Desk Fans
CPSC Recall #86-023 - April 9, 1986
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 86-023 |
| Recall Date | April 9, 1986 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 80,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Tatung and Crosley brand fans were imported by Tatung in 1985 |
| and were sold nationwide by a variety of retail stores. Most fans sold for about twenty dollars. |
Product
Desk Fans
Description
In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Tatung Company of America, Inc., of Long Beach, California today announced the voluntary recall of 80,000 nine-inch 2-speed oscillating desk fans. The fans were sold in 1985 under the Tatung brand name and included models LF-9GKA, LF-9BKA, LF-9GKP, LF-9BKP, and under the Crosley brand name as model CF-9T. All of the fans are subject to flexural cord failure after an unknown period of use. Cord failure can result in fan failure or ignition of the plastic case. The Commission staff believes the fan presents a fire hazard. Numerous incidents of fan failure occurred in 1985, including seven reports that the fan caught fire. Although no injuries were reported, several, fires occurred while consumers were asleep. Consumers should check their nine-inch oscillating fans for the Tatung or Crosley brand names on the decorative base plate, and for one of the listed model numbers printed on the fan bottom. Owners of a recalled fan should stop using it. Owners can receive instructions for getting a new fan motor and base assembly free of charge by writing to the Fan Recall Program, Tatung Company of America, Inc., 2350 El Presidio Street, Long Beach, California 90810. The owner's letter should include the return name and address. Tatung and Crosley brand fans were imported by Tatung in 1985, and were sold nationwide by a variety of retail stores. Most fans sold for about twenty dollars. Consumers who have questions about this recall or who request additional information can call Tatung's toll free hot line at 800-828-8641, or write to The Fan Recall Program at the company's listed address.
Hazard
All of the fans are subject to flexural cord failure after an unknown period of use. Cord failure can result in fan failure or ignition of the plastic case. The Commission staff believes the fan presents a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Numerous incidents of fan failure occurred in 1985, including seven reports that the fan caught fire. Although no injuries were reported, several, fires occurred while consumers were asleep.
Remedy Instructions
Owners can receive instructions for getting a new fan motor and base assembly free of charge.
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.
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.