Gira recalls socket outlets with increased contact protection (“child protection”)
– Missing child protection may lead to life-threatening injuries with
improper use of socket outlets
– Free replacements for end customers
– Hotline established for those seeking advice
– Only a limited number of socket outlets with increased contact
protection (“child protection”) are affected
RADEVORMWALD, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In the interests of consumer protection, Gira Giersiepen GmbH & Co. KG
(Gira), one of the leading full-range suppliers of electrical
installation technology and building systems technology worldwide,
recalls a part of their socket outlets with increased contact protection
(“child protection”). Customer complaints, followed by an internal
investigation, showed that socket outlet covers with increased contact
protection distributed in the period between 01.01.2015 and 26.01.2016
may have a manufacturing defect. In some cases, the mechanical device in
the cover – the shutter – of the affected socket outlets may not
automatically close as intended. With improper use of the socket outlet
– e.g. when a child inserts conductive materials into the socket outlet
– this fault may lead to an electric shock which can potentially result
in serious or even life-threatening injuries. To reduce any potential
risk, parents and adults should ensure that children stay away from the
socket outlets and inform all persons in the household that the
increased contact protection of the covers may not function.
Safety is top priority
So far there has been no event of injury caused by socket outlet covers
with increased contact protection (“child protection”) which have been
sold by Gira without complaint in their millions in numerous countries.
As Gira places top priority in the safety of all products, the
long-established company, headquartered in Radevormwald, Germany, acted
immediately, and in close cooperation with the regulatory authorities
decided on a public recall of the affected socket outlet covers. In the
process of the product recall, all measures are implemented step by step
and the affected batches already distributed to electrical wholesalers,
electrical contractors and end customers are being collected to
eliminate any potential risk. For this purpose, Gira is reaching out to
the public in newspaper advertisements, posters at retailers as well as
providing information online and in social networks.
Free replacements by electrical contractors
End customers are to approach their electrician or electrical equipment
dealer if they have purchased affected products in the specified time
period and/or such products have been installed in their building.
Electrical equipment dealers and numerous electrical contractors can
inform end customers whether their covers are affected and need to be
replaced. In such cases, the electrician will replace the cover free of
charge with a new plastic cover offering fully functional increased
contact protection (“child protection”). As an alternative he can
install a socket outlet protector (“plugin”) to ensure increased contact
protection. Changing the socket outlet covers can be carried out quickly
and easily, but can only be done by a professional electrician. Gira
expressly advises that end customers should under no circumstances
attempt to change the socket covers themselves.
Free hotline
In order to quickly answer customer’s questions, Gira has established a
free hotline depending on the country. Further information can be found
on the Gira website.
Only a limited number of socket outlets with increased contact
protection (“child protection”) is affected
The company Gira stresses that by no means all Gira socket outlets with
increased contact protection (“child protection”) are affected. The
potential fault occurs only in batches manufactured during clearly
defined production periods, accounting for less than 4 percent of the
annual production of covers with increased contact protection.
Furthermore, the socket outlets themselves are not affected, but only
the “shutter” inside the covers. This means: The power supply from the
sockets is not affected. The socket outlets are fully functional and,
with correct use, offer the same standard contact protection as in any
other conventional socket outlet. They can therefore be used as before.
Merely the increased contact protection (“child protection”) is
potentially non-functional. In previous years, the socket outlets with
increased contact protection have repeatedly been tested and certified
by independent testing institutes as to their compliance with the
applicable standards and safety regulations.
***
About Gira
Gira Giersiepen GmbH & Co. KG (www.gira.de)
is one of the leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system
solutions for electronic and networked digital building management.
Founded in 1905, the family-run company, headquartered in Radevormwald,
Germany, has shaped and influenced the world of electrical installations
and intelligent building control with numerous inventions for 111 years.
Right from the start, Gira with its many innovations, such as the Gira
HomeServer, has been one of the most influential players in the
development of the networked “smart home” and in the digitalisation of
buildings. Gira products and solutions stand for German engineering
skills, for reliable “Made in Germany” quality, for sustainable
production and operation, for perfection of form and function – but
above all they stand for making people’s lives a little easier, more
comfortable and safer. It is no coincidence that Gira switches, control,
communication, multimedia and safety systems are now used in more than
40 countries, such as in Berlin’s central train station, in Kiev’s
Olympic Stadium and in the Banyan Tree Hotel in Shanghai. Thanks to its
extensive expertise in the field of plastics technology, Gira has also
become an internationally sought-after manufacturer of complex plastic
systems products in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. With more
than 1,200 employees, the technology company is one of the largest
employers in the German Bergische Land region.
More information about the company and intelligent building technology
by Gira can also be found at:
Contacts
Gira Corporate Communications
Jan Böttcher
Manager
Corporate Communications
Phone: +49-2195-602-588
Jan.Boettcher@gira.de
