Three More Potentially Serious U.S. Recalls
December 20, 2007
We have details on 3 major recalls that could fire hazards and smoke damge. The items are listed in our usual format so they may be checked quickly and easily.
Name of Product: Remington and McQuay “ComfortPac” Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Units: About 8,800
Distributor: McQuay International, of Minneapolis, Minn.
Manufacturer: OYL Manufacturing Co., of Malaysia
Hazard: Wires in the heater element can overheat and spark, posing a smoke and fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: McQuay has received three reports of fires that caused property damage and four additional reports of smoke, smoldering, and/or charring. One incident led to two consumers being treated for smoke inhalation.
Description: The recall involves the Remington and McQuay “ComfortPac” Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP) commonly installed in hotels, nursing homes, and other commercial locations. These “B” and “B+” vintage electric heat units come in size 12 (12,000 BTU) and size 15 (15,000 BTU). The model numbers included in the recall are:
| PTAC12B208 KXBA and KXCA |
| PTAC12B265 MXBA and MXCA |
| PTHP12B208 KXBA and KXCA |
| PTHP12B265 MXBA and MXCA |
| PTAC15B208 KXBA and KXCA |
| PTAC15B265 MXBA and MXCA |
| PTHP15B208 KXBA and KXCA |
| PTHP15B265 MXBA and MXCA |
The model numbers are printed on the product identification plate, which is located underneath the front cover below the control box. The recalled units also have the following numbers on the power cord: 105575703 (208/230V) and 105575803 (265V).
Sold through: McQuay sales representatives and distributors nationwide from November 2001 through June 2006 for about $350.
Manufactured in: Malaysia
Remedy: McQuay has been directly notifying businesses. Building managers or owners who have not been contacted by McQuay should stop using the recalled units immediately and contact the firm for a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact McQuay at (800) 235-2152 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, send an e-mail to robert.welch@mcquay.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mcquay.com
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Name of Product: DEWALT Cordless Drills
Units: About 346,000
Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Company, of Towson, Md.
Hazard: The trigger switch of the cordless drill can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: DEWALT has received 11 reports of trigger switches overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Description: This recall involves DEWALT individual cordless drills listed below:
| Model Number | Description | Date Codes |
|---|---|---|
| DC920 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2” (13mm) 18 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver | 200723 through 200742 |
| DC930 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver | 200625 through 200746 |
| DC935 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver | 200627 through 200746 |
| DC936 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver | 200635 through 200746 |
| DC940 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 12 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver | 200635 through 200746 |
The model number is printed on a sticker on the side of the unit. The date code is embossed on the bottom of the unit. Units stamped with an “M” following the date code have been repaired and are not included in this recall. The packaging of repaired drills has a green dot sticker near the UPC label.
Sold at: Wholesale distributors and retailers from about June 2006 through December 2007 for between $180 and $280.
Manufactured in: Mexico
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the drills immediately and contact DEWALT for the location of the nearest service center to receive a free inspection and, if necessary, free repair.
Consumer Contact: Call DEWALT toll-free at (888) 742-9168 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit firm’s Web site at www.DEWALT.com
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Name of Product: Christmas Candle Sets
Units: About 13,000
Distributor: Specialty Merchandise Corporation (SMC), of Simi Valley, Calif.
Hazard: The snowman candle could tip over and the exterior coating on both candles can ignite, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves the 2-pieced Snowman and Christmas tree candle set. The snowman candle measures 6 and ¼ inches high and the Christmas tree candle measures 7 inches high.
Sold through: SMC’s catalog from October 2003 through September 2007 for between $4 and $13.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the candles immediately and contact SMC to return the candle for a refund of the original purchase price.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact SMC at (888) 839-8757 or visit the company’s Web site at www.smcorp.com/recall
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptHazard: The snowman candle could tip over and the exterior coating on both candles can ignite, posing a fire hazard. Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Description: This recall involves the 2-pieced Snowman and Christmas tree candle set … [...]