The US home appliance manufacturer Lasko Products Inc has reportedly issued a recall for around 4.8 million box fans after a number of fire incidents were reported.
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the motors in the fans are prone to electrical failure. It is this fault that is believed to have played a part in causing at least two house fires and one barn fire. As a result of these fires, Lasko may need to rely on product liability insurance in the coming months in order to cover hefty compensation claims for extensive damage to property.
The affected fans retail for around $12- $25, and were sold nationwide from July 2002 to December 2005. Consumers who own these fans have been urged to contact Lasko to claim their free fused-plug safety adapter.
Unfortunately, this is not the first product liability incident Lasko Products have been caught up in. The company was forced to recall 5.6 million fans in 2006 after a total of 42 fires were reported, as well as 107,500 portable electric heaters just last month due to problems with overheating and melting.