Oscillating Electric Tower Fan

CPSC Recall #06-037 - November 21, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-037
Recall DateNovember 21, 2005
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 150,000
ManufacturerMetropolitan Electrical Appliance Co. Ltd., of Hong Kong
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Discount department stores nationwide from February 2004 through November 2005 for between $20 and $30.

Product

Oscillating Electric Tower Fan

Description

This recall involves a Haier oscillating electric tower fan, model FTM140GG. The gray tower fan has three speed settings and a 120-minute shut-off timer. "Haier" is printed on a silver label near the top of the front of the tower. The model number is printed on the lower back of the fan. No other Haier fans are included in this recall.

Hazard

Internal electrical arcing in the fan can cause a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Haier has received eight reports of fires or flames associated with this electric fan, including minor property damage and one report of minor burns.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the tower fan and call Haier for instructions on how to obtain a $30 coupon redeemable for the purchase from Haier of any available product. Consumers who previously received a $10 mail-in rebate will get a $20 coupon.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.