Miniature Christmas lights and icicle-style lights

CPSC Recall #01-060a - December 20, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-060a
Recall DateDecember 20, 2000
Remedy TypeRefund
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

The lights were sold in GEM stores throughout New York from November 2000 to December 2000. A "GEM STORES" orange price sticker is affixed to each box.

Product

Miniature Christmas lights and icicle-style lights

Description

PRODUCT: Christmas Lights - GEM Stores, of Jamaica, N.Y., is recalling 50,000 sets of miniature Christmas lights and icicle-style lights. The lights are flashing, steady burning or chasing light in various colors and they were made in China. The lights were sold in GEM stores throughout New York from November 2000 to December 2000. A "GEM STORES" orange price sticker is affixed to each box. Light Set-Writing on BoxDescription of packagingPrice50 window ice lightsBlue box with picture of a house.$2100 icicle lightsBrown striped box with picture of house. Santa's Christmas Magic brand.$4140 Action Light Set/ChaserlightsBlue box with snowflakes, stockings, trees, and holly.$8100 mini light setBlue box with snowflakes, stockings, trees, and holly.$450 miniature lightsRed and green box. Trim a Tree brand.$1100 miniature lightsRed and green box. Trim a Tree brand.$2100 miniature light setRed striped box with picture of tree branches. Santa's Christmas Magic brand.$4PROBLEM: The lights have undersized wires that can easily pull out of the plugs and light sockets, posing electric shock and fire hazards to consumers. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.WHAT TO DO: Stop using the lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. Call GEM Stores collect at (718) 217-5600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The lights have undersized wires that can easily pull out of the plugs and light sockets, posing electric shock and fire hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Stop using the lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full 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.

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.