Casablanca brand ceiling fans
CPSC Recall #94-022 - December 12, 1993
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 94-022 |
| Recall Date | December 12, 1993 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 3,264,000 |
Product
Casablanca brand ceiling fans
Description
PRODUCT: Approximately 3,264,000 Casablanca brand ceiling fans manufactured from 1981 through 1993. PROBLEM: The fan may fall from its ceiling mounting. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using the fan and not allow anyone underneath the fan. Call (888) 227-2178 to receive a retrofit part to be installed by the consumer to prevent the fan from falling. In the event that a fan falls, consumers should immediately turn off the circuit breaker due to the possibility of exposed wires. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC and Casablanca Fan Company, City of Industry, CA are jointly announcing the voluntary recall of 3,264,000 Casablanca brand ceiling fans manufactured from 1981 through 1993. The fans can separate from the canopy on which they are mounted to the ceiling. If a fan separates from its canopy, it will fall and possibly injure a bystander. In addition, a fallen fan may leave exposed wires in the ceiling possibly posing an electric shock hazard. Casablanca Fan Company has received approximately 50 reports of fans falling from ceiling mountings. One incident has been reported in which a consumer received an injury. CPSC learned of this problem when Casablanca notified the Commission of its intention to initiate a recall. The affected fans have a ball and canopy mounting system and were manufactured and sold nationwide from January 1981 through September 1993. The retail prices for the fans vary by model and time period sold. The prices generally range from $200 to $2,500. A ceiling fan owner can identify the recalled fan by looking at the metal nameplate located on the exterior of every Casablanca fan. A fan subject to the recall will say "Casablanca" on the nameplate. In addition, the ball and canopy mount is visible from the bottom of the fan. Also, the second letter of the serial number on the nameplate will be A, B, C, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, or Y. This recall does not cover Pasadena brand fans. Casablanca has designed a retrofit part to be installed by the consumer to prevent the fan from falling from its mounting. Step by step instructions will be provided with the part. In addition, the consumer may contact Casablanca's 24-hour hotline to obtain a retrofit kit free of charge and for assistance related to installation at (888) 227-2178. Consumers who are unable to install the part may contact Casablanca to request assistance in arranging for free installation of the retrofit part on fans manufactured during or after March 1991. Casablanca fans manufactured before March 1991 were sold by another company. Owners of these fans who require installation assistance should contact Casablanca's toll free hotline to discuss whether free installation is available. Casablanca will decide on a case by case basis. However, the retrofit part and easy to follow step by step instructions will be provided free of charge to all Casablanca fan owners. A consumer who owns an affected fan should not use it until the retrofit part is installed. In the meantime, consumers should not allow anyone underneath the fan. In the event that fan falls, consumers should immediately turn off the fan's circuit in the circuit box due to the likely possibility of exposed wires. CPSC is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction. EDITOR'S NOTE: Media inquires should be made to Casablanca at (818) 855-7571.
Hazard
The fans can separate from the canopy on which they are mounted to the ceiling. If a fan separates from its canopy, it will fall and possibly injure a bystander. In addition, a fallen fan may leave exposed wires in the ceiling possibly posing an electric shock hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Casablanca Fan Company has received approximately 50 reports of fans falling from ceiling mountings. One incident has been reported in which a consumer received an injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the fan and not allow anyone underneath the fan. Call (888) 227-2178 to receive a retrofit part to be installed by the consumer to prevent the fan from falling. In the event that a fan falls, consumers should immediately turn off the circuit breaker due to the possibility of exposed wires.
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.
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.