Model 200 Aqua Clear Power Head aquarium pump
CPSC Recall #89-078 - August 16, 1989
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 89-078 |
| Recall Date | August 16, 1989 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 42,000 |
Product
Model 200 Aqua Clear Power Head aquarium pump
Description
WASHINGTON, DC. -- Some 42,000 aquarium Power Heads (Model 200) are being voluntarily recalled by the Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corporation of Mansfield, Mass., because they may present a fatal shock hazard to consumers. Water may seep into the motor winding terminals, allowing water in the aquarium to become energized. The Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corporation, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said consumers should immediately unplug the electric power cord of its model 200 Aqua Clear Power Head aquarium pump. Other Aqua Clear power heads manufactured by the company are not affected and are not being recalled. Consumers can return the pump to the retail store of purchase and receive a new power head, model 201, at no charge. Consumers with questions about the recall may call the company's toll-free line at 1-800-225-2700, or write Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corporation, P.O. Box 634, Mansfield, Mass. 02048.
Hazard
Water may seep into the motor winding terminals, allowing water in the aquarium to become energized and presenting a fatal shock hazard to consumers.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers can return the pump to the retail store of purchase and receive a new power head, model 201, at no charge.
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.
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.