Ceiling fan installation kits
CPSC Recall #99-145b — July 19, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-145b |
| Recall Date | July 19, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 20,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Lighting showrooms |
| electrical distributors and hardware stores nationwide sold these kits from December 1984 through December 1989 for about $20. |
Product
Ceiling fan installation kits
Description
PRODUCT: Ceiling Fans - As summer continues to swelter across much of the U.S., CPSC and Air Comfort Products Division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo., are reminding consumers of the recall of about 20,000 ceiling fan installation kits, originally announced on January 12, 1999 (Release #99-047). These ceiling fan kits are model number CF10N1 made to be used with Emerson fans. The kit is used when a fan is installed on a sloped ceiling or in a "close to the ceiling" mode. The kit only poses a hazard when installed in the "close to the ceiling" mode - which allows the fan to be mounted higher on low ceilings. The outside housing or canopy of the kit comes in two pieces, and was sold in five colors - brown, polished brass, antique brass, white and antique white. Lighting showrooms, electrical distributors and hardware stores nationwide sold these kits from December 1984 through December 1989 for about $20.PROBLEM: Over time, the bracket holding the fan can fail, causing the fan to fall or hang by its electric wires. The fans can fall at any time, possibly causing injuries to bystanders. In addition, exposed wires could pose an electric shock hazard.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Emerson Electric is aware of 15 reports of the brackets failing, causing the fans to fall. A 13-year-old boy suffered a laceration on the nose from a falling ceiling fan.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately stop using the ceiling fans installed with these kits and have them repaired. To verify a fan is part of this recall, to receive a repair kit or for more information, consumers should call Air Comfort at (877) FAN KITS between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, or go to their website at www.emerson.com.
Hazard
Over time, the bracket holding the fan can fail, causing the fan to fall or hang by its electric wires. The fans can fall at any time, possibly causing injuries to bystanders. In addition, exposed wires could pose an electric shock hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Emerson Electric is aware of 15 reports of the brackets failing, causing the fans to fall. A 13-year-old boy suffered a laceration on the nose from a falling ceiling fan.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the ceiling fans installed with these kits and have them repaired. To verify a fan is part of this recall, to receive a repair kit or for more information, consumers should call Air Comfort at (877) FAN KITS between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, or go to their website at www.emerson.com.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) at no cost to you.
No — you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.
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.