Polk Audio mounting brackets that came with Polk M1, M2, AW/M2 (outdoor), RM5300 and RM5400 speakers

CPSC Recall #99-117b — May 25, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-117b
Recall DateMay 25, 1999
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 97,000

Where It Was Sold

Various stereo specialty stores sold these speakers nationwide from May 1996 through April 1998 for between $150 to $200 a pair. The RM5300 and RM5400 were sold as part of a home theater system that sold for as much as $1
099.

Product

Polk Audio mounting brackets that came with Polk M1, M2, AW/M2 (outdoor), RM5300 and RM5400 speakers

Description

PRODUCT: Polk Audio Stereo Speakers - Polk Audio Inc., of Baltimore, Md., is recalling the mounting brackets that came with Polk M1, M2, AW/M2 (outdoor), RM5300 and RM5400 speakers. About 97,000 of these speakers were sold with this type of bracket. The model number and "polk audio" are written on the front of the speakers. They are about 10 inches high and either black or white. If there is a blue dot near the serial number on the back of the speaker, it is not included in this recall. Various stereo specialty stores sold these speakers nationwide from May 1996 through April 1998 for between $150 to $200 a pair. The RM5300 and RM5400 were sold as part of a home theater system that sold for as much as $1,099. PROBLEM: These wall-mounted speakers can have an insufficient amount of adhesive used in assembling the speaker's wall mounting bracket. They can fall off the wall, possibly hitting consumers. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Polk Audio has received 55 reports of bracket failures, resulting in 18 speakers falling. One consumer was hit on the arm by a falling speaker. There have been no serious injuries reported. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should call Polk Audio Customer Service at (800) 377-7655 from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday to see if their mounting brackets are included in this recall and to receive replacement brackets if necessary.

Hazard

These wall-mounted speakers can have an insufficient amount of adhesive used in assembling the speaker's wall mounting bracket. They can fall off the wall, possibly hitting consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Polk Audio has received 55 reports of bracket failures, resulting in 18 speakers falling. One consumer was hit on the arm by a falling speaker. There have been no serious injuries reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should call Polk Audio Customer Service at (800) 377-7655 from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday to see if their mounting brackets are included in this recall and to receive replacement brackets if necessary.

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.

Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.

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.