Aqua Hex Aquarium

CPSC Recall #89-064 - July 10, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-064
Recall DateJuly 10, 1989
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 39,000
Manufactured InTaiwan

Where It Was Sold

The one-gallon "Aqua Hex Aquarium" carried a suggested retail price of $15. It was sold nationwide between July
1988 and February
1989 by Britts
Elmore
McCrory
H.L. Green
Kress
McClellan
TG & Y
Silver
Kittinger
Newberry stores and some independent variety stores.

Product

Aqua Hex Aquarium

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The McCrory Corp. of York, PA is voluntarily recalling the electric light cord assembly of some 39,000 Aqua Hex Aquariums because the cord could catch fire. This applies only to aquariums purchased prior to March 1, 1989. According to the company, the light cord assembly of each aquarium is believed to be defective. When the consumer tightens a light bulb in the socket to illuminate the aquarium, the wires may short circuit and ignite the cord. McCrory said that it is aware of three incidents where the cord short circuited or caught fire. No injuries have been reported. Identified as item number 951418 on the carton, the one-gallon "Aqua Hex Aquarium" carried a suggested retail price of $15. It was sold nationwide between July, 1988 and February, 1989 by Britts, Elmore, McCrory, H.L. Green, Kress, McClellan, TG & Y, Silver, Kittinger, Newberry stores and some independent variety stores. The Aqua Hex Aquarium has six clear plastic sides and a clear plastic top and bottom. The bottom is labeled "Made in Taiwan". The aquarium stands eight and one-half inches tall and six and one-half inches wide. It has a light cord and bulb, a black plastic light hood, and a beige electric air pump. The air pump bottom has a silver circular label which states: 11110 - 120V 3W Made in Taiwan". Having identified the recalled product, consumers should unplug and detach the defective light cord from the light hood and return it, minus the light bulb, to the store where purchased for a free replacement. Consumers may also mail the detached light cord to Communications Department, McCrory Stores, 2955 East Market Street, York PA 17402, for a free replacement. Consumers having additional questions about the recall may contact McCrory toll-free at 1-800-284-3704, Ext. 7514.

Hazard

According to the company, the light cord assembly of each aquarium is believed to be defective. When the consumer tightens a light bulb in the socket to illuminate the aquarium, the wires may short circuit and ignite the cord.

Incidents & Injuries

McCrory said that it is aware of three incidents where the cord short circuited or caught fire. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Having identified the recalled product, consumers should unplug and detach the defective light cord from the light hood and return it, minus the light bulb, to the store where purchased for a free replacement. Consumers may also mail the detached light cord to Communications Department, McCrory Stores, 2955 East Market Street, York PA 17402, for a free replacement.

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.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.