"Rainbow Lamp", also known as a "Mini Shadowy Stand" lamp

CPSC Recall #74-005 - February 5, 1974

Recall Summary

Recall Number74-005
Recall DateFebruary 5, 1974
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedSome 35,000 lamps have been sold since February, 1973.

Product

"Rainbow Lamp", also known as a "Mini Shadowy Stand" lamp

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 6)--The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers who may have purchased a "Rainbow Lamp", also known as a "Mini Shadowy Stand" lamp, to immediately discontinue use of the product. The Commission said the lamp-- which retails for approximately $1.98-- contains defects which could result in a fatal electric shock. Some 35,000 lamps have been sold since February, 1973. They were advertised nationally in TV Guide, Sunday newspaper supplements, including Parade Magazine; Ladies Home Journal; and in the "New Discoveries from Greenland" catalog which was mailed to several million consumers over the last few months. The Commission said the lamps were distributed in the United States by Greenland Studios, 4500 Northwest, 135th Street, Miami, Florida. They were imported from Taiwan and carry the model number 13348 in some of the advertisements but not on the lamp or package. The Commission warned consumers to use "extreme care" in disconnecting the lamp plug from electrical outlets, and to avoid touching any metal objects while doing so. The lamp is designed to cast shadows of various shapes on walls when in use and has been advertised as providing a "sensuous light show". Consumers Union notified the Commission of the possible hazard, on February 1, 1974. The Commission immediately secured samples of the lamps and began testing. Further importation and sales of the lamps have been halted and the Commission said the company is cooperating fully with the Commission and has voluntarily agreed to refund the full purchase price on all returns, including cost of postage. In addition, the company has agreed to make a direct mailing to known purchasers, warning them of the hazard and offering to repurchase the lamps. In making the announcement, the Commission said it was deeply concerned by the failure of national publications to exercise "any degree of responsibility" in verifying the safety of products advertised for sale to consumers. "We believe publications-- such as TV Guide and Ladies Home Journal-- have a special responsibility to assure that products advertised for sale do not pose unreasonable risks of injury to consumers." Greenland Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Downe Communications, Inc., which also owns Ladies Home Journal and Family Weekly.

Hazard

The lamp contains defects which could result in a fatal electric shock.

Remedy Instructions

The company is cooperating fully with the Commission and has voluntarily agreed to refund the full purchase price on all returns, including cost of postage.

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.