Drain Snakes

62YOM PRESENTS TO ED VIA EMS FOR COMPLETE AMPUTATION OF RIGHT THUMB AT FIRST KNUCKLE. REPORTS USING A DRAIN SNAKE WHEN THE AMPUTATION OCCURRED. DX: AMPUTATION OF RIGHT THUMB, RIGHT HAND PAIN.

19YOM PRESENTS FROM HOME WITH BILATERAL WRIST AND FOREARM PAIN AFTER HELPING A FAMILY MEMBER USE DRAIN SNAKE YESTERDAY WITH REPETITIVE FLEXION OF BOTH WRISTS. DX: BILATERAL WRIST PAIN, BILATERAL FOREARM PAIN

62YOF WAS USING AN ELECTRIC SNAKE FOR HER DRAIN AND IT CAUGHT HER HAND AND GLOVE DX; LT FINGER DISLOCATION

65YOM PRESENTS FROM HOME WITH INJURY TO HAND. PATIENT WAS USING A MACHINE DRAIN SNAKE WHEN IT KICKED BACK AND CAUGHT HIS FINGER. DX: PARTIAL AMPUTATION OF RING FINGER

46YOM, WAS USING DRAIN SNAKE AT HOME WHICH WHIPPED OUT FROM THE DRAIN INJURING RIGHT 5TH DIGIT DX: LACERATION OF LITTLE FINGER

44YOM, WAS USING A LARGE DRANK SNAKE TO CLEAN A CLOGGED SEPTIC DRAIN, THE SNAKE GOT STUCK AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE IT GOT A LARGE LACERATION OF THE TIP OF HIS FINGER FROM A PIECE OF METAL, DX: FINGERTIP AVULSION; OPEN FRACTURE OF TUFT OF DISTAL PHALANX OF FINGER

13YOM WAS IN BASEMENT AND HIT A METAL PLUMBING SNAKE ON LEG DX: LACERATION OF SHIN

55YOM WITH LAC TO FINGER S/P UNCLOGGING A DRAIN WITH AN ELECTRONIC DRAIN SNAKE AND WAS CUT AT HOME DX: LAC OF FINGER

70YOM SAYS SUSTAINED ACERATION TO RIGHT EYELID WHEN HE & FRIEND WERE USING A PLUMBING WIRE & IT STRUCK HIM IN THE EYELID DX RIGHT EYELID LACERATION

34 YOM C/O THORACIC SPINE PAIN S/P LIFTING A HEAVY DRAIN SNAKE AND PUTTING IT INTO THE EXTERIOR BED OF HIS TRUCK. DX: THORACIC SPINE PAIN

52YOM PRESENTS WITH FINGER LACERATION AFTER USING AN ELECTRIC SNAKE TO CLEAR A DRAIN PIPE AT HOME. DX: LACERATION OF FINGER

60YOM PRESENTED TO ED C/O HAND PAIN, PT STATED HE WAS SNAKING A DRAIN (PLUMBING) WHEN GLOVES GOT STUCK AND TWISTED HIS HANDS. DX; HAND SPRAIN

The electric drain cleaner machine, model#46769, that I purchased from Harbor Freight on 9/13/2008, has an electric floor pedal on-switch enclosed in a rubber boot, which presents an electrocution hazard because under working conditions the pedal sets in an area that is usually very wet. Harbor Freight apparently is aware of this since the current model has replaced the electric switch with an air-bladder pedal that pneumatically pushes air though a tube to the on- switch mounted up on the machine away from any wetness. I phoned Harbor Freight 3 times last week: 9/17, 9/19, and 9/21/2013 requesting either a refund or replacement with the current improved model. All three times, I was told by the customer service reps that a supervisor would contact me within 24 to 48 hours. On the second and third calls, I told the reps that I had been contacted by no one! They assured me that they would prioritize the case for immediate attention. I believe they are willfully avoiding me because they already know the danger of this product and also know they are protected because I cannot reach them through their customer service. This item is dangerous and should be recalled. (I have since found out that someone else has contacted the CPSC for the same reason. Refer to report # [REDACTED])

The incident occurred when minor victim was submerged under the water of the spa and victim's hair became entrapped in the drain cover, keeping victim submerged under the water for an extended period of time. The drain cover was eventually detached from the wall and the victim was taken out of the water. Victim required CPR resuscitation and hospitalization. The drain cover referred to was a SDX model drain cover manufactured by Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.

Using product to clear drain. Cutter cable kept twisting and tangling into tight twists. Did with two people attempting to control cable. Finally got twists on twists. Caught pants, gloves, electrical cords, and control line in twists. Once a glove was pulled off hand. A clear danger for finger hand injury.