Christmas light replacement bulbs
CPSC Recall #78-001 - January 2, 1978
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 78-001 |
| Recall Date | January 2, 1978 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, Refund |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Product
Christmas light replacement bulbs
Description
WASHINGTON, DC (Jan. 3) -- Le Gran Imports, Long Beach, California, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced that Le Gran Imports is voluntarily withdrawing from sale certain imported Christmas light replacement bulbs which were made in Taiwan.The Commission staff discovered a defect in some of the bulbs which could create a fire or shock hazard when electrical current is first applied. The defect is a thin strand of wire approximately 1/4" in length or longer, which may protrude from the side of the bulb base or from the solder tip at the base of the bulb.Consumers who may have purchased these replacement bulbs are urged to immediately inspect them to see if a thin strand of wire is protruding from the side of the bulb base or from the solder tip at the base of the bulb. If a protruding wire is present, the bulb is defective and should not be used. The consumer should return the defective bulbs to the place of purchase for exchange or refund.The bulbs subject to the defect are identified on the package as Item No. LC-7005P size 7 1/2. The words "Christmas Lamps" and the name "Le Gran Imports" also appear on the package. The bulbs, sold five to a package, retailed for approximately $.75 or less and were sold nationwide.Le Gran Imports and the Commission warn that other distributors may have imported these same bulbs from Taiwan and may be selling them under different brand names. The consumer is cautioned to inspect all such replacement light bulbs before installing them in decorative lighting fixtures.
Hazard
The Commission staff discovered a defect in some of the bulbs which could create a fire or shock hazard when electrical current is first applied.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who may have purchased these replacement bulbs are urged to immediately inspect them to see if a thin strand of wire is protruding from the side of the bulb base or from the solder tip at the base of the bulb. If a protruding wire is present, the bulb is defective and should not be used. The consumer should return the defective bulbs to the place of purchase for exchange or refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, 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 (Inspect, 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.