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Casablanca Fan Company Recalls Ceiling Fan

PRODUCT: Approximately 3,264,000 Casablanca brand ceiling fans manufactured from 1981 through 1993.

PROBLEM: The fan may fall from its ceiling mounting.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using the fan and not allow anyone underneath the fan. Call (888) 227-2178 to receive a retrofit part to be installed by the consumer to prevent the fan from falling. In the event that a fan falls, consumers should immediately turn off the circuit breaker due to the possibility of exposed wires.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Casablanca Fan Company, City of Industry, CA are jointly announcing the voluntary recall of 3,264,000 Casablanca brand ceiling fans manufactured from 1981 through 1993. The fans can separate from the canopy on which they are mounted to the ceiling. If a fan separates from its canopy, it will fall and possibly injure a bystander. In addition, a fallen fan may leave exposed wires in the ceiling possibly posing an electric shock hazard.

Casablanca Fan Company has received approximately 50 reports of fans falling from ceiling mountings. One incident has been reported in which a consumer received an injury. CPSC learned of this problem when Casablanca notified the Commission of its intention to initiate a recall.

The affected fans have a ball and canopy mounting system and were manufactured and sold nationwide from January 1981 through September 1993. The retail prices for the fans vary by model and time period sold. The prices generally range from $200 to $2,500. A ceiling fan owner can identify the recalled fan by looking at the metal nameplate located on the exterior of every Casablanca fan. A fan subject to the recall will say "Casablanca" on the nameplate. In addition, the ball and canopy mount is visible from the bottom of the fan. Also, the second letter of the serial number on the nameplate will be A, B, C, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, or Y.

This recall does not cover Pasadena brand fans.

Casablanca has designed a retrofit part to be installed by the consumer to prevent the fan from falling from its mounting. Step by step instructions will be provided with the part. In addition, the consumer may contact Casablanca's 24 hotline to obtain a retrofit kit free of charge and for assistance related to installation at (888) 227-2178.

Consumers who are unable to install the part may contact Casablanca to request assistance in arranging for free installation of the retrofit part on fans manufactured during or after March 1991. Casablanca fans manufactured before March 1991 were sold by another company. Owners of these fans who require installation assistance should contact Casablanca's toll free hotline to discuss whether free installation is available. Casablanca will decide on a case by case basis. However, the retrofit part and easy to follow step by step instructions will be provided free of charge to all Casablanca fan owners.

A consumer who owns an affected fan should not use it until the retrofit part is installed. In the meantime, consumers should not allow anyone underneath the fan. In the event that fan falls, consumers should immediately turn off the fan's circuit in the circuit box due to the likely possibility of exposed wires.

CPSC is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Media inquires should be made to Casablanca at (818) 855-7571.