Refrigerator Repair Program Announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 20) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and White-Westinghouse Company today announced that White-Westinghouse is voluntarily modifying 17,508 of its 14-cubic-foot refrigerators because they present a possible shock hazard if not properly grounded.

These refrigerators may contain an improperly placed heater wire, which could, under some circumstances, contact the refrigerator's cabinet or evaporator, thereby presenting a possible shock hazard to a consumer touching the refrigerator. The company emphasizes that no shock incidents have been reported regarding the refrigerators.

The 14-cubic-foot refrigerators subject to the modification are identifiable by model numbers RT146T, RT145T, RT141T, RT144T, RT14XW and RT14YW, which were manufactured between March 8 and Nov. 11,1977, and distributed nationwide, including Puerto Rico. Only those refrigerators bearing serial numbers commencing with the letters RUD, RUE, RUF, RUG, RUH, RUJ, RUK, RUL, and RTG and followed by five numbers are affected.

Consumers are instructed to find the model and serial numbers on the serial plate located on the lower left-front corner of the refrigerator above the kick plate grating. The serial plate is visible only when the refrigerator door is open. In opening the door to view the serial plate, the consumer is cautioned not to touch any other kitchen appliance, including the kitchen sink. Consumers who have a 14-cubic-foot refrigerator within the indicated serial number block should contact the dealer from whom it was purchased for inspection and repair, if necessary, at no charge to the consumer.

If consumers are unable to contact their dealers, they may contact White- Westinghouse at 800-245-0600 (Pennsylvania residents 800-242-0580; Puerto Rico residents 733-5143). If consumers are unable to contact White-Westinghouse, they may contact CPSC at 800-638-2772.