Recall: Atico International USA Inc. Recalls Percolators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2001 Release # 01-187

Atico Recall Hotline: (800) 645-3867 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, Atico International USA Inc. Announce Recall of Percolators

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Atico International USA Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 198,000 electric percolators. If the thermostat fails, the plastic housing of the percolator can overheat and melt while in use, posing a fire hazard.

Atico has received six reports of fires as a result of overheating with these percolators resulting in minor property damage to kitchen counters and cabinets. There have been two reports of minor burns to the hand.

The recall includes Atico's Kitchen Gourmet Automatic 10 Cup Percolator and Prinetti Electric 10 Cup Percolator. The white plastic percolators have gray bases. The Kitchen Gourmet Automatic 10 Cup Percolator is decorated with three red flowers on the front. The Prinetti Electric 10 Cup Percolator is plain white with "Prinetti" written on the front.

Drug and discount stores nationwide sold these percolators from January 1996 through January 2001 for about $10.

Consumers should stop using these percolators immediately and call Atico International toll free at (800) 645-3867 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for information on how to receive a refund.