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Gemco Glass Whistler Tea Kettle

CPSC Recall #84-043 - June 25, 1984

Recall Summary

Recall Number84-043
Recall DateJune 25, 1984
Remedy TypeDispose
Units AffectedOver 1 million
ManufacturerGEMCO Ware, Inc., of Freeport, New York

Product

Gemco Glass Whistler Tea Kettle

Description

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with GEMCO Ware, Inc., Freeport, New York, today warned consumers of a possible hazard associated with the use of the Whistler Glass Tea Kettle manufactured by GEMCO Ware, Inc.The product is an 8-cup glass tea kettle with a plastic collar and handle. Imprinted on the front of the glass tea kettle is "The Whistler." If the tea kettle is placed off center over a high flame on a gas range, it may cause the plastic handle to soften and as a result the collar may loosen and dislodge from the glass tea kettle. If the kettle is then lifted, boiling water could splash on the user and result in scalds or burns.The CPSC is aware of some 33 incidents resulting from handle failure where the handle softened and detached from the glass tea kettle. Sixteen scald or minor burn injuries have been reported. GEMCO has manufactured in excess of 1 million units each year since 1977.The company has redesigned the handle of The Whistler Tea Kettle. The new model will have a stainless steel collar.To avoid injury, consumers should observe the following precautions:Boil on low or medium flame only.Pot should be placed on center of burner.Always make sure that there is water in the pot when it is being heated. Never allow it to boil dry.On an open electric element use a trivet.In addition, consumers are urged to follow all of the manufacturer's warnings imprinted on the pot and on the enclosed labels.If you have one of these pots and the handle shows signs of deformation, discontinue use of the pot and discard it.No other GEMCO glass tea kettles or other products are involved.Information concerning this matter may be obtained from GEMCO Ware Inc., One Gemco Plaza, Freeport, New York 11520, Telephone 516-623-9300 and is available to consumers on CPSC's toll free hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number of hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.

Hazard

If the tea kettle is placed off center over a high flame on a gas range, it may cause the plastic handle to soften and as a result the collar may loosen and dislodge from the glass tea kettle. If the kettle is then lifted, boiling water could splash on the user and result in scalds or burns.

Incidents & Injuries

The CPSC is aware of some 33 incidents resulting from handle failure where the handle softened and detached from the glass tea kettle. Sixteen scald or minor burn injuries have been reported. 

Remedy Instructions

If you have one of these pots and the handle shows signs of deformation, discontinue use of the pot and discard it.

What Should You Do?

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