TWI LITE Illuminated Switches
CPSC Recall #96-108 — April 23, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-108 |
| Recall Date | April 23, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions, Repair |
| Units Affected | 12,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Orchard Supply Hardware stores in California sold the switches from March 1995 through March 1996. Price/Costco stores in California |
| Oregon |
| Washington |
| Alaska and Hawaii sold the switches from July 1995 through March 1996 |
| and Builders Square stores in Colorado |
| Ohio |
| Texas |
| Florida |
| and Puerto Rico sold the switches from September 1995 through March 1996. The switches sold for approximately $6.00 to $20.00 each. |
Product
TWI LITE Illuminated Switches
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Anam Industrial Company, Wiring Device Division, of Seoul, Korea, is recalling about 12,000 Wall Mount Flush switches distributed under the name "TWI LITE Illuminated Switches." The wiring diagram on the package is incorrect. If the switch is wired according to the diagram printed on the package, there is a direct short in the circuit when the switch is turned on. Improper installation of the switch could result in a fire hazard. Anam Industrial has not received any reports of short circuits or incidents involving personal injury or property damage. The switch itself is not defective, only the wiring diagram on the package is incorrect. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The white or ivory switchplates, measuring 2.75 inches wide by 4.5 inches long, have gold trim and either one, two or three light switches with green or red pilot LED lamps. Item numbers on the packaging for the switches start with ALW. The switches are packaged on yellow, white, and blue cards labeled in part, "TWI LITE Illuminated switches for your home ... Side-to-Side operation ... Snap-On Screwless Faceplate ... Removable Touch-Pad for easy Cleaning ... Bright LED Illumination ..." Orchard Supply Hardware stores in California sold the switches from March 1995 through March 1996. Price/Costco stores in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii sold the switches from July 1995 through March 1996, and Builders Square stores in Colorado, Ohio, Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico sold the switches from September 1995 through March 1996. The switches sold for approximately $6.00 to $20.00 each. Consumers who purchased TWI LITE switches should destroy the wiring diagram on the packaging and call Kenny Kim at (800) 220-9294. Adaptech will send consumers a correct wiring diagram within a few days. Consumers can also write to Kenny Kim at Adaptech, Inc., 3158 River Road, Des Plaines, Ill. 60018.
Hazard
The wiring diagram on the package is incorrect. If the switch is wired according to the diagram printed on the package, there is a direct short in the circuit when the switch is turned on. Improper installation of the switch could result in a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who purchased TWI LITE switches should destroy the wiring diagram on the packaging and call Kenny Kim at (800) 220-9294. Adaptech will send consumers a correct wiring diagram within a few days.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, Repair 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 (New Instructions, Repair) 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.