The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·02134·Announced 2002-04-04

Crystal Mountain Recalls Hot & Cold Water Dispensers Due to Fire Hazard

Crystal Mountain Water Cooler Corp. is recalling about 12,000 hot and cold water dispensers because the heater band can short circuit, posing a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with reported property damage up to $200,000, which meets the rubric criteria for 'Severe' (significant property-damage reports).

Plain-English summary

Crystal Mountain Water Cooler Corp. is recalling approximately 12,000 Hot & Cold Water Dispensers. The recall is due to a defect in the heater band, which can short circuit and pose a fire hazard to consumers. The affected units are upright water dispensers with two faucets, one with a red lever and one with a blue lever. They stand 35 5/8 inches high and weigh 36.43 pounds. Only water coolers with serial numbers between 1199125 and 1100175 are included in the recall.

The company has received about 20 reports of the water cooler's insulation smoking or igniting the unit. Damages ranged from minor smoke and fire damage up to $200,000 in property damage. Crystal Mountain and its distributors sold these water coolers in the U.S. and Canada from May 1999 through July 2000 for about $300. Approximately eighty percent of the water dispensers were sold in the United States.

Consumers should turn off the hot tank power switch or unplug the units immediately. They should contact Crystal Mountain at (866) 678-4886 to receive repair information. Consumers should have the serial number of their water cooler available at the time of the call.

The recalled product

Product
Hot & Cold Water Dispensers
Manufacturer
Crystal Mountain Water Cooler Corp., of Alberta, Canada
Category
Consumer Product — Water Dispensers
Hazard
Affected units
12,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

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