Recall: AmeriGas Propane Cylinder Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 21, 2001 Release # 01-089

AmeriGas Recall Hotline: (888) 428-9779 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052

CPSC, AmeriGas Propane L.P. Announce Another Recall of Propane Cylinders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AmeriGas Propane L.P., of Valley Forge, Pa., is recalling for inspection about 1,600 propane cylinders used to fuel gas grills and other appliances, which were sold or exchanged at stores in Ohio. These cylinders could be overfilled, which can cause them to release flammable propane gas unexpectedly, posing a risk of fires and explosions.

On July 19, 2000, some AmeriGas overfilled cylinders vented propane and ignited, causing an explosion at the AmeriGas plant in Willoughby, Ohio. As a result, AmeriGas Propane L.P. recalled about 100 overfilled propane cylinders distributed in the Detroit, Mich. area in July 2000. One worker suffered minor burns. No consumer injuries have been reported.

These 20-pound AmeriGas propane cylinders are white, and at the time of purchase, had a red, white and blue shrink-wrapped sleeve around them with the names "AmeriGas," "Prefilled Propane Xchange" and "PPX(r)" on them.

Home center, hardware, grocery and convenience stores and service stations sold or exchanged these propane cylinders in 19 northeast Ohio counties from December 2000 through February 15, 2001. The cylinders sold for between $44 and $48, and cost about $14 to exchange. The recalled cylinders were sold or exchanged in Ohio's Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Mahoning, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties.

Consumers who purchased or exchanged one of these AmeriGas propane cylinders should not use their propane appliances, and should not disconnect or transport the cylinder. Consumers should call the AmeriGas toll-free hotline immediately at (888) 428-9779 anytime or check the AmeriGas website at www.amerigas.com for instructions on getting their gas cylinder inspected, and replaced if needed. An AmeriGas representative will contact the consumers to arrange for a cylinder inspection and exchange it for a properly filled tank if necessary.

Cylinders bearing a blue ink six-digit code just below the collar beginning with the letter X and ending with the number 7 are not included in this recall.

As a reminder to all consumers, propane cylinders should not be stored or used indoors or in confined spaces. If you see, hear or smell leaking propane, immediately move far away from the cylinder and call the fire department from another location.