Robertshaw Recalls Unitrol LP Gas Water Heater Control Valves
Robertshaw Controls is recalling Unitrol 110 and 200 LP gas water heater control valves manufactured between 1954 and 1957 due to risks of explosion, fire, and death.
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 reports 48 deaths and 89 serious injuries associated with the product, which meets the rubric criteria for a Critical severity score.
Plain-English summary
Robertshaw Controls Company is recalling Unitrol 110 and 200 liquid propane (LP) gas water heater control valves. These specific valves were manufactured between December 1954 and March 1957. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The affected valves may be involved in severe burn injuries and death resulting from explosions and fires. Since 1957, 48 deaths and 89 serious injuries involving water heaters using these controls have occurred. Because the controls are nearly thirty years old, there is no practical way to estimate how many remain in use.
Consumers should check their LP gas water heaters for Unitrol Model 110 or 200 controls with date codes containing the letters W or X, or the combinations LV, AY, BY, or CY. If an affected unit is found, consumers should not attempt to remove or check the operation of the controls themselves. Instead, they should contact Robertshaw at 1-800-421-1130 (or 1-800-262-1173 in California) to arrange for a free replacement and receive a $50 bounty.
The recalled product
- Product
- Unitrol liquid propane (LP) gas water heater control valves
- Manufacturer
- Robertshaw Controls
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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