FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2004
Release # 04-157 |
Home Depot Hotline: (800) 553-3199
SMC Hotline: (800) 527-3675
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Eric Criss, (301) 504-7908
Home Depot Media Contact: David Sandor (770) 433-8211
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CPSC, SMC and Home Depot Announce Recall of Oscillating Fans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), SMC Marketing Corp., of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., are voluntarily recalling about 2.2 million "SMC" brand oscillating floor fans. The electric power cord can be damaged by the oscillation motion of the fan. The damage to the cord can result in a short circuit and possible ignition of the plastic case, posing a fire hazard.
CPSC is aware of 31 incidents in which the cord on these fans was damaged, which resulted in smoke and fires. At least nine of these incidents resulted in substantial property damage.
The recall includes 18-inch, pedestal floor fans with model number SR-18 or SP-18. The model number is on the back of the fan beside the on/off button. All of the recalled fans are white with the brand name, "SMC," written on the face plate of the front grill. The Home Depot sold these fans from January 1997 through October 2001 for about $20. The recalled fans also were sold at other retailers, some of which have gone out of business.
Consumers should stop using the recalled fans immediately and either return them to the Home Depot for a store credit, or contact SMC Marketing Corp. for instructions on receiving a refund. The Home Depot will accept all recalled fans.
For information on receiving a refund, consumers should contact SMC Marketing Corp. toll-free at (800) 527-3675 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. For more information about store returns, consumers can call Home Depot toll-free at (800) 553-3199 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recall information also is available at the Home Depot's Web site: www.homedepot.com
The Home Depot is a major retailer and importer of these fans. These fans were supplied by Shell Electric Manufacturing (China) Co. Ltd. SMC Marketing Corp. represents Shell Electric Manufacturing (China) Co. Ltd. in the United States.
Spanish Version
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.