Miti-Mite portable immersible electric water heaters
Check against the official notice below — it lists the full affected range.
Rhinehart Manufacturing Co. is warning consumers about a shock hazard in its "Miti-Mite" portable electric water heater. The heater, which has been sold for approximately 15 years with between 15,000 and 25,000 units distributed, consists of an exposed heating element inside a perforated aluminum case. When plugged into a standard electrical outlet and immersed in water while turned on, the heater presents a dangerous electrocution risk because water can flow directly into contact with the heating element. The heater has no model number but can be identified by the "Miti-Mite" label embossed on top and typically sells for $4–$5. As of the recall announcement, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission knew of no injuries from these heaters.
Consumers who own a "Miti-Mite" heater should immediately stop using it. According to the recall, affected consumers should return the heater for a refund to Rhinehart Manufacturing Co., Spencerville, Indiana 47688, or call 219/238-4442. The company no longer manufactures or repairs these heaters.
Written by software from the official notice below. Not reviewed by a lawyer.
Electrocution/Electric Shock
October 18, 1978 Release # 78-085 Portable Water Heaters Recalled WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 18) -- Rhinehart Manufacturing Co., Spencerville, Ind., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today warned consumers about a possible serious shock hazard stemming from its "Miti-Mite" portable, immersible electric water heater. About 15,000 to 25,000 heaters have been sold since production began 15 years ago. The heaters are primarily used to heat small quantities of water in rural areas without hot water facilities. The heater is to be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. It consists of an exposed, resistive heating element contained inside a disc-shaped, perforated, aluminum case. This perforated case allows water to flow inside and directly into contact with the heating element, presenting a dangerous shock hazard if the appliance is "on" and immersed in water. To date, CPSC knows of no injuries involving the Rhinehart heaters. The heater does not bear a model number, but can be identified by the label "Miti-Mite" embossed on top. The heaters are sold in outlets such as hardware stores. They presently sell for about $4-$5 and distribution may be nationwide. An unknown number are currently in consumers' hands. Consumers are warned they may be electrocuted if they touch the water container or the water itself while the heater is "on" and immersed in water. Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters and return them for a refund to: Rhinehart Manufacturing Co., Spencerville, Ind. 47688 (telephone: 219/238-4442). Rhinehart no longer manufactures or repairs the "Miti-Mite" heaters
Official record: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ↗
Republished from the official source above; details can change — the source record controls.