"10,000 Lux Light Box"
CPSC Recall #04-572 — August 10, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-572 |
| Recall Date | August 10, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 226 |
| Manufacturer | OTT-LITE Technology, of Tampa, Florida |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Natural Options' website and mail order catalog sold the light boxes from November 2002 through June 2004 for about $400. |
Product
"10,000 Lux Light Box"
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), OTT-LITE Technology of Tampa, Florida is voluntarily recalling 226 "10,000 Lux Light Box" units. Overheating around the socket (where the bulb fits into the light box) can result in melted plastic and smoke, posing a possible fire and burn hazard.Name of Product: "10,000 Lux Light Box"Units: 226Manufacturer: OTT-LITE Technology, of Tampa, FloridaRetailer: Natural Options Inc., of Nashotah, Wis.Hazard: Overheating around the socket (where the bulb fits into the light box) can result in melted plastic and smoke, posing a possible fire and burn hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Five customers reported light boxes producing smoke and returned their light boxes with burn marks and melted plastic in the socket area. No injuries or property damage have been reported.Description: The recalled "10,000 Lux Light Box" produces light to simulate natural sunlight. The units, which are white with a translucent, hinged door, measure 24 inches high, 12 ? inches wide, and 3 ? inches deep. Some of the recalled light boxes may have a small label on the top of the unit with the name "Nu-Yu Light." Only the "10,000 Lux Light Box" sold by Natural Options is recalled.Sold at: Natural Options' website and mail order catalog sold the light boxes from November 2002 through June 2004 for about $400.Manufactured In: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled "10,000 Lux Light Box" immediately, unplug it, and return the product to OTT-LITE Technology for a full refund.Consumer Contact: Call OTT-LITE Technology toll-free at (866) 421-5181 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday or visit the OTT-LITE website at www.ott-lite.com to arrange for return of the product and a full refund.
Hazard
Overheating around the socket (where the bulb fits into the light box) can result in melted plastic and smoke, posing a possible fire and burn hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Five customers reported light boxes producing smoke and returned their light boxes with burn marks and melted plastic in the socket area. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled "10,000 Lux Light Box" immediately, unplug it, and return the product to OTT-LITE Technology for a full refund.
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.