Remote Control Receivers

CPSC Recall #92034 - December 19, 1991

Recall Summary

Recall Number92034
Recall DateDecember 19, 1991
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected6,000

Product

Remote Control Receivers

Description

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woods Wire Products, Inc., Carmel, IN today announced the voluntary recall of 6,000 Woods brand No. 1468 remote control receivers sold in 1991. Woods reported that some of the remote control receivers may have an internal wiring problem, and that the product could short circuit and present a fire hazard. No incidents of fire or injury have been reported. However, Woods urges owners to return their receivers to have them checked for the defect and replaced if needed. Since it is not known which units are potentially hazardous, the company warns owners not to use their units, even if they currently operate properly. The Woods remote control receiver plugs into an electrical receptacle and is used with a remote hand-held transmitter to operate home electrical devices such as lamps or Christmas tree lights, from a distance. The product was sold by a variety of retailers for about $10 - $15, from January 1991 through October 1991. Recalled receivers have back labels that read, in part, "III Woods No. 1468, UL Listed Appliance Control 19U4, CHK'D 91." The product carton is labeled "III Woods Transmitter and Receiver, Christmas Tree Light Control Kit, No. 1467T." Recalled remote control receivers should be returned directly to: Woods Wire Products, Inc., P.O. Box 2675, Carmel, IN 46032-6675. Each receiver will be inspected, replaced if needed, and promptly returned to the consumer. Woods will reimburse owners for shipping costs. The remote control transmitters are not defective and need not be returned to the company. Owners who have questions may call the Woods toll-free Helpline at 1-800-447-4364. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from the unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

Hazard

Woods reported that some of the remote control receivers may have an internal wiring problem, and that the product could short circuit and present a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

No incidents of fire or injury have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Recalled remote control receivers should be returned directly to: Woods Wire Products, Inc., P.O. Box 2675, Carmel, IN 46032-6675. Each receiver will be inspected, replaced if needed, and promptly returned to the consumer. Woods will reimburse owners for shipping costs. The remote control transmitters are not defective and need not be returned to the company.

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.