Note: Phone number change, Business ownership change.

CPSC, Bemis Manufacturing Co. Announce Recall To Upgrade Humidifiers

Applies only to units sold before July 18, 1995

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bemis Manufacturing Co. of Sheboygan Falls, Wisc., is announcing a recall to upgrade the safety of approximately 400,000 Waterwick whole house humidifiers. Two electrical switches on the humidifier can overheat and possibly catch fire if cleaning, descaling, and disinfecting solutions are misapplied directly onto the unit's electrical controls.

Consumers should stop using the humidifiers and call Essick Air Products (which bought Bemis Mfg.) at 800-547-3888 between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm CT, Monday through Friday. Essick will arrange for a free pickup and repair of the humidifiers. To promote consumer participation in this safety upgrade program, a free two-stage Air-Care air filter with each upgraded unit will be included. In addition, the upgraded unit will have its warranty extended for 12 months.

This recall program involves only Waterwick whole house (10-12 gallon per day capacity) humidifiers, which have been sold nationwide and in Canada since 1990 at hardware and home supply stores. The humidifiers come in a variety of colors and styles. The control panel in the upper right hand corner of the grill has two control knobs and is labelled in part, "BEMIS WATERWICK." Two 2.6-gallon or greater capacity white water bottles fit inside the humidifier's cabinet. Recalled humidifiers can be identified by the following model numbers located on the large white Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sticker on the back side of the humidifier:

4261 4262 4273 4362 4363 6974 4363CN
4371 4963 4971 4973 6964 6964CN 4261CN

Bemis voluntarily brought this hazard to CPSC's attention and developed a corrective action plan. Bemis is aware of five reports of humidifiers overheating; however, the company and CPSC are not aware of any injuries.

In 2004, Bemis Manufacturing Co. sold its humidifier business to Essick Air Products. Essick will continue to honor the terms of the recall. Consumers can contact Essick at 1-800-547-3888 between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm CT, Monday through Friday.