| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 19, 2004 Release # 05-018 |
Firm’s Hotline: (800) 366-0339 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 |
CPSC, Avanti Products Inc. Announce Recall of Water Dispensers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.Name of product: Avanti Water Dispenser
Units: About 124,000
Manufacturer: Avanti Products Inc., of Miami, Fla..
Hazard: The hot water faucet on these units has a child-resistant safety feature to prevent young children from accessing the hot water. The device can malfunction so that the faucet will not turn off, causing burn injuries to children.
Incidents/Injuries: Avanti has received 10 reports of the hot water not shutting off, nine of which resulted in burn injuries to children, including a 10-month-old baby who suffered burns on his arm and chest.
Description: There are six models of water dispensers with hot water faucets included in the recall. The water dispensers have “Avanti” written on the front of the base. They have model number WD32, WD 50, WD 50.1, WDT51, WDR 52 or WHC 59. The model number is written on a silver sticker on the back of the unit. Model number WDR 52 is a combination refrigerator and water dispenser. All six models have removable drip trays and can hold either 3- or 5-gallon bottles of water.
Sold at: Office Depot, Staples, and other appliance and electronic stores nationwide from July 2000 through August 2004 for between $120 and $250.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers with small children should immediately disable the hot water by turning the red switch on the back of the dispenser to off and contact Avanti to get a free repair.
Consumer Contact: Avanti at (800) 366-0339 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at www.regcen.com/waterdispenser
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