Buffalo Fluorescent Work Lights
CPSC Recall #99-172b - September 21, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-172b |
| Recall Date | September 21, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 2,800 |
| Manufacturer | New Buffalo Corp., of Chesterfield Mo. |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| Hardware and auto supply stores sold the lights nationwide between March 1996 and December 1998 for about $13. |
Product
Buffalo Fluorescent Work Lights
Description
PRODUCT: Work Lights - New Buffalo Corp., of Chesterfield Mo., is recalling about 2,800 Buffalo Fluorescent Work Lights. They are a 16-inch fluorescent tube light with wire hanger for use in awkward locations. These Buffalo Fluorescent Work Lights have model number PL-16 written on the packaging. The light fixture is about 19.5 inches long, and has yellow plastic caps on each end. It has a yellow cord and two "S" hook hangers. A red insert sold in the plastic tube of the light reads, "INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF MODEL 15D" and "Featuring new push- button starter." In addition, the light's packaging reads, "BUFFALO," "Stays Cool," "Glare Free," "New Buffalo Corporation" and "MADE IN TAIWAN." Hardware and auto supply stores sold the lights nationwide between March 1996 and December 1998 for about $13. PROBLEM: These lights can have undersized wiring and exposed electrical parts on the plug, posing a shock and fire hazard. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should immediately stop using these Buffalo work lights, and return them to the firm for a full refund plus postage. For more information, consumers should call New Buffalo Corp. at (800) 568-6657 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday.
Hazard
These lights can have undersized wiring and exposed electrical parts on the plug, posing a shock and fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using these Buffalo work lights, and return them to the firm for a full refund plus 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.
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.