"Brite Bar" fluorescent light fixtures
CPSC Recall #79-041 - August 23, 1979
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 79-041 |
| Recall Date | August 23, 1979 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 20,000 |
Product
"Brite Bar" fluorescent light fixtures
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 24) -- The American Electric Corporation, of Culver City, California, today voluntarily issued a second bulletin recalling more than 20,000 "Brite Bar" fluorescent light fixtures because of a possible electrical fire hazard. This announcement was made in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.The firm had been advised by one of its two power cord suppliers that the power cord could create a risk of fire if damaged, altered or used in a manner contrary to the instructions enclosed with the unit.Since the company's first recall announcement (in April, 1978) about 40,000 of approximately 63,800 lights manufactured with the potentially defective cord have been retrieved, primarily from distributors and dealers. However, the firm and the Commission believe that additional notice will facilitate the recovery of many of those lights still in use.The product under recall is the model 9500 "Brite Bar" slim-line, fluorescent light fixture. It is 25 inches long and includes a six-foot cord which is stamped (in red) at intervals with the warning, "Caution: Do not cut or coil."Model 9500 Fixtures Which Do Not Display This Warning On The Cord Are Equipped With A New Cord Free From The Defect And Are Not Being Recalled.Safety tests conducted by CPSC engineers have revealed a design defect in the power cord, which if coiled or folded during use, may cause the insulation to melt, exposing wires which could create a fire hazard.The Commission has received reports of two instances in which the cord allegedly started fires in consumers' homes. There have been no reported injuries.The lights being recalled were manufactured from September through December, 1977, were marketed in 28 states (list of states attached) and sold at retail for about $10.Consumers should immediately stop using these lights and return them for a free replacement or full refund (including postage costs) to American Electric Corporation, 9937 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, California, 90230; Attention: June Polk, Consumer Relations Manager.Anyone who wants a refund instead of a new light must also include proof-of-purchase indicating the retail price paid for the product.To verify the model number on these fixtures, call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.States Which Marketed "Brite Bar" LightsAlabamaArizonaCaliforniaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIndianaLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMinnesotaMichiganMississippiNevadaNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasWashington
Hazard
Safety tests conducted by CPSC engineers have revealed a design defect in the power cord, which if coiled or folded during use, may cause the insulation to melt, exposing wires which could create a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
The Commission has received reports of two instances in which the cord allegedly started fires in consumers' homes. There have been no reported injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using these lights and return them for a free replacement or full refund (including postage costs) to American Electric Corporation, 9937 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, California, 90230; Attention: June Polk, Consumer Relations Manager.Anyone who wants a refund instead of a new light must also include proof-of-purchase indicating the retail price paid for the product.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace 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, Replace) 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.