Ambory Special, Ram, Jiffy Sr./Jr. portable immersible electric water heaters
Check against the official notice below — it lists the full affected range.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning in October 1977 about portable immersible electric water heaters manufactured by Ambory Corp. that pose a serious electrocution hazard. The affected models are the "Ambory Special," "Jiffy, Jr.," "Jiffy, Sr.," and "Ram." These heaters, which were sold nationwide primarily in hardware stores and tack shops, have an exposed heating element in a perforated metal case that allows water to contact the powered element, creating a risk of serious shock or electrocution. One of these heaters was reportedly involved in the electrocution death of a 17-year-old girl in Minnesota.
The commission estimated approximately 50,000 of these heaters were in consumer hands at the time of the warning. Although the heaters come with instructions warning users not to touch the water while the heater is on and to unplug it before testing water temperature, the CPSC urged extreme caution if using one of these devices. According to the record, consumers who are aware of any shock or electrocution incidents associated with an Ambory immersible electric water heater should call the CPSC's toll-free hotline at 800/638-2772. The record does not specify what actions affected consumers should take regarding heaters already in their possession.
Written by software from the official notice below. Not reviewed by a lawyer.
Electrocution/Electric Shock
October 21, 1977 Release # 77-110 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
Official record: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ↗
Republished from the official source above; details can change — the source record controls.