Sears and Kent medicine cabinets with built-in electrical outlets
CPSC Recall #75-006 - January 6, 1975
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 75-006 |
| Recall Date | January 6, 1975 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Nearly 9,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| The Kent units were sold to independent retailers east of Salt Lake City |
| Utah. |
Product
Sears and Kent medicine cabinets with built-in electrical outlets
Description
Washington, D.C. -- Owners of nearly 9,000 Sears and Kent medicine cabinets with built-in electrical outlets purchased since September, 1974 were today urged to return them due to a potential shock hazard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been informed that some of the electrical outlets may have been improperly assembled, which could result in a serious shock when consumers use an appliance with a 3-prong grounded plug. It is also possible that a shock hazard could exist if the medicine cabinet itself is not properly installed. The cabinets were manufactured by the Kent Division, LCA Corporation, Bellevue, Kentucky. The potential hazard was reported to the Commission by H.H. Flourescent Parts, Inc. of Cheltenham, Pa., manufacturers of the outlet. No injuries have been reported. The cabinets were sold under the Kent name through independent distributors, jobbers and retailers east of Salt Lake City and throughout the nation under the Sears name by Sears, Roebuck and Company. Only cabinets sold since September, 1974 are involved. Prices ranged from $50 to $160, depending on the model. The Sears models are identified as Nos: 861-38530 861-3854 861-3854 861-3855 861-38710 861-38800 861-38541 861-38551 The Kent units were sold to independent retailers east of Salt Lake City, Utah. These units are identified by Nos: L-GO-1216 L-WO-1216 L-GO-1420 L-WO-1420 L-G-CAR-1420 L-W-CAR-1420 L-CRE-1420 L-CEO-1420 L-LEX-1420 L-SOM-1420 L-SO-1420 L-COA-1420 L-WIL-1420 Model numbers are located on a nameplate under the bottom shelf. Consumers, builders and others who bought these cabinets are urged to return them to their place of purchase for exchange, repair or refund. Sears customers requesting assistance in cabinet removal should contact their local Sears stores. Kent customers should contact the store from which the purchase was made.
Hazard
Potential shock hazard
Remedy Instructions
Consumers, builders and others who bought these cabinets are urged to return them to their place of purchase for exchange, repair or refund. Sears customers requesting assistance in cabinet removal should contact their local Sears stores. Kent customers should contact the store from which the purchase was made.
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.