The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·00020·Announced 1999-11-17

Sunbeam, Hankscraft, and SunMark Glow-in-the-Dark Humidifiers Recalled for Fire Hazard

CPSC and Sunbeam recall about 560,000 glow-in-the-dark humidifiers due to electrical short risks. The defect caused 42 fire reports and minor injuries.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural electrical defect causing fire hazards, with 42 reported fires and injuries including smoke inhalation and burns, meeting the criteria for 'Severe' (significant injury/property-damage reports).

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Sunbeam Corp. are recalling approximately 560,000 Sunbeam, Hankscraft, and SunMark humidifiers with water tanks that glow in the dark. These units were sold nationwide in discount department and drug stores from March 1995 through December 1997 for $8 to $15.

The recalled humidifiers can develop an electrical short, presenting a fire hazard. Sunbeam has received 87 complaints from consumers using these products, including 42 reports of fire. Three consumers suffered smoke inhalation, and another suffered minor burns to her hands.

Consumers should immediately stop using these humidifiers and call Sunbeam for instructions on returning the products for a free replacement. The recalled units are white with green, blue, or rust-colored covers and have specific service numbers and date codes stamped on the plugs or motor housing.

The recalled product

Product
Sunbeam®, Hankscraft® and SunMark® humidifiers with water tanks that glow in the dark
Manufacturer
Sunbeam Corp., of Boca Raton, Fla.
Category
Consumer Product — Home Appliances
Hazard
Affected units
560,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

See all →

Similar recalls