FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 1998
Release # 98-145
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Company Phone Number: (800) 782-7431
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
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CPSC, Warns That Old Servel Gas Refrigerators Still In Use Can Be Deadly
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Government safety experts continue to
warn consumers to stop using Servel gas refrigerators
manufactured between 1933 and 1957 due to the risk of carbon
monoxide leakage in deadly quantities.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
reports there have been at least 39 incidents in the U.S.
involving these old Servel gas refrigerators, causing 22
carbon monoxide-related deaths and 55 injuries nationwide.
There also have been incidents reported in Ontario, Canada,
causing 60 deaths.
Because historical sales and distribution records of
these early Servel models are unavailable, it is not
possible to determine who still owns and uses these
refrigerators. The Servels continue to be used in hunting
cabins, vacation cottages and remote areas of the nation
where there is no electricity, or where gas is the preferred
energy source.
Over a period of time, especially if the refrigerator
has not been used recently, the gas burner can be fouled by
dust, dirt, rust or other obstructions. Any gas refrigerator
with an improperly adjusted or partially plugged burner can
produce substantial amounts of carbon monoxide.
Consumers can call the Servel Corrective Action
Committee (SCAC) toll free at (800) 782-7431 anytime to
receive a rebate package that includes instructions for
disposing of their Servel gas refrigerator. Consumers who
properly dispose of their old Servels will receive a $100
rebate plus reimbursement for reasonable disposal costs.
Since this recall program was launched in 1990, more than
22,000 refrigerators have been destroyed. On average, 100
new requests for rebates are mailed to SCAC monthly,
demonstrating that there are still many more in use.
Consumers who insist on keeping their old Servel
refrigerators should move them to an outdoor shelter, shed
or garage not connected to the house or cottage. CPSC urges
owners to secure or restrict access to refrigerators kept
outside and, when discarding any refrigerator, to remove its
door. This will prevent children from playing in the
refrigerator and possibly getting trapped and suffocating
inside.
CPSC advises that all gas refrigerators be serviced
regularly by licensed technicians in order to assure their
safe operation. They also should be inspected after they are
moved and before they are turned on after a seasonal
shutdown. Special attention should be paid to blockages in
burners and flues.
No longer in business, Servel manufactured gas
refrigerators between 1933 and 1957. The Servel
refrigerators in question are no longer being produced and
are in no way associated with the Dometic Corp., the current
manufacturer of Servel brand name products.
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