For almost 7 years now, people around the country have been buying cool yellow halogen lights that could be recharged — great for camping, keeping in the back of your car with the emergency stuff, out in the garage, etc. Today, the government announced a recall of approximately 1.4 million of these FIX IT One Million Candlepower rechargeable spotlights.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, these spotlight halogen gizmos, made in China and imported into the United States by California company Innovage LLC, are dangerous. The lights have hurt people, and could hurt more.
These aren’t flashlights. The FIX IT spotlight has approximately 3,000,000 candle light power, and was promoted as a great thing to have on hand when you need light outside, at night — at the side of the road with a flat tire, in the woods on a family camping trip, you get the idea.
How are they dangerous? The FIX IT Candlepower spotlights leak acid. The acid leaks out because the recharging adapters overcharge the battery, and the battery acid oozes out. So far, it’s known that 13 people have reported acid burns to their skin, their clothing or their furnishings.
May not sound like a high number — but remember, these are just the reported cases. How many people are out there that have suffered damage or injury from these spotlights, and didn’t report it?
According to the recall, these halogen lights were sold from October 2003 to October 2009, in everyday stores like Ace Hardware, Bealls, Boscov’s, Rite Aid, Tuesday Morning, Walgreen’s and Winn-Dixie.
However, until today, you pick up a new or used one at Amazon.com. They’re probably still available for purchase around the country, on web sites, store shelves, or garage sale tables.
Be careful and be aware. Check your stuff and if you own one of these Fix It spotlights, get rid of it.
Questions? Feel free to call the CPSC toll-free at 888-408-1140.
