Warning Issued On Electric Water Heaters

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 21) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today warned consumers of a possible serious shock hazard from certain portable, immersible electric water heaters manufactured by the Ambory Corp., of Hazel Park, Mich. One of these heaters was reportedly involved in the recent electrocution of a 17-year-old girl in Little Fork, Minn.

Sold to heat water in and around the home, the heaters are constructed of an exposed resistive heating element contained within a perforated metal case which permits water to contact the heating mechanism. This element is powered by electrical current from a standard electrical outlet. Potential for serious shock injuries, possibly resulting in electrocution, exists when water contacts the powered heating element.

The four heaters in question are the "Ambory Special," "Jiffy, Jr. ," "Jiffy, Sr.," and "Ram." Distributed nationwide, they are sold primarily in hardware stores and tack shops. CPSC estimates that approximately 50,000 of the immersible water heaters are currently in consumers' hands.

On October 20, the Commission authorized its staff to proceed against the Ambory Corp.9 to remove this alleged hazard from the marketplace.

CPSC urges consumers to take extreme caution if they use one of these heaters. All four models are sold with instructions warning users not to touch the water container or the water itself while the heater is "on." Consumers are also directed to turn off the heater and unplug it before testing the water temperature.

Anyone aware of any shock or electrocution incidents associated with an Ambory immersible electric water heater is urged to immediately call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.