Vermont Horse Council

NEWS ITEMS

Box Fan Recall Could Affect Horse Owners

by: Erica Larson, News Editor
March 24 2011, Article # 17985

Lasko Products Inc., manufacturer of home appliances such as fans and heaters, is recalling approximately 4.8 million box fans (similar to those frequently used in barns by horse owners) after an electrical problem in the fan's motor has caused some of these fans to catch fire, reportedly causing several house fires and a barn fire.

According to a statement on the company's website, affected fans were manufactured between July 31, 2002, and July 31, 2004, and "sold at major retail stores, home improvement centers, hardware stores, and other retailers nationwide between late 2002 and as late as 2005."

The models affected by this recall are Lasko model numbers 3720, 3723, and 3733 and Galaxy box fans model number 4733. These fans will have "2002-03$B!m(J or "2003-04$B!m(J printed on the bottom of the frame.

Lasko requests that anyone currently using one of the recalled fans discontinue use immediately and register their recalled product online or call 800/233-0268. Those affected will be provided with a fan protection cord adapter, which is designed to "protect against a potential hazard resulting from an electrical failure in the fan motor."

It’s the Law

Many people are not familiar with the law when it comes to horses and motorized vehicles. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, please familiarize yourself with these important facts. And always think, “SAFETY FIRST”.

Title 23: Motor Vehicles

Chapter 13: Operation Of Vehicles

§ 1014. Persons riding animals

A person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a road is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle by this chapter except those provisions of this chapter which by their very nature can have no application. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973.)

§ 1127. Control in presence of horses and cattle

(a) Whenever upon a public highway and approaching a vehicle drawn by a horse or other draft animal, or approaching a horse or other animal upon which a person is riding, the operator of a motor vehicle shall operate the vehicle in such a manner as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of such horse or animal and to insure the safety and protection of the person riding or driving.

(b) The operator of a motor vehicle shall yield to any cattle, sheep, or goats which are being herded on or across a highway. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973; amended 1989, No. 55.)