Walgreen Co. Recalls Its Electric Potpourri Pots

PRODUCT: Approximately 14,400 electric potpourri pots sold at Walgreen stores prior to June 1, 1992. The white ceramic pots have a blue colored design on the side of the pots. This design can be a wreath, a flower basket, sea shells, or fruit. The pots have a blue ceramic lid and a white electric power cord. The pot holds approximately one and a half cups of water. The recalled pot has a black plastic bottom and is labeled on the bottom "model WA-00117" and does not have a UL listing mark, although there may be a UL mark on the pot's power cord.

PROBLEM: The electric potpourri pot presents an electric shock hazard if a metal heating element retaining bar inside the sealed base of the pot comes in contact with the unit's power cord terminals. This could permit metal nuts on the outside bottom of the pot to become electrically charged. No incidents of electric shock have been reported to either the Walgreen Company or CPSC. Other retailers may have imported the same potpourri pots. Consumers who suspect that they may have purchased the same model electric potpourri pots from different retailers are requested to call the CPSC hotline at (800) 638-2772 to assist the agency in identifying other possible retailers of this hazardous product.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers who purchased an electric potpourri pot should examine the bottom of the pot for model number WA- 00117. If the pot is marked as model WA-00117 and was purchased at a Walgreen store prior to June 1, 1992 the pot should be returned to Walgreen for a refund or exchange (consumer's option). Consumers may call the Walgreen Company at (800) 289-2273 for assistance in identifying their potpourri pots. Call the CPSC hotline to assist the agency in identifying other possible retailers.

WASHINGTON, DC --- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Walgreen Company, Deerfield, IL, is voluntarily recalling approximately 14,400 electric potpourri pots sold at Walgreen stores prior to June 1, 1992. The potpourri pots present an electric shock hazard to the user if a metal heating element retaining bar inside the sealed base of the pot comes in contact with the unit's power cord terminals. This could permit metal nuts on the outside bottom of the pot to become electrically charged.

The white ceramic electric potpourri pots have a blue colored design painted on the side of the pot: a wreath, a flower basket, sea shells, or fruit. The pots have a blue ceramic lid and a white power cord. The pot holds approximately one and a half cups of water. The pot has a black plastic bottom and is labeled on the bottom "model WA-00117." The pot does not have a UL listing mark on the bottom of the pot, although there may be a UL mark on the pot's power cord. The current model being sold at Walgreen stores looks similar but has a different model number on the bottom of the pot and has been redesigned. The current model does not present this hazard.

Consumers should return electric potpourri pots purchased prior to June 1, 1992 at Walgreen stores for a refund or exchange (consumer's option) at the local Walgreen store. Consumers may also call the Walgreen Company at (800) 289-2273 for assistance. Other retailers may also have imported these same potpourri pots. Only potpourri pots purchased at Walgreen stores should be returned to Walgreen. Consumers who suspect that they purchased the same model electric potpourri pot from different retailers are requested to call the CPSC hotline at (800) 638-2772 to assist the agency in identifying other possible retailers of this hazardous product.

No incidents of electric shock have been reported to Walgreen Company or the CPSC. This recall is being undertaken to prevent such injuries. The CPSC learned of this problem through the Commission's ongoing investigation programs.

CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.