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Extension cord adapters (packaged with electric hedge trimmers)

CPSC Recall #78-070 - August 1, 1978

Recall Summary

Recall Number78-070
Recall DateAugust 1, 1978
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 200,000
ManufacturerThe Black and Decker Manufacturing Co., of Towson, Maryland

Product

Extension cord adapters (packaged with electric hedge trimmers)

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 2) -- The Black and Decker Manufacturing Co., Towson, Md., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary recall of its no. 86-210 extension-cord adapters because of a potential shock hazard. The adapters were packaged with Black and Decker electric hedge trimmers during the spring and summer of 1978, and distributed nationwide. According to the company, less than 1,000 of the more than 200,000 adapters produced could have exposed brass electrical contacts protruding through the molded material, a condition which could cause a serious electrical shock. The adapters are orange and can be identified by the number "86-210" molded on the outside surface. The adapters are supplied as standard equipment with hedge trimmers, along with instructions for attaching the adapter to an extension cord. Consumers should immediately stop using the adapters and closely examine them for any metal showing through the outside surface. Adapters showing metal should be returned for free replacement to any Black and Decker Service Center, or a Black and Decker-authorized service center listed in the yellow pages. The company, which informed CPSC of the potential safety hazard on July 11, 1978, sent letters providing recall instructions to all consumers who mailed in the registration card packed with the hedge trimmers. Consumers who have questions about the condition of their adapters or who need additional information can call Black and Decker collect at 301-828-2955 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. To verify the model number, call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

Hazard

Some of the adapters produced could have exposed brass electrical contacts protruding through the molded material, a condition which could cause a serious electrical shock.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the adapters and closely examine them for any metal showing through the outside surface. Adapters showing metal should be returned for free replacement to any Black and Decker Service Center, or a Black and Decker-authorized service center.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (Replace) 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.

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