The defective products are being recalled because they can overheat, smoke and melt, posing a fire hazard. The firm has received 700 reports of the surge protectors overheating and melting and 55 claims of property damage from smoke and fire, including $916,000 in fire damage to a home and $750,000 in fire damage to a medical facility. There are 13 reports of peronal injuries, including smoke inhalation and contact burns from touching the overheated surge protectors.
Products recalled are APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors manufactured by American Power Conversion (APC), now known as Schneider Electric IT Corp., of West Kingston, R.I. and sold at Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, and other stores nationwide from January 1993 through December 2002 for between $13 and $50.
Consumers who bought this product should stop to use it immediately and contact the manufacturer for a free replacement.
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