EVAC-U8 emergency escape smoke hoods
CPSC Recall #02-178 — June 10, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-178 |
| Recall Date | June 10, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 27,400 |
Where It Was Sold
| Web-based distributors |
| catalogues |
| and travel stores sold these smoke hoods from May 1997 through April 2002 for about $70. |
Product
EVAC-U8 emergency escape smoke hoods
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Brookdale International Systems, Inc., of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is voluntarily recalling about 27,400 emergency escape smoke hoods that may have been purchased for use against tear gas or chemical warfare agents. The smoke hood is a one-time emergency use, personal safety device that provides quick, temporary protection from smoke in the event of a fire. In some instances, consumers purchased the smoke hoods for protection from tear gas or chemical warfare agents, but the smoke hoods should be used only to provide protection from smoke caused by fires.CPSC and Brookdale are not aware of any incidents involving these emergency escape smoke hoods. The recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.This recall involves the EVAC-U8 emergency escape smoke hoods. The smoke hood is a bright green plastic cylinder with a clear red top. The cylinder is about 5 inches tall. The words "EVAC-U8 Emergency Escape Smoke Hood" are printed on the cylinder along with the serial number and expiration date. Recalled smoke hoods have a serial number of A97,921 or higher, and an expiration date of May 1, 2002 or later.Web-based distributors, catalogues, and travel stores sold these smoke hoods from May 1997 through April 2002 for about $70.Consumers who purchased the EVAC-U8 emergency escape smoke hood for protection from tear gas and chemical warfare agents may return the product to Brookdale International Systems, Inc. 1-8755 Ash Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 6P3 for a refund, including the cost of postage. For more information consumers can contact Brookdale International Systems at (800) 459-3822 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
Hazard
In some instances, consumers purchased the smoke hoods for protection from tear gas or chemical warfare agents, but the smoke hoods should be used only to provide protection from smoke caused by fires.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Brookdale are not aware of any incidents involving these emergency escape smoke hoods.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who purchased the EVAC-U8 emergency escape smoke hood for protection from tear gas and chemical warfare agents may return the product to Brookdale International Systems, Inc. 1-8755 Ash Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 6P3 for a refund, including the cost of postage.
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.