property damage. The following chart provides information concerning the four types of drain cleaners involved in this recall. Only 64-oz. bottles are affected.  Brand NameCleaning ProductUPC CodeRecall Hotline Number,Website Address,E-mail AddressZep Commercial10 Minute Hair Clog Remover21709-52206(888) 805-43579 a.m. to 5 p.m. ETMonday through Friday [email protected] Drain Care Professional Strength Drain Opener Clog Remover21709-60060Enforcer10 Minute Hair Clog Remover21709-52206(800) 241-5656 Ext. 6869 a.m. to 5 p.m. ETMonday through Friday [email protected] Drain Care Professional Strength Drain Opener Clog Remover21709-52212The Drain Opener Clog Remover bottles and caps are white and the Hair Clog Remover bottles and caps are red. Each bottle has the brand name - "Zep Commercial" or "Enforcer" - on a label that also read in part, "Keep all chemicals out of reach of children." Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Kmart and hardware stores nationwide sold these cleaners from January 2001 through August 2001 for between $3 and $6.Consumers should stop using the cleaners immediately and contact the appropriate company to receive a free replacement cap. Consumers should not return the recalled cleaner to the store where purchased.

Hazard

The bottles can leak, allowing the contents of the cleaner to come into contact with consumers. These cleaners can cause irritation and burns to the skin and eyes.

Incidents & Injuries

NSI has received 16 reports of the bottles leaking, including three incidents involving skin irritations to the leg and hand, and 13 incidents involving property damage.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the cleaners immediately and contact the appropriate company to receive a free replacement cap.

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.