WASHINGTON, D.C. (KCTV) -
The United States is voluntary recalling millions of faulty flushing mechanisms that have caused toilets to explode, creating "laceration hazards" for toilet users.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Flushmate, a division of Sloan Valve Company, announced Tuesday about 2,330,600 faulty flushing mechanisms are being recalled in the U.S. and 9,400 in Canada.
Officials said the system can burst at or near the vessel weld seam releasing stored pressure. The pressure can lift the tank lid and shatter the tank, posing impact or laceration hazards to consumers and property damage.
Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately.
Flushmate has received 304 reports of the product bursting, resulting in property damage and 14 impact or laceration injuries.
The recall is for Series 503 Flushmate III pressure assist flushing systems installed inside toilet tanks. The recalled systems were manufactured from October 1997 to February 2008. The units are rectangular, black, two-piece vessels made of injection molded plastic.
The date code/serial number is 16 characters long and is located on the label on the top of the Flushmate III. The first six numerals of the serial number are the date code. The date code range for this recall begins with 101497 (October 14, 1997) and continues through 022908 (February 29, 2008).
The system were sold at Home Depot and Lowe's stores, distributors and plumbing contractors nationwide for about $108, and sold to toilet manufacturers including American Standard, Crane, Eljer, Gerber, Kohler, Mansfield and St. Thomas.
Consumers should immediately turn off the water supply to the recalled Flushmate III unit and stop using the system. They should contact the firm to determine if their Flushmate III serial number is included in the recall and to request a free repair kit.
For more information, contact Flushmate toll-free at 800-303-5123 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at http://flushmate.com/recall/.
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