HDC Extension Cords, Portable Lights, and Fluorescent Work Lights
CPSC Recall #03-145 — June 18, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-145 |
| Recall Date | June 18, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 150,000 Extension Cords, 180,000 Portable Lights, and 54,000 Fluorescent Work Lights |
| Manufacturer | Homier Distributing Co. Inc., of Huntington, Ind. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Traveling sales shows nationwide |
| the company’s two retail stores (in Huntington and Lafayette |
| Ind.) and online at www.homier.com from January 2000 through May 2003 for between $3 and $7. |
Product
HDC Extension Cords, Portable Lights, and Fluorescent Work Lights
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Homier Distributing Co. Inc., of Huntington, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 150,000 Extension Cords, 180,000 Portable Lights, and 54,000 Fluorescent Work Lights. The extension cords and lights have undersized wiring, are not properly polarized, have inadequate grounding, faulty electrical connections, and plastic handles that once ignited continue to burn and spread flames, posing a shock, electrocution, and fire hazard to consumers.Name of product: HDC Extension Cords, Portable Lights, and Fluorescent Work LightsUnits: 150,000, 180,000, and 54,000 respectivelyManufacturer: Homier Distributing Co. Inc., of Huntington, Ind.ProductsHazardDescriptionHDC Brand 50-ft. Outdoor Extension Cord (Catalog #04247)HDC Brand 100-ft. Outdoor Extension Cord (Catalog #04521),Undersized wiring, are not properly polarized, and do not have overcurrent protection, which causes overheating, posing a shock and fire hazard to consumers.The cords are orange and have a three-prong plug. There is no labeling on the cord but the packaging reads, "HDC HOMIER DISTRIBUTING . 04247 50 FT. HEAVY DUTY EXTENSION CORD WITH 3-WIRE GROUNDED.MANUFACTURED IN CHINA."The cords also are orange and have a three-prong plug. The characters "65 C 16AWGX3C" are printed on the cord. The packaging reads, "HDC HOMIER DISTRIBUTING.04521 100 FT. OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD.MANUFACTURED IN CHINA"HDC Brand Handyman's Trouble Lights (Catalog #04299)HDC Brand Trouble Light with 25' Cord (Catalog #04109)Undersized wiring, are not properly polarized, have inadequate grounding, faulty electrical conections, and plastic handles that once ignited continue to burn and spread flames, posing a shock, electrocution and fire hazard to consumers.The lights have a silver metal shroud, an orange plastic handle with a three-prong receptacle for an extension cord, and a 12-ft. orange cord. The metal shroud has the following labeling stamped into it, "CAUTION AVOID HAZARD - PULL PLUG WHEN RELAMPING - USE ONLY 75 WATT OR SMALLER BULB."The lights have a silver metal shroud, an orange plastic handle with a three-prong receptacle for an extension cord, and a 25-ft. orange cord with a three-prong plug. The metal shroud has the same words stamped into it as the 12-ft. model. The cords were manufactured in China.HDC Brand 16-inch AC/DC Fluorescent Work Light (Catalog #04070)Lack proper grounding, have exposed live wires, faulty electrical connections, and have sharp metal edges that can damage the insulation of electrical wires, posing a shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.The work lights have a 16-inch fluorescent light bulb with a silver metal shield on one side and can be plugged into a household outlet or the cigarette lighter in a car. The metal shield is labeled in part, "3 PINS PLUG TO AC, 110V-120V CIGARETTE PLUG TO DC, 12V. MADE IN CHINA.WARNING: To Prevent Fire or Shock Do Not Expose This Appliance to Rain or Moisture. The entire light is about 20 inches long and the bulb and shield are encased in a plastic tube with yellow end caps.Incidents/Injuries: Company has received one report of an individual who sustained an electric shock and burn injury using the fluorescent work light near his car.Sold at: Traveling sales shows nationwide, the company’s two retail stores (in Huntington and Lafayette, Ind.) and online at www.homier.com from January 2000 through May 2003 for between $3 and $7.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumer should stop using the product immediately and mail the cord to Homier Distributing Co., Customer Service Center, 100 Commerce Drive, Huntington, IN 46750 for a full refund, including the cost of shipping.Consumer Contact: (800) 348-5004 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or email Homier at [email protected].
Hazard
The extension cords and lights have undersized wiring, are not properly polarized, have inadequate grounding, faulty electrical connections, and plastic handles that once ignited continue to burn and spread flames, posing a shock, electrocution, and fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Company has received one report of an individual who sustained an electric shock and burn injury using the fluorescent work light near his car.
Remedy Instructions
Consumer should stop using the product immediately and mail the cord to Homier Distributing Co., Customer Service Center, 100 Commerce Drive, Huntington, IN 46750 for a full refund, including the cost of shipping.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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 (Refund) 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.