The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·07522·Announced 2007-01-22

DS Waters Recalls Contact Hot and Cold Water Coolers for Fire Hazard

DS Waters is recalling about 8,700 Contact Hot and Cold Water Coolers because a water leak can cause an electrical arc and fire. No injuries have been reported.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with five reported instances of property damage, which meets the rubric criteria for 'Severe' (score 4) regarding significant property-damage reports.

Plain-English summary

DS Waters of America Inc. is recalling approximately 8,700 Contact Hot and Cold Water Coolers due to a fire hazard. The recall involves units with serial numbers beginning with the letter "J" followed by nine digits, located on the lower right-hand side of the serial plate. The model name "Contact" is written on the right-hand side of the serial plate.

A water leak inside the cooler can create an electrical arc, posing a fire risk. DS Waters has received 20 reports of the water cooler making a crackling noise or catching on fire, including five reports of property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled water coolers were sold through direct sales nationwide from April 2004 to August 2006 for about $220. Consumers should stop using the recalled water coolers, unplug them, and call DS Waters at (800) 480-1434 for a replacement water cooler at no additional cost.

The recalled product

Product
Contact Hot and Cold Water Coolers
Category
Consumer Product — Water Coolers
Hazard
Affected units
8,700

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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