FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2004
Release # 04-157
Home Depot Hotline: (800) 553-3199
SMC Hotline: (800) 527-3675
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Eric Criss, (301) 504-7908
Home Depot Media Contact: David Sandor (770) 433-8211
CPSC, SMC and Home Depot Announce Recall of Oscillating Fans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), SMC Marketing Corp., of Grand Prairie, Texas, and
Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., are voluntarily recalling
about 2.2 million "SMC" brand oscillating floor fans. The electric power
cord can be damaged by the oscillation motion of the fan. The damage to
the cord can result in a short circuit and possible ignition of the
plastic case, posing a fire hazard.
CPSC is aware of 31 incidents in which the cord on these fans was
damaged, which resulted in smoke and fires. At least nine of these
incidents resulted in substantial property damage.
The recall includes 18-inch, pedestal floor fans with model number SR-18
or SP-18. The model number is on the back of the fan beside the on/off
button. All of the recalled fans are white with the brand name, "SMC,"
written on the face plate of the front grill. The Home Depot sold these
fans from January 1997 through October 2001 for about $20. The recalled
fans also were sold at other retailers, some of which have gone out of
business.
Consumers should stop using the recalled fans immediately and either
return them to the Home Depot for a store credit, or contact SMC
Marketing Corp. for instructions on receiving a refund. The Home Depot
will accept all recalled fans.
For information on receiving a refund, consumers should contact SMC
Marketing Corp. toll-free at (800) 527-3675 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT
Monday through Friday. For more information about store returns,
consumers can call Home Depot toll-free at (800) 553-3199 between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recall information also is
available at the Home Depot's Web site: www.homedepot.com
The Home Depot is a major retailer and importer of these fans. These
fans were supplied by Shell Electric Manufacturing (China) Co. Ltd. SMC
Marketing Corp. represents Shell Electric Manufacturing (China) Co. Ltd.
in the United States.