Fire Safety X-Box Game System
I want to take this oppourtunity to notify you of a potential fire safety issue related to the use of an X-box. Several persons have been injured by faulty electrical X-box components. Please read the information below if you own or use an X-box on campus. If your X-Box is affected by this recall, we hightly recommend that you take immediate steps to remedy the situation using the below information. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a healthy campus community, safe guarding your belongings and avoiding the fire potential associated with faulty cords.
Director Furgal
Wheaton Public Safety Department
Microsoft Announces Power Cord Replacement for Xbox
REDMOND, Wash. - Feb. 17, 2005 - As a precautionary measure and out of concern for consumer safety, Microsoft Corp. today announced that it will voluntarily replace the power cords on 14.1 million Xbox® consoles worldwide.
The replacement power cords are designed to protect consumers and their
Xbox consoles from rare electrical component failures that can pose a fire hazard. Fewer than one in 10,000 consoles have experienced these component failures, and, in almost all instances, any damage caused by these failures was contained within the console itself or limited to the tip of the power cord at the back of the console.
However, in 30 consoles worldwide, these failures are reported to have
caused minor injury or minor property damage. In seven instances, customers reported sustaining a minor burn to their hand. In 23 instances, customers reported smoke damage, or minor damage to a carpet or entertainment center.
In all regions except Continental Europe, Xbox consoles manufactured
before Oct. 23, 2003, require a replacement power cord. In Continental Europe, consoles manufactured before Jan. 13, 2004, require a replacement power
cord.
"This is a preventative step we≠re choosing to take despite the rarity of
these incidents," said Robbie Bach, senior vice president of the Home &
Entertainment Division at Microsoft. "We regret the inconvenience, but
believe offering consumers a free replacement is the responsible thing to
do."
To order a replacement cord, consumers should go to
Replacement for Xbox link. Replacement cords will arrive two to four weeks
after the order is placed. While waiting for the new cord to arrive,
consumers should turn off their Xbox consoles when not in use.