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Envirotech Electric oscillating electric fans

CPSC Recall #98-003 - October 6, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-003
Recall DateOctober 6, 1997
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 780,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

The fans have been sold nationwide from January 1997 through June 1997 for between $15 and $35
depending on the model
through the following retail stores: Hechinger's
All American Home Centers
Home Base
BJ's Wholesale Club
Ace Hardware
Marc's
Menard's
Rose's Stores and Supply One.

Product

Envirotech Electric oscillating electric fans

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and 10 retailers are recalling about 780,000 plastic oscillating electric fans imported by Envirotech Electric Inc. of Cerritos, Calif. The fans' plastic enclosures are extremely flammable and the power cords can come apart and expose live electrical parts, presenting fire and shock hazards to consumers. In addition, these fans carry counterfeit Underwriters Laboratories (UL) marks and do not comply with UL's safety requirements.CPSC is not aware of any injuries involving these fans. This recall is being issued to prevent the possibility of injury.The 3-speed oscillating fans subject to this recall come in either the floor stand or desk top models, which are 8, 9, 12, 16 or 18 inches high. The word "Envirotech" is printed on the fan along with one of the following model numbers: FB-102H, FBD-208, FBD-612, FC-071A, FC-0171A, FC-1071A, FCP-167J, FD-125J, FD-12SD, FD-164J, FD-122L, FS- 124J, FS-161J, FS-164J or FS-181J. The model number is on a silver label on the bottom of the fan's base.The fans are packaged in multi-colored cardboard boxes that read in part, "Envirotech...Made in China."The fans have been sold nationwide from January 1997 through June 1997 for between $15 and $35, depending on the model, through the following retail stores: Hechinger's, All American Home Centers, Home Base, BJ's Wholesale Club, Ace Hardware, Marc's, Menard's, Rose's Stores and Supply One.Consumers should stop using these fans immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers should call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 if they have questions about this recall.U.S. Customs alerted CPSC to this hazard.

Hazard

The fans' plastic enclosures are extremely flammable and the power cords can come apart and expose live electrical parts, presenting fire and shock hazards to consumers. In addition, these fans carry counterfeit Underwriters Laboratories (UL) marks and do not comply with UL's safety requirements.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is not aware of any injuries involving these fans.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these fans immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a 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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