Recall: Elkay Manufacturing Co. Recall of Bottled Water Coolers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2004 Release # 04-175

Elkay's Hotline: (800) 788-2499 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Elkay Manufacturing Co. Announce Recall of Bottled Water Coolers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Elkay hot/cold bottled water coolers

Units: 145,000

Manufacturer: Elkay Manufacturing Company, of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: These electric water coolers can overheat and present a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been 14 reports of overheating, but no injuries reported.

Description: These 115 volt hot/cold bottled water coolers have both cold and hot water faucets. Most of the coolers are white, but some are granite colored. The water coolers have the name "Elkay" on the serial number plate on the back of the unit. The five design names are: Classic, Legend, Eclipse, Sentry and Legend Countertop. Consumers should go to the Elkay recall Web site at www.coolerfix.com and type in their serial number to determine if the water cooler is recalled. Consumers also can call the firm at (800) 788-2499 to determine if their water cooler is included in the recall. The recall also includes a small number of point-of-use water coolers sold for commercial use. Commercial customers are being directly notified of the recall. Point-of-use water coolers have the water plumbed directly to the units.

Sold to: Bottled water companies and other businesses in the U.S. and Canada, who in turn sold or leased the recalled coolers from 1997 through 2002. Recalled coolers also were sold at BJs Wholesale Club and Sam's Club stores nationwide from 1999 through October 2003. Prices ranged from $139 to $149.

Manufactured in: U.S.A. and Malaysia

Remedy: Consumers should unplug the recalled water coolers immediately. Commercial customers who lease or own Elkay hot/cold bottled and point- of-use water coolers also should check their cooler to see if it is recalled, and unplug the cooler if it is recalled. Contact Elkay to get information about a free repair of the recalled coolers.

Consumer Contact: Call Elkay at (800) 788-2499 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or go to the company's recall Web site at www.coolerfix.com