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Elkay hot/cold bottled water coolers

CPSC Recall #04-175 — July 12, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-175
Recall DateJuly 12, 2004
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected145,000
ManufacturerElkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill.
Manufactured InUnited States and Malaysia

Where It Was Sold

Bottled water companies and other businesses in the U.S. and Canada
who in turn sold or leased the recalled coolers from 1997 through 2002. Recalled coolers also were sold at BJs Wholesale Club and Sam's Club stores nationwide from 1999 through October 2003. Prices ranged from $139 to $149.

Product

Elkay hot/cold bottled water coolers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill. is voluntarily recalling 145,000 Elkay hot/cold bottled water coolers. These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.Name of product: Elkay hot/cold bottled water coolersUnits: 145,000Manufacturer: Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill.Hazard: These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: There have been 14 reports of overheating, but no injuries reported.Description: These 115-volt hot/cold bottled water coolers have both cold and hot water faucets. Most of the coolers are white, but some are granite colored. The water coolers have the name "Elkay" on the serial number plate on the back of the unit. The five design names are: Classic, Legend, Eclipse, Sentry, and Legend Countertop. Consumers should go to the Elkay recall website at www.coolerfix.com and type in their serial number to determine if the water cooler is recalled. Consumers also can call the firm at (800) 260-6640 to determine if their water cooler is included in the recall. The recall also includes a small number of point-of-use water coolers sold for commercial use. Commercial customers are being directly notified of the recall. Point-of-use water coolers have the water plumbed directly to the units.Sold to: Bottled water companies and other businesses in the U.S. and Canada, who in turn sold or leased the recalled coolers from 1997 through 2002. Recalled coolers also were sold at BJs Wholesale Club and Sam's Club stores nationwide from 1999 through October 2003. Prices ranged from $139 to $149.Manufactured in: U.S.A. and MalaysiaRemedy: Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and point-of-use water coolers also should check their cooler to see if it is recalled, and unplug the cooler if it is recalled. Contact Elkay to get information about a free repair of the recalled coolers.Consumer Contact: Call Elkay at (800) 260-6640 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or go to the company's recall website at www.coolerfix.com.

Hazard

These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

There have been 14 reports of overheating, but no injuries reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and point-of-use water coolers also should check their cooler to see if it is recalled, and unplug the cooler if it is recalled. Contact Elkay to get information about a free repair of the recalled coolers.

What Should You Do?

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