CPSC, Bemis Manufacturing Co. Announce Recall To Upgrade Humidifiers
Two electrical switches on the humidifier can overheat and possibly catch fire if cleaning, descaling, and disinfecting solutions are misapplied directly onto the unit's electrical controls.
Approximately 400,000
In 2004, Bemis Manufacturing Co. sold its humidifier business to Essick Air Products. Essick will continue to honor the terms of the recall. Consumers can contact Essick at 1-800-547-3888.
Recall Details
Applies only to units sold before July 18, 1995
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Bemis Manufacturing Co. of Sheboygan Falls, Wisc., is announcing a recall to upgrade the safety of approximately 400,000 Waterwick whole house humidifiers. Two electrical switches on the humidifier can overheat and possibly catch fire if cleaning, descaling, and disinfecting solutions are misapplied directly onto the unit's electrical controls.
Consumers should stop using the humidifiers and call Essick Air Products (which bought Bemis Mfg.) at 800-547-3888 between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm CT, Monday through Friday. Essick will arrange for a free pickup and repair of the humidifiers. To promote consumer participation in this safety upgrade program, a free two-stage Air-Care air filter with each upgraded unit will be included. In addition, the upgraded unit will have its warranty extended for 12 months.
This recall program involves only Waterwick whole house (10-12 gallon per day capacity) humidifiers, which have been sold nationwide and in Canada since 1990 at hardware and home supply stores. The humidifiers come in a variety of colors and styles. The control panel in the upper right hand corner of the grill has two control knobs and is labeled in part, "BEMIS WATERWICK." Two 2.6-gallon or greater capacity white water bottles fit inside the humidifier's cabinet. Recalled humidifiers can be identified by the following model numbers located on the large white Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sticker on the back side of the humidifier:
4261 4262 4273 4362 4363 6974 4363CN
4371 4963 4971 4973 6964 6964CN 4261CN
Bemis voluntarily brought this hazard to CPSC's attention and developed a corrective action plan. Bemis is aware of five reports of humidifiers overheating; however, the company and CPSC are not aware of any injuries.
In 2004, Bemis Manufacturing Co. sold its humidifier business to Essick Air Products. Essick will continue to honor the terms of the recall. Consumers can contact Essick at 1-800-547-3888 between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm CT, Monday through Friday.
Consumers should stop using the humidifiers and call Essick Air Products (which bought Bemis Mfg.) at 800-547-3888 between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm CT, Monday through Friday. Essick will arrange for a free pickup and repair of the humidifiers.
Bemis is aware of five reports of humidifiers overheating; however, the company and CPSC are not aware of any injuries.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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