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Pollenex Whirlpool Hot Spa

CPSC Recall #88-102 - November 16, 1988

Recall Summary

Recall Number88-102
Recall DateNovember 16, 1988
Remedy TypeNew Instructions
Units AffectedAbout 420,000

Product

Pollenex Whirlpool Hot Spa

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The makers of the Pollenex Whirlpool Hot Spa and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced a safety program designed to protect spa users against electrocution that could result from immersion of a spa in a bathtub. The spa maker urges use of its product with specially protected outlets and is offering spa owners plug-in shock protectors at a price below cost. To date, with about 420,000 units shipped since the summer of 1987, CPSC and the company know of no injuries.  The spas consist of a triangular shaped motor, a plastic mat for the bottom of the tub and a flexible hose to connect the two. The name "Pollenex Whirlpool Hot Spa" appears on the top of the motor. The company said that the product is UL listed and, in light of the product's strong warnings, immersion is unlikely. To protect against electrocution if the spa motor is immersed in the tub, owners of the Pollenex Whirlpool Hot Spa are urged to take the following steps:  If Ground Fault Circuit interrupters (GFCIs) protect the bathroom, plug these portable appliances into protected outlets only.  If your outlets are not GFCI protected, order a plug-in GFCI from Pollenex. All Pollenex spa owners may receive the plug-in GFCI, a $20.00 retail value, for $5.00 plus shipping. This GFCI helps protect against other electrical risks around the home as well. To order a plug-in GFCI, Pollenex spa owners should contact the company by calling toll-free 1-800-621-0786.

Hazard

The Pollenex Whirlpool Hot Spa should be used with GCFI protected outlets to protect users against electrocution that could result from immersion of the spa motor in the tub.

Remedy Instructions

If Ground Fault Circuit interrupters (GFCIs) protect the bathroom, users should plug these portable appliances into protected outlets only. If outlets are not GFCI protected, users should order a plug-in GFCI from Pollenex. All Pollenex spa owners may receive the plug-in GFCI, a $20.00 retail value, for $5.00 plus shipping. To order a plug-in GFCI, Pollenex spa owners should contact the company by calling toll-free 1-800-621-0786.

What Should You Do?

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

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