Around 15 million APC SurgeArrest surge protectors have been recalled by Schneider Electric due to fire hazards, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Why the product is being recalled: The surge protectors can overheat, smoke and melt, posing a fire hazard. To date, the products have caused $916,000 in fire damage to a home and $750,000 in fire damage to a medical facility. The company has also received 13 reports of injuries, including smoke inhalation and contact burns from touching the overheated surge protectors.
Description: This recall involves APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors manufactured before 2003. The model and serial numbers are located on a label on the bottom of the surge protector. The two numbers that follow the first letter or letters in the serial number sequence indicate the year of manufacture. The unit is included in the recall if the numbers are 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01 or 02.
[View a complete list of recalled models numbers here]
Where it was sold: The surge protectors were sold at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, and other stores nationwide from January 1993 through December 2002 for between $13 and $50.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled surge protectors, unplug them and contact Schneider Electric for a free replacement surge protector.
For more information, contact Schneider Electric IT Corp., toll-free at (888) 437-4007 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at http://recall.apc.com, or www.apc.com and click on the Recall link to submit a claim.
View the full recall on the CPSC’s website here.
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