Fan firm fined $500,000 for failing to report defect

Lasko, a company that makes portable fans and heaters, has been fined $500,000 for failing to report to the government that some of its fans could overheat, smoke, or catch fire posing fire and burn hazards. Nine people were injured and Lasko received 42 reports of fans overheating, smoking, melting, or catching fire between November 2002 and September 2005. The defect resulted in the recall of 5.6 million fans in 2006.

The 2006 recall involved various models of Lasko, Galaxy, Air King and General Electric fans manufactured between January 1999 and July 2001, and sold through February 2004 at discount department stores nationwide for between $10 and $25. An electrical failure in the motor caused the fans to malfunction. Check the original recall notice for model numbers and photos.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the penalty, says that federal law requires firms to report to the agency immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect that could create a substantial product hazard, an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violate any consumer product safety rule, regulation, standard or ban enforced by the CPSC. In agreeing to settle the matter, Lasko denies that it knowingly violated the law.

Consumers who may still have the recalled fans should stop using them and contact Lasko to get a free fan cord adaptor, designed to shut off the fan motor if overheating occurs. Call Lasko at (800) 984-3311 or visit the firm’s Web site.