FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2001
Release # 01-089
AmeriGas Recall Hotline: (888) 428-9779 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC, AmeriGas Propane L.P. Announce Another Recall of Propane Cylinders
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), AmeriGas Propane L.P., of Valley Forge, Pa., is
recalling for inspection about 1,600 propane cylinders used to fuel gas
grills and other appliances, which were sold or exchanged at stores in
Ohio. These cylinders could be overfilled, which can cause them to
release flammable propane gas unexpectedly, posing a risk of fires and
explosions.
On July 19, 2000, some AmeriGas overfilled cylinders vented
propane and ignited, causing an explosion at the AmeriGas plant in
Willoughby, Ohio. As a result, AmeriGas Propane L.P. recalled about 100
overfilled propane cylinders distributed in the Detroit, Mich. area in
July 2000. One worker suffered minor burns. No consumer injuries have
been reported.
These 20-pound AmeriGas propane cylinders are white, and at the
time of purchase, had a red, white and blue shrink-wrapped sleeve around
them with the names "AmeriGas," "Prefilled Propane Xchange" and "PPX(r)"
on them.
Home center, hardware, grocery and convenience stores and service
stations sold or exchanged these propane cylinders in 19 northeast Ohio
counties from December 2000 through February 15, 2001. The cylinders
sold for between $44 and $48, and cost about $14 to exchange. The
recalled cylinders were sold or exchanged in Ohio's Ashland, Ashtabula,
Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Lake, Lorain,
Medina, Mahoning, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas
and Wayne counties.
Consumers who purchased or exchanged one of these AmeriGas propane
cylinders should not use their propane appliances, and should not
disconnect or transport the cylinder. Consumers should call the AmeriGas
toll-free hotline immediately at (888) 428-9779 anytime or check the
AmeriGas website at www.amerigas.com for instructions on getting their
gas cylinder inspected, and replaced if needed. An AmeriGas
representative will contact the consumers to arrange for a cylinder
inspection and exchange it for a properly filled tank if necessary.
Cylinders bearing a blue ink six-digit code just below the collar
beginning with the letter X and ending with the number 7 are not
included in this recall.
As a reminder to all consumers, propane cylinders should not be
stored or used indoors or in confined spaces. If you see, hear or smell
leaking propane, immediately move far away from the cylinder and call
the fire department from another location.