SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Electrical shock / short

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20220509-80CB4-2147356292. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Food Saver Model FM-3945-002 P.N. 197314 (Electric food vacuum sealing syster for home usage.). Incident: Electrical safety hazard regarding FoodSaver Model FM-3945. Want to bring to your attention an electrical safety hazard regarding my FoodSaver. The power cable insulation (16-month-old, moderate usage) has worn away leaving exposed electrical conductors. If one reaches under a plugged-in unit to pick it up, contact with the energized conductors can be made, creating an electrical shock hazard. Report Update: The statement that the product does not present a hazard or unreasonable risk of death is inaccurate. The underside of the food processor has exposed electrical conductors, brought about by normal product usage, energized to a potential of 120 VAC when plugged in. Keeping in mind that a significant number of older homes do not have electrical GFCI protection, an individual could pick up the food processor by the underside, come in contact with the exposed "hot" conductor with one hand while touching a metal appliance (range or cooktop) with the other hand or bare arm (or even a stainless-steel kitchen sink - in some homes copper plumbing can provide a ground for the electrical system) completing an electrical path to ground through the body. The result being electrical current will flow through the body, potentially causing cardiac arrest which could result in injury or even death. Additionally, having damp hands will increase this risk.