Christmas Lights
CPSC Recall #98-041 - December 9, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 98-041 |
| Recall Date | December 9, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Over 332,700 |
Where It Was Sold
| Discount and dollar-type stores sold the light sets for about $1 to $8. |
Product
Christmas Lights
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), four importers and two retailers are recalling over 332,700 Christmas light sets. The light sets have flammable plastic parts, bulb sockets that can fall apart, no fuse protection, exposed bare wires and undersized wires, presenting a fire hazard.CPSC has received one report of a light set's bulb socket falling apart and exposing bare wires. No injuries have been reported.The following tables list the importers and the retailers participating in this recall. There are no identifying markings on the light sets and the lights could be multicolored or clear. Importer/RetailerDescription of PackagingDescription of LightsDates SoldWhere Sold Rona DistributorsPuerto Rico(787) 768-8020ImporterGreen, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sledsGreen, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sledsGreen, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sleds100 lights per string5 way flashing lights150 lights per string3 way flashing lights200 lights per string10 way flashing lights199619961996Puerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto Rico Star BrothersPuerto Rico(787) 781-3898ImporterGreen box with "Three Kings," ornaments and musical notesGreen box with "Three Kings," ornaments and musical notes150 lights per stringsteady burning lights200 lights per stringsteady burning lightsOctober 1997October 1997Puerto RicoPuerto Rico La ReinaPuerto Rico(787) 743-4445RetailerRed box with "Liberty" bells and ornaments or red box with Christmas treeRed box with "Liberty" bells100 lights per string5 way flashing lights140 lights per string8 function controller: "combination, in waves,sequential, slo-glo, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, steady on"1995 to 19971995 to 1997Puerto RicoPuerto Rico Island RecreationLong Island, NY(800) 773-6353(in NY only)RetailerWhite box with Christmas tree and elves100 lights per stringsteady burning or flashing1996 to 1997NY Advance International/Holiday IndustriesBronx, NY(718) 892-3460ImporterRed box with yellow bowRed box with yellow bowBlue box100 lights per string2 way flashing lights100 lights per string5 way flashing lights140 chasing lights19941995 to 19961996MA, NC, NY, TXMA, NC, NY, TXMA, NC, NY, TX STK InternationalVernon, CA(800) 536-7855ImporterRed box with Christmas tree100 miniature lights per stringsteady burning or flashing lightsJuly 1996 through April 1997CA, FL, NY, OH, PA, TX Discount and dollar-type stores sold the light sets for about $1 to $8.Consumers should stop using the recalled Christmas light sets immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For assistance in identifying these recalled light sets, consumers should call the companies listed in this release.
Hazard
The light sets have flammable plastic parts, bulb sockets that can fall apart, no fuse protection, exposed bare wires and undersized wires, presenting a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC has received one report of a light set's bulb socket falling apart and exposing bare wires. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled Christmas light sets 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.
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.