Designers Edge "Mighty Lite" halogen clamp light
CPSC Recall #94-048 — March 21, 1994
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 94-048 |
| Recall Date | March 21, 1994 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 1,500 |
Where It Was Sold
| About 1 |
| 500 clamp lights were sold at Northern California Yardbirds stores and 500 clamp lights were sold at 180 Sears stores nationally beginning in July 1993 through August 1993. The retail price was $19.99. The nine Northern California Yardbirds stores that sold the product are located in: Santa Rosa |
| Petaluma |
| San Rafael |
| Alamo |
| Vallejo |
| San Pablo |
| Rohnert Park |
| Vacaville |
| and Fairfield. |
Product
Designers Edge "Mighty Lite" halogen clamp light
Description
PRODUCT: "Mighty Lite" halogen clamp lights imported by Designers Edge, Inc. About 1,500 clamp lights sold at Northern California Yardbirds stores and 500 clamp lights sold at 182 Sears stores nationwide beginning in July 1993 through August 1993. The yellow clamp lights have a black hook and handle and spring loaded clamp base with yellow vinyl grips. The handle is labeled "the Designers EDGE." At the back of the lamphead molded into the metal is the phrase: "SUITABLE FOR WET LOCATION MISC. FIXTURE QH-250N 1G96." PROBLEM: A potential shock hazard is present on certain lamps. When used without the hook, the lamp rotates 180 degrees to a backward position causing tension on the wires inside the switch junction box. This can cause the wires to chafe and short circuit, posing a shock hazard. WHAT TO DO: If you purchased a Designers Edge clamp light from Sears, immediately stop using the lamp and return it to Sears for a full refund. If you purchased a clamp light from a Yardbirds store, check for a date code on the lamp cord. If a date code is not marked, immediately stop using the clamp light and return it to Yardbirds for a full refund or replacement lamp. Yardbirds lamps marked with a date code are not affected by this recall. For further information please call Designers Edge on 1-800-524-6808. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Designers Edge, Inc., Bellevue. WA, is voluntarily recalling the "Mighty Lite" halogen clamp light. When used without the hook, the lamp rotates 180 degrees to a backward position causing tension on the wires at the pivot point between the handle and lamphead. This can cause the wires in the junction box to chafe, energizing the metal components of the clamp light with 120 volts of electricity, posing a shock hazard. The yellow clamp lights have a black hook and handle and spring loaded clamp base with yellow vinyl grips. The handle is labeled "the Designers EDGE." At the back of the lamphead molded into the metal is the phrase: "SUITABLE FOR WET LOCATION MISC. FIXTURE QH-250N 1G96." About 1,500 clamp lights were sold at Northern California Yardbirds stores and 500 clamp lights were sold at 180 Sears stores nationally beginning in July 1993 through August 1993. The retail price was $19.99. The nine Northern California Yardbirds stores that sold the product are located in: Santa Rosa, Petaluma, San Rafael, Alamo, Vallejo, San Pablo, Rohnert Park, Vacaville, and Fairfield. Designers Edge learned of the problem when a Sears El Paso store reported electrical leakage from a clamp lamp on display. The lamp hook had been removed allowing the lamphead to pivot. It was determined that a small amount of wire was exposed from abrasion inside the junction portion of the lamp. Designers Edge subsequently reported the incident to the Commission. If you purchased a Designers Edge clamp light from Sears, immediately stop using the lamp and return it to Sears for a full refund. If you purchased a clamp light from a Yardbirds store, check for a July 1993 or later date code marked on the lamp cord. If a date code is not marked, immediately stop using the clamp light and return it to Yardbirds for a full refund or replacement lamp. Clamp lights marked with date codes are not affected by this recall. They contain insulated wiring in the junction box and do not present a shock hazard. For further information please call Designers Edge on 1-800-524-6808. Consumers should not attempt to repair the clamp lights themselves. CPSC is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
When used without the hook, the lamp rotates 180 degrees to a backward position causing tension on the wires at the pivot point between the handle and lamphead. This can cause the wires in the junction box to chafe, energizing the metal components of the clamp light with 120 volts of electricity, posing a shock hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Designers Edge learned of the problem when a Sears El Paso store reported electrical leakage from a clamp lamp on display. The lamp hook had been removed allowing the lamphead to pivot. It was determined that a small amount of wire was exposed from abrasion inside the junction portion of the lamp. Designers Edge subsequently reported the incident to the Commission.
Remedy Instructions
If you purchased a Designers Edge clamp light from Sears, immediately stop using the lamp and return it to Sears for a full refund. If you purchased a clamp light from a Yardbirds store, check for a date code on the lamp cord. If a date code is not marked, immediately stop using the clamp light and return it to Yardbirds for a full refund or replacement lamp. Yardbirds lamps marked with a date code are not affected by this recall.
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.
No — you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.
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.