Columbia Sportswear Recalls Batteries Sold With Jackets Due To Fire Hazard

Omni-Heat™ Lithium-Polymer Rechargeable Batteries

Recall Date: November 16th, 2011
Type: Batteries (Other than Button Batteries)
Units: About 220 (two battery packs sold with each jacket totaling 440 batteries)
Hazards: The batteries have a cell defect which can cause overheating, posing a fire hazard.
Remedies: Replace
Consumers should immediately remove the battery pack from the jacket and contact the firm for instructions to return both battery packs to Columbia for free replacements.

Description

This recall involves battery packs that power heating systems in jackets. Two battery packs were included with the following Omni-Heat™ Electric jacket styles: Omni-Heat™ Electric Wader Widgeon, Omni-Heat™ Electric Big Game and Omni-Heat™ Gale Warning Interchange. The black battery packs are 3.25 inches long by 2.3 inches wide by 0.7 inches deep and marked with "Columbia" on the top and "OMNI-HEAT™" on the bottom of the pack. "Part: 054978-001" is printed on the side label.

Images:

Consumer Contact:

For additional information, contact Columbia Sportswear Company between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT at (800) 622-6953, email [email protected], or visit the firm's website at www.Columbia.com/Recall Firm Media Contact: (503) 985-4584

Injuries:

The firm has received one report of a battery overheating that was discovered at its distribution facility in France. No incidents or injuries have been reported in the United States.

Retailers:

Columbia online retail for $79. The recalled battery packs were included with the jackets sold by Columbia online retail and outdoor and sporting goods dealers nationwide from July 2011 to September 2011 from $900 to $1200.