3-way compact fluorescent light bulbs

CPSC Recall #05-064 - December 7, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number05-064
Recall DateDecember 7, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 158,000
ManufacturerTechnical Consumer Products Inc., of Aurora, Ohio
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Home Depot and Orchard Supply Hardware nationwide from April 2004 through November 2004 for about $10 (single pack) or $19 (double pack).

Product

3-way compact fluorescent light bulbs

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Technical Consumer Products Inc., of Aurora, Ohio is voluntarily recalling about 158,000 3-way compact fluorescent light bulbs. The bulbs can overheat and spark, posing a burn hazard to consumers.Name of product: 3-way compact fluorescent light bulbsUnits: About 158,000Manufacturer/Distributor: Technical Consumer Products Inc., of Aurora, OhioHazard: The bulbs can overheat and spark, posing a burn hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Technical Consumer Products has received 16 reports of overheating bulbs. No injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled 32-watt, 3-way (40-75-150 watt output) compact fluorescent bulbs were sold under the brand names Commercial Electric (Home Depot) and DuraBright (Orchard Supply Hardware). The bulbs are about seven inches high and have a white, spiral fluorescent tube attached to a white plastic base. The following item numbers, which can be found on the back of the packaging and the base of the bulb, are included in the recall: 283-924, 575-717, and 69032.Sold at: Home Depot and Orchard Supply Hardware nationwide from April 2004 through November 2004 for about $10 (single pack) or $19 (double pack).Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the bulbs immediately and contact Technical Consumer Products for a free replacement or gift card.Consumer Contact: Call Technical Consumer Products at (800) 397-2647 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The bulbs can overheat and spark, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Technical Consumer Products has received 16 reports of overheating bulbs. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the bulbs immediately and contact Technical Consumer Products for a free replacement or gift card.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.