Portable generators
CPSC Recall #00-047 - December 29, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 00-047 |
| Recall Date | December 29, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, Replace |
| Units Affected | About 295,000 |
| Manufacturer | DeVilbiss Air Power Company (DAPC) of Jackson, Tenn. |
Product
Portable generators
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC joins DeVilbiss Air Power Company (DAPC) of Jackson, Tenn., in alerting consumers about gasoline tanks used on certain models of portable generators. About 295,000 of these generators were sold nationwide from February 1996 until June 1999. CPSC and DAPC are investigating whether the fuel tanks on the generators can crack where the tanks mount on the frame, posing a fire hazard. As a precaution until that evaluation is complete, consumers should not put more than three gallons of gasoline in the fuel tanks at any time. The only generators affected by this notice have the following brand names: DeVilbiss Air Power Company, EX-CELL, PowerBack, Companion Model 919-32721, and Craftsman Model No. 919-32651. The seven gallon tanks that are affected include only those tanks that bear dates prior to June 1, 1999. The date is on the serial barcode label found on one of the gasoline tank support rails and on the shipping carton label. Any consumer who has seen leakage from the tank should not use the generator and should contact DAPC at (800) 544-6986, ext. 21 or at www.devap.com to obtain a free warranty replacement tank. Consumers with questions can contact DAPC directly rather than contacting retailers. Consumers also can contact CPSC at (800) 638-2772. Many people have been buying generators as a precaution in case there are power outages because of Y2K. CPSC believes that Y2K will not result in major power outages. However, if you use a generator, you need to take precautions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, gasoline ignition, and electrocution. - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Do not use gasoline generators indoors. Generators produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that can kill people. Each year, carbon monoxide from fuel-burning appliances kills approximately 200 people and sends 10,000 people to hospital emergency rooms. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu, including nausea, headache, dizziness, and irregular breathing. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can cause death. CPSC recommends that every home should have a carbon monoxide alarm that meets the requirements of the most recent UL 2034 standard or the International Approval Services 6-96 standard. Generators should be used only outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain and snow. - Gasoline Ignition: Do not store gasoline indoors. Gasoline fumes can travel across a room and be ignited by a water heater or some other ignition source. Gasoline and other flammable liquids should be stored outside the home in safety containers. - Electrocution: Portable generators can also present a risk of electrocution if they are not properly connected to the home electrical wiring system. Do not plug the generator power leads into a wall outlet. Have a qualified electrician hook up the standby electrical system, or have the local utility install a linking device if available. CPSC has posted Y2K generator safety tips (pdf) on this web site.
Hazard
CPSC and DAPC are investigating whether the fuel tanks on the generators can crack where the tanks mount on the frame, posing a fire hazard.
Remedy Instructions
Any consumer who has seen leakage from the tank should not use the generator and should contact DAPC at (800) 544-6986, ext. 21 or at www.devap.com to obtain a free warranty replacement tank.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, 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 (Inspect, Replace) 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.