Junction Boxes used with Water Heaters
CPSC Recall #07-569 — August 12, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-569 |
| Recall Date | August 12, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 2,800 |
Where It Was Sold
| Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative from June 1989 through late 2002. |
Product
Junction Boxes used with Water Heaters
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative, of Paxton, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 2,800 Junction Boxes Used with Water Heaters. Wiring connections within the junction box can become loose, posing an overheating and fire hazard.Name of Product: Junction Boxes used with Water HeatersUnits: About 2,800Distributor: Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative, of Paxton, Ill.Hazard: Wiring connections within the junction box can become loose, posing an overheating and fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative has received 25 reports of overheating or melted wiring and wiring connectors. No injuries have been reported.Description: This recall involves junction boxes installed between the water heater and load management switch. The metal junction boxes measure about 4 inches by 4 inches and have no markings. The junction box contains wiring connections for water heaters.Sold by: Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative from June 1989 through late 2002.Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative to schedule an appointment to have the switches re-wired at no cost. Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative has contacted consumers with recalled junction boxes directly.Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative at (800) 824-5102 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.eiec.coop.
Hazard
Wiring connections within the junction box can become loose, posing an overheating and fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative has received 25 reports of overheating or melted wiring and wiring connectors. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately contact Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative to schedule an appointment to have the switches re-wired at no cost. Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative has contacted consumers with recalled junction boxes directly.
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.
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.