Electric Hot Pot Recalled

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 17) -- Nevco, of Lyndhurst, N.J. in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced the voluntary recall of 217,000 electric ceramic hot pots. The pots, intended for heating up to 4 cups of liquid such as water or soup, may pose a potential shock hazard to the user.

According to CPSC staff if the heating coil at the bottom of the pot is heated while not immersed in liquid, the coil will be damaged. If a user, while grounded, should subsequently stir the liquid in the pot using a metal article, the user could receive a potentially severe electrical shock.

These hot pots come in various color combinations and are decorated with several different types of decals. The box in which the unit is packaged is clearly marked with the Nevco name. On the bottom of each unit are imprinted the words "120V-350W JAPAN." They have been sold nationwide under the Nevco name since January 1975, and have retailed from $2.99 to $4.99. Because these same unbranded pots have been imported and distributed by other yet unidentified firms, consumers who do not have the box are asked to contact the dealer from whom they purchased the pot or Nevco to confirm that this is one of the pots on which refund can be given.

If so, the consumer should return the hot pot to Nevco, Page & Schuyler Avenues, Lyndhurst, N.J. 07071, with a statement of where the pot was purchased and the amount of the purchase price (and if available, a copy of the sales receipt, the box in which the unit was packed or other documentation of purchase) for a refund, including postage. If a consumer determines that his or her hot pot is not a Nevco pot but otherwise matches the description given above, the consumer is urged to discontinue use and to notify the Commission of the name of the importer or distributor using the toll-free number listed below.