Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported December 16, 2003
CPSC, Emerson Tool Company Announce Recall of 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 chi…
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. recalled The recall involves Craftsman 16-gallon and RIDGID 12- and 16-gallon wet/dry vacuums. The… - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, Emerson Tool Company Announce Recall of Wet/Dry Vacuums was recalled by Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. in December 16, 2003. Reason: The exhaust blower ports on the wet/dry vacuums are large enough for a small child to reach inside and touch …. Remedy: Consumers should contact Emerson toll-free number to request a free insert. The insert is…. Verify recall #04053 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The exhaust blower ports on the wet/dry vacuums are large enough for a small child to reach inside and touch ….
- Moderate
- severity level
- December 16, 2003
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04053 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #04053) was formally reported on December 16, 2003. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. is listed as the recalling firm. The number of affected units is not disclosed in the agency filing, which is common for drug and food recalls where lot-level tracking supersedes unit counts.
The documented reason for this recall is: 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. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should contact Emerson toll-free number to request a free insert. The insert is installed inside the blower port, to eliminate the hazard. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Children & Baby Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 3,731 children & baby products recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
Unknown
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product 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. Product Description Retail Price* Model Number Serial Number** RIDGID 12 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac $74.00 WD12450 01310-02193 RIDGID 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac $94.00$119.00$119.00$139.00$139.00 WD16350 WD16600 WD16650 WD17350 WD17351 01309-02168 99168-02155 01311-02162 01313-0204 502043-02178 Craftsman 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac $139.00 $139.00 $119.00 $293.00 $293.00 113.170250 113.170260 113.17033 113.292670C 113.295670C 02049-02210 98240-00236 02156-02219 99281C-00319C 00227C-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
Reason for recall
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.
Remedy, what to do
Consumers should contact Emerson toll-free number to request a free insert. The insert is installed inside the blower port, to eliminate the hazard.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 04053 |
| Date reported | December 16, 2003 |
| Date initiated | December 16, 2003 |
| Recalling firm | Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo. |
| Affected scope | Not disclosed |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Consumers should contact Emerson toll-free number to request a free insert. The insert is installed inside the blower port, to el…
- Check the recall number (04053) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
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. Product Description Retail Price* Model Number Serial Number** RIDGID 12 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac $74.00 WD12450 01310-02193 RIDGID 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac $94.00$119.00$119.00$139.00$139.00 WD16350 WD16600 WD16650 WD17350 WD17351 01309-02168 99168-02155 01311-02162 01313-0204 502043-02178 Craftsman 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac $139.00 $139.00 $119.00 $293.00 $293.00 113.170250 113.170260 113.17033 113.292670C 113.295670C 02049-02210 98240-00236 02156-02219 99281C-00319C 00227C-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. Recalled by Emerson Tool Company, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo..
Why was this product recalled? ▼
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.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should contact Emerson toll-free number to request a free insert. The insert is installed inside the blower port, to eliminate the hazard.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on December 16, 2003. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04053.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (04053) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported December 16, 2003. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.