Safety recall

Waxcessories Electric Simmer Pots

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs                          Washington, D.C. 20207

For Immediate Release                                                     Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 899-5884

April 24, 2008                                                                    CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

Release #08-255                                                                 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Waxcessories® Recalls Electric Simmer Pots Due to Risk of Fire and Shock

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of Product: Electric Simmer Pots
Units: About 830,000
Importer: Waxcessories® Inc., of Dracut, Mass.
Hazard:  The simmer pots have wire connections that can become loose, posing a risk of fire and electric shock to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: There have been 161 reports of discolored cords, loose wires, and wires separating from the pot. No injuries have been reported. 

Description:  The electric simmer pots were sold in a variety of styles and were designed to melt scented wax in a ceramic cup. The cup sits on a ceramic base that contains a 40-watt bulb, socket and electric cord. The recall includes all designs of the electric simmer pots and all item numbers.  The words “ELECTRIC SIMMER POT” and the design name are printed on the bar code label, which is located on the bottom of the base. For a complete list of individual item numbers and photos, visit the firm’s recall Web site at www.simmerpotrecall.com.           

Sold at: Gift and novelty shops nationwide from April 2002 through April 2008 for between $17 and $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the simmer pots immediately and contact Waxcessories for instructions on receiving a free replacement product. 

Consumer Contact: For further information, call (800) 899-5884 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the recall Web site at www.simmerpotrecall.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually.  The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.