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Hydro Air suction drain cover fittings

CPSC Recall #82-023 - May 27, 1982

Recall Summary

Recall Number82-023
Recall DateMay 27, 1982
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 125,000

Product

Hydro Air suction drain cover fittings

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Hydro Air Industries Inc., Orange, California, today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 125,000 suction drain cover fittings for spas, hot tubs and whirlpools because of the danger of hair entrapment. Three incidents have occurred when pre-teenage girls put their heads under water and their long hair became entangled in the suction drain cover fitting. Two incidents resulted in death by drowning, and in one incident the victim was pulled free. Water is drawn from the spa through 3-5/8 inch plastic suction fitting or drain covers located on the wall of the spa 1-3 inches from the bottom. A powerful strong suction exists at the water outlet suction fitting or drain cover when the high speed whirlpool suction is turned on. The Hydro Air suction drain cover fittings can be identified by the three slots on the face of the fitting cover. The middle slot measures 3/16 inches by 1-1/2 inches and the two slots on either side measure 3/16 inches by 1-1/4. These suction/drain cover fittings have been sold nationwide since 1979. Most sales occurred within California, Arizona, Texas and Florida. Consumers should immediately stop using their hot tubs, spas and whirlpools. They should contact the company responsible for the installation, or Hydro Air Industries, Inc. (1317 W. Grove, Orange, CA 92665, Telephone: 714-974-1920, call collect), to determine whether their unit has a defective suction/drain cover and to make arrangements for a free replacement.

Hazard

Hydro Air Industries Inc., Orange, California, announced a voluntary recall of approximately 125,000 suction drain cover fittings for spas, hot tubs and whirlpools because of the danger of hair entrapment.

Incidents & Injuries

Three incidents have occurred when pre-teenage girls put their heads under water and their long hair became entangled in the suction drain cover fitting. Two incidents resulted in death by drowning, and in one incident the victim was pulled free.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using their hot tubs, spas and whirlpools. They should contact the company responsible for the installation, or Hydro Air Industries, Inc. (1317 W. Grove, Orange, CA 92665, Telephone: 714-974-1920, call collect), to determine whether their unit has a defective suction/drain cover and to make arrangements for a free replacement.

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.

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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 (Replace) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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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