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Miniature Christmas lights

CPSC Recall #02-065 - December 12, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-065
Recall DateDecember 12, 2001
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 9,000

Where It Was Sold

Discount and dollar stores in New York and New Jersey sold these Christmas lights from October 2000 through November 2001 for about $1.

Product

Miniature Christmas lights

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Winstar International Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 9,000 strings of Christmas lights. These lights have undersized wiring and lack over-current protection. They pose electrocution and electric shock hazards to consumers and also are fire hazards. CPSC and Winstar are not aware of any injuries or incidents associated with these Christmas lights. This recall is being conducted to prevent injuries. These are miniature Christmas lights with 100 lights on each string of various colors, including green, blue, red, yellow, purple and clear. The plug has "125V-3A" imprinted on it. There is no other labeling on the string of lights, and no mark of an independent testing laboratory. The packaging is a red box with a photo of a Christmas tree on the right side and a window showing the lights inside. Writing on the box includes, "JUEGO DE LUCES DE NAVIDAD," "100 MINIATURE LIGHTS," "FIVE-WAY FLASHER," "PRE-TESTED," and "ENERGY SAVER." Discount and dollar stores in New York and New Jersey sold these Christmas lights from October 2000 through November 2001 for about $1. Consumers should stop using the Christmas lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should contact Winstar International Inc. collect at (718) 768-5172 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

These lights have undersized wiring and lack over-current protection. They pose electrocution and electric shock hazards to consumers and also are fire hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Winstar are not aware of any injuries or incidents associated with these Christmas lights.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the Christmas lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.

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.

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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.

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