News from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20207

For Immediate Release Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 747-0222

March 4, 2009 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

Release #09-141 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Ritchie Immersion Heaters Recalled By Springfield Wire Due to Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following product. Users should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Ritchie Immersion Heaters

Units: About 13,000

Manufacturer: Springfield Wire Inc. (SWI), of Springfield, Mass.

Distributor: Ritchie Industries, of Conrad, Iowa

Hazard: The outer cover of the immersion heater can crack and expose the heating element to water, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: SWI has received 44 reports of covers cracking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Ritchie Immersion Heaters with model numbers 17863 (120v/250w), 17939 (240v/250w or 240v/325w), and 17940 (240v/325w). The immersion heater is designed to be submerged in a cattle trough to keep the water from freezing. The model number along with “SWI” is printed on one side of the heating element and a sticker reading “Ritchie Specialty Products” is found on the other side.

Sold by: Ritchie distributors nationwide from February 2007 through November 2008 for about $60 to $70.

Manufactured in: United States (2007) and Mexico (2008)

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled immersion heater and return it to the place of purchase for a free replacement heater.

Contact: For additional information, contact Ritchie Industries at (800) 747-0222 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, visit the firms’ Web sites at www.springfield-wire.com or www.ritchiefount.com, or contact the dealer from which the heater was purchased.