Coffee Percolators/Coffeemakers Corrected by Corning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 4, 1979 Release # 79-046 Major Corrective Action Set On Corning Ware Coffee Percolators WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 4) -- Corning Glass Works and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a voluntary action by the company to remove virtually all Corning Ware coffee percolators from consumer use. Some of these coffeemakers can be dangerous to use because the handle and metal band may separate without warning from the white glass-ceramic pot. Consumers owning Corning Ware percolators are advised to stop using them immediately. If such a separation occurs on a coffeemaker containing hot liquid, the consumer can be burned. As part of its voluntary corrective action, Corning has prepared an incentive program to get consumers to stop using these coffeemakers. The company has purchased advertising space in hundreds of newspapers nationwide telling consumers what to do. The advertisements, scheduled to appear beginning September 10th, will contain coupons through which coffeemaker owners may obtain details from Corning regarding the plan. Consumers also may receive information concerning the program from Corning Glass Works, P.O. BOX 5750, Corning, New York 14830, but are requested to use the coupons which will be appearing in their local newspapers. The Commission has accepted Corning's Corrective action Plan. Corning has manufactured and sold approximately 18.5 million Corning Ware percolators since they were introduced in 1960. Due to normal product attrition, a smaller number is believed to be still in use. In 1976 Corning recalled approximately 400,000 electromatic percolators manufactured in 1974. With respect to its other percolators, since 1972 Corning has received approximately 7,000 separation complaints including reports of approximately 1,250 injuries. Corning said these represent approximately 4 complaints and 0.7 injury complaints per 10,000 percolators sold. Corning said that these rates are low, but it has decided voluntarily to remove the percolators from service rather than risk any further injuries or inconvenience on the part of its customers. The cause of the separation problem has been traced to the epoxy sealant which was intended to fasten the handle/metal band assembly to the white glass-ceramic pot. This sealant can dry out and become brittle, causing the two parts to separate without warning. The separation problem does not extend to Corning's "Pyrex" brand clear glass percolators or to any other Corning coffeemakers, and those products are not included in the program, Corning said. The Commission and Corning request that consumers not return coffeemakers to the company or to retailers. They should be taken out of use immediately and retained until the owner receives instructions on the program from Corning. Corning said consumers should allow at least eight weeks for the company's response.
June 28, 1978 Release # 78-056 Sewing Machine Quality Assurance Program Announced WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 28)-- Bernina Sewing Machines of Switzerland, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary corrective action program involving the Type 213 foot pedals of Bernina sewing machines manufactured between late 1969 and January, 1976. Sewing machine owners will be notified directly by the company and sent an easy- to-install kit, free of charge, to remedy the problem. The foot pedal (or speed regulator) of the sewing machine may overheat if a switch within the pedal remains in a "closed" position. This may increase the possibility of a short circuit or fire in the pedal. As a safety precaution, owners are urged to unplug the machine when not in use and to avoid placing foreign objects on or near the foot pedal. According to Bernina, no injuries have been reported in connection with the sewing machines sold with this foot pedal. To correct the overheating problem, Bernina is offering a thermally activated switch for all the Type 213 black foot pedals. This number is stamped on the bottom of the foot pedal. (Those pedals stamped with a blue "T" already contain the thermally activated switch.) Bernina is identifying and contacting the owners of these sewing machines by letter to advise them that the thermally activated switch should be installed without delay. In addition, Bernina retailers will assist any consumer having difficulty in replacing the switch and have posted in-store notices explaining the problem. Consumers with the Type 213 foot pedals should contact their local Bernina retailer or any of Bernina's four American distributors if they have not been notified by the company or if they have questions concerning the recall program. The four American distributors are: Larson Bernina Corporation, 2017 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407; Swiss-Bernina Inc., 534 W. Chestnut Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521; Bernina Sewing Machine Company, Inc., 70 Orchard Drive, North Salt Lake, UT 84054; and Bernina Distributors, Inc., 2401 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
June 5, 1978 Release # 78-042 CPSC Announces Replacement/Refitting Program For Electric Deep Fryers WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 5) -- American Electric Corp., Culver City, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary replacement, refitting and refund program involving two styles of its model 7000 "Great American Frying Machine," mini electric deep fryers, because they may pose an electric shock hazard. CPSC is aware of one alleged electric shock incident involving each fryer style out of approximately 260,000 marketed. Both styles retailed for about $14.95, and were sold nationwide. This program does not apply to model 7000A fryers. One of the model 7000 styles has two white plastic carrying handles and stands on three black plastic legs. It is encased in a two-tone metal housing with a black top half and a gold bottom half. This style was marketed between January and April 1977. The company will replace this style free of charge. The second style is similar to the first, except it has a black plastic circular base and a single bucket-type plastic handle. This style was marketed between April and December 1977. The company will refit this style with additional electrical insulation. The company warns consumers to immediately stop using these mini fryers and return them to American Electric Corp., 9937 W. Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, Calif. 90230, Attention: Consumer Relations Department. CPSC believes that these two styles of mini deep fryers may, in some instances, pose a potential shock hazard because of the possibility that internal wiring may move during use and contact the metal casing. Any consumer who wants a refund for either style must send the unit to the American Electric Corp., along with proof of purchase indicating the price. Consumers will be reimbursed for postage costs. Consumers who desire information about this program should contact the Consumer Relations Department of the American Electric Corp. at the address cited above, or call the company at (213) 871-2222. To verify the model number, contact CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772