A recent report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has prompted the recall of more than 1.2 million rechargeable lights in the U.S. and Canada. The recall was initiated following a tragic incident where one consumer lost their life due to a fire caused by the overheating of Good Earth Lighting's integrated light bars.
The safety concern revolves around the batteries in these light bars, which have the potential to overheat and ignite, posing serious risks of burns and smoke inhalation. In addition to the reported fatality, there have been nine other incidents of these products overheating, with six resulting in fires and property damage.
Good Earth Lighting, the manufacturer of the recalled lights, made the decision to voluntarily recall the products after investigating the reported incidents. The affected lights were removed from sale to the public earlier this year as a precautionary measure.
The lithium-ion battery-powered lights were designed as alternatives to permanent fixtures in areas where wiring may be challenging, such as closets, staircases, and cupboards. Consumers can identify the impacted products by checking for the model numbers: RE1122, RE1145, RE1362, and RE1250.
These lights were sold at various hardware and home improvement stores, including Lowe's, Ace Hardware, and Meijer, as well as online retailers like Amazon and GoodEarthLighting.com, between October 2017 and January 2024 in the U.S. An additional 37,800 units were sold in Canada.
Both regulators and Good Earth Lighting are urging consumers who have these recalled products to stop using them immediately. The company is offering free replacement light bars to affected consumers and providing instructions on how to safely dispose of the recalled lights.
Good Earth Lighting emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest quality and safety standards for its products to ensure that consumers can trust in the safety and efficiency of their lighting solutions.
