Safety regulator, Luxo Corp. Announce Recall of Portable Fluorescent Lamps
Recall 02172 · Jun 4, 2002 · Luxo Corp.
18,300
units affected
18,300
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 02172
- Date
- Jun 4, 2002
- Company
- Luxo Corp.
- Units affected
- 18,300
- Product
- Portable fluorescent lamps
- Product type
- Lamps
- Hazard
- Fire
The product
The lamps are 18-watt portable fluorescent lamps that have a black plastic housing and mount to a desk or sit on a base. Model PS355 and PS360 with serial numbers between 198076 and 244871 and between 35500001 and 36003256 are included in the recall. The PS355 model has a 34-inch swing arm and the PS360 has a 19-inch swing arm. The serial number and "MADE IN TAIWAN" can be found on a silver label located on the back of the light bulb cover. The lamps have also been sold under the names "Big Dipper" and "Little Dipper."
What can happen
The ballast (the electrical part located in the arm of the lamp) in these lamps can overheat, short-circuit, and melt the insulating cover of the ballast, causing the lamp to fail and posing a skin burn hazard to consumers.
The fix
Consumers with the recalled units should unplug the lamps and stop using them immediately. Contact Luxo to return the lamp and receive a replacement lamp. Luxo will extend the warranty on the replacement lamps for 3 years from the date of replacement.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- Luxo has received 10 reports of these lamps overheating and shorting out the fixture. No injuries have been reported.
- Sold at
- Office furniture distributors and dealers nationwide sold these lamps, from January 2000 through February 2002, for between $155 and $170.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled portable fluorescent lamps?
Consumers with the recalled units should unplug the lamps and stop using them immediately. Contact Luxo to return the lamp and receive a replacement lamp. Luxo will extend the warranty on the replacement lamps for 3 years from the date of replacement.
What is the hazard?
The ballast (the electrical part located in the arm of the lamp) in these lamps can overheat, short-circuit, and melt the insulating cover of the ballast, causing the lamp to fail and posing a skin burn hazard to consumers.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.