Sweep+Vac Vacuum Cleaner
CPSC Recall #05-057 - November 25, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-057 |
| Recall Date | November 25, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 175,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Retail and grocery stores nationwide from September 2004 through November 2004 for about $30. |
Product
Sweep+Vac Vacuum Cleaner
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), of Cincinnati, Ohio is voluntarily recalling about 175,000 Sweep+Vacs by Swiffer Vacuum Cleaner. In some cases, when the vacuum cleaner is left in the "on" position, the rotor can lock up and cause the unit to overheat. This poses a smoke and fire hazard.Name of product: Sweep+Vac by Swiffer Vacuum CleanerUnits: About 175,000Distributor: Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), of Cincinnati, OhioHazard: In some cases, when the vacuum cleaner is left in the "on" position, the rotor can lock up and cause the unit to overheat. This poses a smoke and fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Procter & Gamble has received 14 complaints of the Sweep+Vac overheating, including one report of a fire with minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled Sweep+Vac by Swiffer is a battery-operated, upright vacuum cleaner used to vacuum floors. The vacuum cleaner stands about 4-feet-tall and has a green base and silver pole. The name "Swiffer" is printed across the front of the base in white letters. UPC numbers included in this recall are 37000-46522 and 37000-02553. The UPC numbers are printed on the product's packaging.No other Swiffer products are involved.Sold at: Retail and grocery stores nationwide from September 2004 through November 2004 for about $30.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the product immediately and disconnect the Sweep+Vac by removing the top section of the pole. To disconnect the vacuum cleaner, press the small green button on the pole, about 12 inches below the handle, then pull the handle straight out. This eliminates any possibility of the unit overheating. Consumers should contact Procter & Gamble for more information on returning the product to receive a free replacement coupon. Disassembly Instructions.Consumer Contact: Consumers should contact (800) 395-5594 daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET or visit www.swiffer.com to receive shipping materials to return the Sweep+Vac unit to Procter & Gamble and receive a free replacement coupon.
Hazard
In some cases, when the vacuum cleaner is left in the "on" position, the rotor can lock up and cause the unit to overheat. This poses a smoke and fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Procter & Gamble has received 14 complaints of the Sweep+Vac overheating, including one report of a fire with minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the product immediately and disconnect the Sweep+Vac by removing the top section of the pole. To disconnect the vacuum cleaner, press the small green button on the pole, about 12 inches below the handle, then pull the handle straight out. This eliminates any possibility of the unit overheating. Consumers should contact Procter & Gamble for more information on returning the product to receive a free replacement coupon. Disassembly Instructions.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.