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Household extension cords

CPSC Recall #00-193 - November 3, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-193
Recall DateNovember 3, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedMore than 149,600
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Wholesale and discount stores in the Chicago area
and a few stores in Indiana
Iowa
Michigan and Ohio
sold the cords from July 1997 through October 1999 for about $1 to $2.

Product

Household extension cords

Description

Fairlong International of Addison, Ill., is recalling more than 149,600 household extension cords. The recalled cords are made of white or brown plastic, measure 6 or 9 feet long and have 3 receptacles. A plastic safety cover is imprinted with caution statements, which include "Avoid Hazards, Keep Children Away, Unplug When Not In Use, Rated 125-Volts, For Indoor Use Only." The cords are marked with the following information, "SPT-2, 18AWGX2C, VW-1, 60 C." The cords were sold in blue and yellow cardboard wrappers. The cords are made in China. Wholesale and discount stores in the Chicago area, and a few stores in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, sold the cords from July 1997 through October 1999 for about $1 to $2. PROBLEM: The cords have undersized wires, incorrect ratings, lack overcurrent protection and allow polarize plugs to be incorrectly inserted into the receptacles. These cords present fire, shock and electrocution hazards to consumers. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using the recalled cords immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers also can return the cords directly to the company for a refund, plus the cost of postage. For instructions, consumers should call Fairlong at (800) 577-8197 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The cords have undersized wires, incorrect ratings, lack overcurrent protection and allow polarize plugs to be incorrectly inserted into the receptacles. These cords present fire, shock and electrocution hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled cords immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers also can return the cords directly to the company for a refund, plus the cost of postage.

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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