January
23, 2002
MCM International of Eden Prairie, Minn., is voluntarily
recalling about 50,000 Black Cat™ electric pressure washers. MCM International
imported the pressure washers from a manufacturer in China who installed
counterfeit ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) plugs on some of the units,
without MCM's approval. All of the plugs are labeled "WELLONG";
however, the pressure washers with counterfeit "WELLONG" GFCI plugs
appear virtually identical to those with genuine "WELLONG" GFCIs. It
will require a professional inspection to identify the counterfeit GFCIs. GFCIs
are important safety devices that are intended to protect consumers against
shock or electrocution.
The recalled Black Cat™ pressure washers have a sticker with a cat and the
words "Black-Cat" on each side of the unit. The model numbers - either
BC-2000 or TW-1750 - can be found on a label on the right side of the power
station. The label also reads in part, "Made in China," "High
Pressure Cleaning Machines," and the "Production Date" (which
should fall between March 2001 and July 2001). The GFCI plugs have a green
"Reset" button and a blue "Test" button - some plugs also
have a label that reads "CONNECT TO INDIVIDUAL BRANCH CIRCUIT ONLY."
On the back of the GFCI plug near the electrical prongs are the words "WELLONG"
and "Rainproof." Target and Menard's stores nationwide sold these
pressure washers from August 2001 to September 2001 for between $85 and $100.
Consumers should stop using these pressure washers and call MCM
International at (800) 304-1316 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through
Friday to arrange to have their unit inspected. If necessary, MCM International
will replace the installed GFCI plug with a genuine WELLONG GFCI plug. Any
electrical product that is used near water should contain a GFCI, in the plug
or outlet. Prior to the implementation of the voluntary standard calling for
the inclusion of GFCI plugs with high-pressure cleaning machines, there were
several electrocution deaths and injuries.