Delonghi America Announces Voluntary Modification Program For Certain 16-Inch Fans

PRODUCT: DeLonghi 16-inch oscillating fans, models BR-16 and BPED-16 manufactured before February 1991.

PROBLEM: Some of the fans have blades that may fracture while in use, possibly striking someone nearby.

WHAT TO DO: Owners of affected fans will receive free modification kits with replacement fan clips and blades. To receive these kits or for more information, call 1-800-552-4240. Discontinue use until modifications have been made.

WASHINGTON, DC -- DeLonghi America, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced the voluntary modification of its 16-inch oscillating fans, models BR-16 and BPED-16, distributed by DeLonghi America before February 1991.

The 16-inch fans have blades that may fracture while in use, possibly striking someone nearby. In addition, the grill- retaining clips sold with the fans may not hold the fan grills together. While DeLonghi has not received any reports of fractured blades, there have been 47 instances involving fan blade parts escaping from the grills of these fans sold by another distributor.

The suggested retail prices of these fans were $40.00 and $60.00. Only brass and platinum-plated 16-inch fans, model numbers BR-16 and BPED-16, are involved in this product modification. No fans made after January 1991 are involved. DeLonghi distributed 3,360 fans nationwide from 1990 to 1991.

To determine the model number and the date of manufacture, check the stamped date-of-manufacture code on the product label on the bottom of the fan base. The first two digits of the code represent the month. The next two digits represent the year.

Owners of affected fans should call DeLonghi toll-free on 1-800-552-4240 to receive free modification kits. The kits consist of replacement fan clips and blades with installation instructions.

Owners should not use the fans until the fans have been modified.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this modification program as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.