Recall: Bubbles Bathtubs May Electrocute
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| January 08, 1988 | |
| Release # 88-002 | |
CPSC CAUTIONS BUBBLER BATHTUBS MAY ELECTROCUTE
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers to use caution to avoid being electrocuted when using bubbler bathtub spas.The appliances typically consist of a mat placed on the bottom of the tub, a control and motor unit placed outside the tub, and a flexible air hose connecting the motor to the mat. If the motor should fall into the tub, the bather could be electrocuted.
While CPSC is not aware of any fatalities caused by these the agency is concerned about the relatively new bath appliances, accidental pulling or falling of the motor and control unit into the bath water. This could result in electrocution or serious shock injuries to persons in the tub, whether the unit is in the "on" or "off" position.
The Commission offers the following guidelines for using these types of bathtub spas safely:
- Don't take chances. Place the motor unit on the floor away from the bathtub so it cannot fall into the tub. If you have a sunken tub, place the motor unit as far away as possible.
- Never put the motor unit on a toilet lid, shelf, or vanity where it could fall into water if the unit is knocked over or the air hose is accidentally pulled.
- If an electrical appliance should fall in the bath water, in either the "on" or "off" position, do not touch it or reach into the water immediately shut off the electricity to the appliance by pulling its plug from the receptacle. Don't use the appliance until it has been checked by a qualified service center.
- Never-allow young children to use the bathtub spa unless there is an adult in the bathroom at all times.
- When the appliance is not being used, store it out of reach of children. Unsupervised children may place or knock the bathtub spa motor into the bath.
- Always use caution when operating any electric appliance near water. Although some of these products have protective devices designed to prevent electrocution, no safety device offers absolute protection. Always test the safety devices according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Finally, for additional protection against electrocution, if electric outlets in the bathroom are not equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), have them installed by a qualified person.
