The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·08374·Announced 2008-08-26

IMS Recalls Car Chargers for Halogen Spotlights Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

IMS is recalling car chargers used with halogen spotlights sold at Sears and K-Mart because they can overcharge batteries, posing fire and burn risks.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire and burn hazard with two reported overheating incidents, but no injuries have been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

International Merchandising Service Inc. (IMS) is recalling car chargers used with the Power System Plus 3 Million Candlepower Spotlights. The recalled 12V DC car charger was sold with the spotlight model HSLR30S, which is black and blue and features a sticker reading "3 Million Candle Power." The model number is also printed on the instruction manual and packaging.

The car charger is incompatible with the spotlight's battery, which can cause it to overcharge inside a vehicle. This poses a fire or burn hazard to consumers. IMS has received two reports of spotlights overheating while being charged with the car charger, but no injuries have been reported. About 210,000 units were sold at Sears and K-Mart retail stores nationwide from October 2007 to June 2008 for about $20.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled car charger and contact IMS for information on how to receive a free replacement car charger. Consumers can continue to use the spotlights without the car charger. For additional information, consumers can contact IMS toll-free at (866) 797-2738 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the company's website at http://usttools.com/recall, or write to IMS Inc. at 1927 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833 ATTN: RECALL PROGRAM.

The recalled product

Product
Car Chargers Used with Power System Plus 3 Million Candlepower Spotlights
Manufacturer
International Merchandising Service Inc. (IMS), of Fullerton, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Electronics Accessories
Hazard
Affected units
210,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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