Outdoor Lighting Timers
CPSC Recall #02-066 - December 12, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-066 |
| Recall Date | December 12, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 50,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Menards stores nationwide sold the timers from October 2000 through October 2001 for about $10. |
Product
Outdoor Lighting Timers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Homemaster Inc., of Eatontown, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 50,000 Outdoor Lighting Timers. The timers have reversed polarity in the wiring, potentially allowing a current to flow through a consumer's body, posing a shock hazard to consumers. Homemaster has not received any reports of injuries or incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries. The recalled timers have the model number "HOT100" printed on the back. The plastic timers are about 5 inches long, dark green, and have a timing switch on the front that ranges from 1 to 8 hours or from dusk to dawn. A three-prong plug at the end of a 6.5-inch green cord extends from the top of the timer. Menards stores nationwide sold the timers from October 2000 through October 2001 for about $10. Consumers should stop using the Outdoor Lighting Timers immediately and contact Homemaster for a free replacement. For more information, consumers can contact Homemaster at (800) 443-0224 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or go to the firm's web site at www.home-master.net.
Hazard
The timers have reversed polarity in the wiring, potentially allowing a current to flow through a consumer's body, posing a shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Homemaster has not received any reports of injuries or incidents.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the Outdoor Lighting Timers immediately and contact Homemaster for a free replacement.
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.
No, you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.
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.