SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Structural / mechanical failure

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20130106-F731C-2147460189. Severity: Injury, Emergency Department Treatment Received. Matched catalog product: Cuisinart CCO-50BKN Deluxe Electric Can Opener. Source model text: Cuisinart CSB-76 Smartstick Hand Blender. Incident: The incident involves Cuisinart CSB-76 Smartstick Hand Blender. Severe finger laceration requiring approximately 9 stitches occurred after the device failed to turn off while being disassembled. It is possible for the main power switch to be in the "on" position, allowing the blade to continue turning while a second "detach" button is pressed. The detach button is not properly designed, because when pressed, that button should de-energize the appliance before it can be disassembled. I note there have been at least 3 other similar incidents located on the CPSC website, but could find no corrective measures or recalls to date. I recommend that the company be required to recall these devices and install a properly engineered safety interlock device that makes it impossible to energize the blender while it is being disassembled. This would make it impossible for injuries such as this to occur in the future. The instruction manual's advice to unplug the device is important, but fails to meet widely accepted safety engineering standards. Please advice on CPSC's action in this matter. Thank you. Sincerely, [REDACTED]