Electronic devices have infiltrated the lives of most people living in Columbus, Ohio. Accordingly, so too have the electrical cords used to power and charge these devices. This leaves some households fighting over outlets. To combat this problem individuals throughout the nation purchase electrical power strips. In addition to providing additional outlets, many also provide protection from power surges.
Usually these devices work as intended. As is the case with all products however, sometimes they are defective. These defects can post a danger to the individuals utilizing the product. Recently surge protectors that were made over 10 years ago, before 2003, were recalled. The reason for the recall of the SurgeArrest surge protectors is the risk of fire. In total, 15 million units of the product were recalled.
The fire risk is due to the product overheating which in addition to creating smoke, could lead to a fire. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Schneider Electric, the company that makes the surge protectors received 700 reports of overheating occurring. In some of those cases that overheating led to property damage. On at least 13 occasions people were hurt as a result of the defective product. They received burns and suffered from smoke inhalation.
It is possible that the people who were hurt as a result of the overheating device could decide to file a civil lawsuit regarding their physical injuries. Because these products liability lawsuits are generally complicated most who decide to pursue this course of action work with a lawyer who has handled these types of cases in the past.
Source: CNBC, “Recall: Millions of surge protectors could cause fire,” Herb Weisbaum, Oct. 8, 2013