Flash Receivers

CPSC Recall #20-114 — April 30, 2020

Recall Summary

Recall Number20-114
Recall DateApril 30, 2020
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 450
ManufacturerBellman & Symfon AB, of Sweden
ImporterBellman & Symfon North America Inc., of Wilmington, N.C.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Online at HarrisComm.com from June 2016 through March 2020 for about $185.

Product

Flash Receivers

Description

This recall involves the Flash Receiver (BE1442 MHz), which is sold as a part of the Bellman & Symfon’s Visit smart home system. The flash receivers are intended to assist hearing-impaired consumers by alerting them with bright flashes of light when the doorbell or telephone rings or if a fire alarm sounds. The white devices measure about six inches tall and three inches wide and sits on a white cylinder base. The Bellman & Symfon logo is printed on the front of the unit. Only Bellman & Symfon flash receivers with following serial numbers are included in the recall:   Affected Serial Numbers BE1442141400001 ~ BE1442141402040 BE1442174430001 ~ BE1442174433060 BE1442186360001 ~ BE1442186362040 BE1442188570001 ~ BE1442188571020 BE1442180030001 ~ BE1442180032550 BE1442180840001 ~ BE1442180842550 The serial number is printed on the body of the unit under the battery cover. The bar code with the product’s serial number is located under the batteries.

Hazard

The back-up battery can fail to fully charge resulting in the receiver not working as intended and failing to flash to alert hearing-impaired persons to an emergency.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately contact Bellman & Symfon to receive a free repair. Consumers can continue to use their Flash Receivers until they receive the free repair, but the firm advises in the meantime to unplug and re-plug their units to keep them properly powered.

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.

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.