CPSC Recall in 2003: CPSC, Emerson Tool Company Announce Recall of Wet/Dry Vacuums

Updated on March 25, 2026.

See the recall details below. You can also see similar information for other consumer product recalls in 2003.

Data Source: CPSC.

Recall Number: 04-053

Date: December 15, 2003

Product Name: Craftsman 16-gallon and RIDGID 12- and 16-gallon wet/dry vacuums

Recall Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is voluntarily recalling Wet/Dry Vacuums. The exhaust blower ports on the wet/dry vacuums are large enough for a small child to reach inside and touch the spinning blower wheel. This poses a laceration hazard to small children.Name of product: Wet/Dry VacuumsManufacturer: Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.Hazard: The exhaust blower ports on the wet/dry vacuums are large enough for a small child to reach inside and touch the spinning blower wheel. This poses a laceration hazard to small children.Incidents/Injuries: Emerson Tool Company has received 10 reports of children inserting their arms into the ports and receiving minor cuts and abrasions to their fingertips.Description: The recall involves Craftsman 16-gallon and RIDGID 12- and 16-gallon wet/dry vacuums. The vacuums are used to pick up wet and dry debris. Another feature of the vacuum is the blower, which provides additional cleaning functions.Sold at: Home Depot stores and RIDGE Tool distributors nationwide from March 1999 through October 2002 and Sears Roebuck &. Co. stores nationwide from September 1998 through October 2002 for between $70 and $300.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should contact Emerson toll-free number to request a free insert. The insert is installed inside the blower port to eliminate the hazard.Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should call Emerson Tool Company toll-free at (866) 288-8143 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.wetdryvacrecall.com.Product DescriptionRetail Price*Model NumberSerial Number**RIDGID 12 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac$74.00WD1245001310-02193RIDGID 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac$94.00$119.00$119.00$139.00$139.00WD16350WD16600WD16650WD17350WD1735101309-0216899168-0215501311-0216201313-0204502043-02178Craftsman 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac$139.00$139.00$119.00$293.00$293.00113.170250113.170260113.17033113.292670C113.295670C02049-0221098240-0023602156-0221999281C-00319C00227C-02122C*Retail price listed in U.S. Dollars.**Serial Number Range provides the first five characters of the serial number/date code listed on the product's data plate.

Hazard Description:

The exhaust blower ports on the wet/dry vacuums are large enough for a small child to reach inside and touch the spinning blower wheel. This poses a laceration hazard to small children.

Consumer Action:

Remedy Type:

Repair

Units:

Incidents:

Emerson Tool Company has received 10 reports of children inserting their arms into the ports and receiving minor cuts and abrasions to their fingertips.

Sold At:

Home Depot stores and RIDGE Tool distributors nationwide from March 1999 through October 2002 and Sears Roebuck &. Co. stores nationwide from September 1998 through October 2002 for between $70 and $300.

Manufactured In:

United States