Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, CPSC NEWS—HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS—Southern Motion recalls ‘Wireless Power’ reclining furniture for fire hazard, (Apr 2, 2020)
Organizations Mentioned:Nebraksa Furniture Mart | Rooms To Go | Southern Motion
By Susan Engstrom
The firm has received six reports of batteries overheating and causing fires.
Southern Motion, of Pontotoc, Mississippi, is recalling approximately 2,300 units of "Wireless Power" reclining furniture because the lithium-ion batteries used to power the furniture can overheat, posing a fire hazard (CPSC Recall Notice, No. 20-103, April 2, 2020).
Incidents and injuries. The firm is aware of six incidents of batteries overheating and causing fires to the chairs and floor coverings. No injuries have been reported.
Product description. This recall involves "Wireless Power" reclining furniture powered by lithium-ion batteries. The batteries are installed internally as an optional equipment upgrade in custom configurable reclining furniture and are visible when looking under the upholstery in the rear of the furniture in a black mounting bracket. The batteries are black and rectangular. The tops of the batteries are marked with the word ENouvation. ENouvation is printed on a white label on the reverse side. The sides of the batteries have blinking lights indicating the charge level of the battery. The recalled furniture has a white label on the back underside of the footrest ottoman that states "Options: WP," indicating "Wireless Power," along with the product’s unique serial, style, and cover fabric numbers and the custom production date.
This furniture was manufactured in the United States and was sold at Rooms To Go, Art Van, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and other furniture stores nationwide from January 2019 through September 2019 for between approximately $1,000 and $2,500.
Remedy. Consumers should immediately stop using the "Wireless Power" reclining furniture and contact Southern Motion for a free in-home repair, including a credit for the cost of the "Wireless Power" lithium-ion battery option.
Important CPSC Recall Remedy Notice Due to COVID-19. CPSC is advising consumers that because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19, some of the remedies identified in recall notices may not be currently available. Consumers should check with the recalling companies for further details. Moreover, the agency notice reminds consumers that CPSC and the recalling firms urge consumers not to use recalled products.
Customer contact. For more information, customers may contact Southern Motion toll-free at 800-368-8865 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET from Monday through Friday; email at wprecall@southermotion.com; or online at www.SouthernMotion.com and click on "Product Safety."
Companies: Southern Motion
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