Product Recall Issued on Ray-O-Vac Flashlights

Online, January 26, 2014 (Newswire.com) - A recall has been issued on three models of Ray-O-Vac flashlights due to an internal malfunction that can cause the batteries to overheat, creating a subsequent burn hazard.

The affected models include:
Ray-O-Vac LED Industrial flashlights (model ILED2AA) - 25 or 50-hour
Ray-O-Vac Value Bright LED plastic flashlights (model BRSELED2AA-BA)
Ray-O-Vac Value Bright flashlights (model BRSELED2AA-BDGDI)

Each model measures approximately 6.5 inches and has a 1.33 inch diameter. They were available in solid colors - solid red, black, green or blue. Some models were bi-colored: black with yellow. The Ray-O-Vac logo is visible on the flashlight's head. The following date codes, listed on a white sticker inside the tube, are included in the recall: E/J-C, H/F-C, I/F-C, L/F-C, M/W-C, O/F-C, R/F-C, R/J-C, S/J-C, T/F-C, U/F-C and Y/J-C.

There have been at least 12 reports of the flashlights melting due to overheating while in use. As of now, no injuries have been reported.

Consumers are advised to cease using the affected products, remove the batteries and contact Spectrum Brands, Inc. of Middleton, WI (the manufacturer of the defective products) to receive a full refund. They may also register to receive their refunds at www.rovrecall.com.

The flashlights were sold in a wide variety of retail outlets including hardware, drug, auto parts, home improvement and military surplus stores nationwide. Nearly 225,000 units are affected. They were sold between February 2012 and December 2013 at an average retail price of $2.30.

"These are what most retailers call 'impulse items.' They are generally placed near a cash register or other Point of Sale terminal," said Drazen Alcocer, founder and CEO of iFederated, parent company of iRecalls.com.

"If anyone has purchased ANY flashlight in the last year that matches this description, especially as an 'impulse buy' at a grocery or retail store, they should check the brand and see if it is affected," added Artin Afsharjavan, Chairman of iFederated. "While it may not be a life-threatening issue, the possibility of injury does exist."

Alcocer went on to comment that this is why he believes iRecalls to be a valuable resource to the general public. "Someone reads about this recall and it jogs their memory. They think, 'You know, I think I might have bought one of those flashlights,' and a crisis is averted. Such is the power of social media and the impact of a site like iRecalls.com.

Consumers interested in keeping current on major product recalls from cars to toys to food products are urged to become part of the growing iRecalls.com community. Concerned citizens who are committed to public safety and the spread of accurate and timely information regarding product recalls may register free at http://www.irecalls.com.