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Sears Health Essentials Back Massaging System with Heat, Model SR4503

CPSC Recall #98-103 — May 3, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-103
Recall DateMay 3, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 183,000
ManufacturerConair Corp., of Stamford, Conn.

Where It Was Sold

The back massage cushion
manufactured by Conair
was sold in Sears stores and catalogs from February 1997 through March 1998 for about $30.

Product

Sears Health Essentials Back Massaging System with Heat, Model SR4503

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Conair Corp., of Stamford, Conn., and Sears Roebuck and Co., of Hoffman Estates, Ill., are recalling about 183,000 back massage cushions. The motors used in these back massage cushions can stall, overheat and possibly burn through the massage cushion. While there have been no reports of fires or serious injury, CPSC, Conair and Sears have received 13 reports of damage to upholstered furniture and bedding, and two reports of minor burns to consumers. The massage cushion, identified as the Sears Health Essentials Back Massaging System with Heat, Model SR4503, is a black, padded cushion approximately 21 inches long and 17 inches wide, and comes with a handheld controller. The handheld controller displays the words, "Health Essentials" on the front panel and the words "Sears SR4503" on the back panel. The back massage cushion, manufactured by Conair, was sold in Sears stores and catalogs from February 1997 through March 1998 for about $30. Consumers should stop using the back massage cushions immediately and return them to any Sears department store for a full refund. For more information, consumers can call (800) 456-5010 anytime.

Hazard

The motors used in these back massage cushions can stall, overheat and possibly burn through the massage cushion.

Incidents & Injuries

While there have been no reports of fires or serious injury, CPSC, Conair and Sears have received 13 reports of damage to upholstered furniture and bedding, and two reports of minor burns to consumers.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the back massage cushions immediately and return them to any Sears department store 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.

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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.

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