CPSC And Amana Work To Fix Refrigerator Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Amana Refrigeration Inc. of Amana, Iowa, initiated a program to fix a shock hazard in certain side-by-side refrigerators.

Amana estimates that approximately 5,000 of the 353,000 side-by-side refrigerators made from April 1993 to September 8, 1994, have a screw on the light cover that could come into contact with a concealed electrical wire to cause a shock. To date, Amana has received four reports of people receiving electrical shocks. The side-by-side refrigerators, which sold nationwide through appliance retailers for about $1,200 to $2,200, have serial numbers 9304000000 through 9409156208. Some of these refrigerators (Models 596.9530820, 596.9530850, 596.9530880, 596.9535610, 596.9535650 and 596.95356800) were sold under the Sears Kenmore brand name. Owners of these Kenmore models with serial numbers within the range will be contacted directly by Sears.

Owners of Amana side-by-side refrigerators with serial numbers within the range who mailed in ownership registration cards will receive screw replacement kits from Amana. The kits contain instructions, a special non- conducting wrench, and nylon replacement screws. Consumers who believe they have one of the recalled units, and who did not mail in their registration cards, should call Amana immediately at (800) 262-6226 for a free screw replacement kit. Media inquiries should be directed to Ann Humbert of Amana at (319) 622-2142.