Electric showerhead hot water heaters

CPSC Recall #02-155 — May 6, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-155
Recall DateMay 6, 2002
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 32,500
Manufactured InVenezuela

Where It Was Sold

Hardware stores and home improvement centers sold the recalled hot water heater components in Puerto Rico from January 1999 to March 2002 for about $18.

Product

Electric showerhead hot water heaters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Eugenio Serafin Inc., of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is voluntarily recalling about 32,500 electric showerhead hot water heaters. The showerhead hot water heaters are attached to the shower's water supply piping and connected to the household electrical supply source when central hot water is not available. The nozzle can be easily unscrewed, exposing the uninsulated heater coil. The heater coil's grounding screw does not sufficiently reduce the current through the water, posing an electrocution and shock hazard to the bather.CPSC and Eugenio Serafin have not received any reports of injuries or incidents associated with these showerhead water heaters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.The recalled showerhead hot water heaters were sold under the Corona, Corona Maxi, and Fammy model names. They are packaged in a clear plastic bag with a card that reads in part, "ducha", "HECHO EN VENEZUELA POR: TECHNI" and "MIRANDA, VENEZUELA".Hardware stores and home improvement centers sold the recalled hot water heater components in Puerto Rico from January 1999 to March 2002 for about $18.Consumers should stop using these showerhead hot water heaters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers can contact Eugenio Serafin toll-free at (800) 981-4029 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The nozzle can be easily unscrewed, exposing the uninsulated heater coil. The heater coil's grounding screw does not sufficiently reduce the current through the water, posing an electrocution and shock hazard to the bather.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Eugenio Serafin have not received any reports of injuries or incidents associated with these showerhead water heaters.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these showerhead hot water heaters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.

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.