Refrigerator repair program announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 20) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Kelvinator Appliance Co. today announced that Kelvinator is voluntarily modifying 1,508 of its 14-cubit-foot refrigerators because they present a possible shock hazard if not properly grounded and that all but 341 of the refrigerators have already been modified.

These refrigerators may contain an improperly placed heater wire which could, under sane 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-cubit-foot refrigerators subject to the modification are identifiable by model number TPX140MN, manufactured between October 19 and November 11, 1977. Only those refrigerators bearing a 10-digit serial number beginning with 107 are affected.

Consumers are instructed to find the model and serial numbers on the serial plate located on the lower left-front comer 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 TPX140MN 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 the dealers, they may contact Kelvinator at 616-455-9190. If consumers are unable to contact Kelvinator, they may contact CPSC at 800-638-2772.