The Recall Desk
Our severity:CriticalCPSC·74008·Announced 1974-02-15

CPSC Warns of Electric Shock Hazard in Gas and Electric Clothes Dryers

CPSC warns that approximately 3,000 gas and electric clothes dryers may have defective timers capable of causing fatal electric shock. Consumers are urged to unplug affected units immediately.

What this means for you

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

Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states the defective timers are 'capable of causing fatal electric shock,' which aligns with the rubric criterion for Critical severity involving known or potential fatalities.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning on February 15, 1974, regarding approximately 3,000 gas and electric clothes dryers manufactured after November 8, 1973. These units, sold over the preceding four months, may contain potentially defective timers that are capable of causing fatal electric shock. The affected dryers are sold under the brands Kelvinator, Bradford, Admiral, Hamilton, and Coronado.

The defective timers were manufactured by Lux Time Company of Connecticut, a division of Robertshaw Controls Company, and distributed through Franklin Manufacturing Company. Franklin Manufacturing reported the defect to the Commission on February 12, 1974, and has directed its customers to halt delivery of the dryers. The specific model and serial numbers for the affected units are listed in the official recall documentation.

Owners of the suspect units are urged to immediately unplug the dryer, taking care not to touch any metal surfaces. Consumers who may have purchased any of the dryers in question should contact the dealer from whom the unit was purchased for an inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the control at no cost to the customer. For further information, consumers can call the CPSC toll-free hot line at (800) 638-2772.

The recalled product

Product
Admiral gas and electric clothes dryers
Manufacturer
Robertshaw Controls
Category
Consumer Product — Clothes Dryers
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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