Christmas light replacement bulbs
CPSC Recall #77-128 - December 21, 1977
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 77-128 |
| Recall Date | December 21, 1977 |
| Remedy Type | Refund, Replace |
Product
Christmas light replacement bulbs
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 21) -- Market Research Imports (MRI), Incline Village, Nevada, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced that MRI is voluntarily withdrawing from sale certain imported Christmas light replacement bulbs which were made in Taiwan. MRI discovered a defect in some of the bulbs which could cause them to shatter with explosive force when electrical current is first applied. The defect is a thin strand of wire approximately l/8" to l/4" in length, which may protrude 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 solder tip at the base of the bulb. If a protruding wire is present, the bulb is defective. The defect may be safely removed by simply snipping off the protruding wire at the solder tip with a pair of. scissors or pliars with cutting edges. The consumer may also elect to return the defective bulbs to the place of purchase for exchange or refund. Two models of bulbs are subject to the defect, and are identified on the package as Item No. LC-9004 size 9 l/4, and Item No. LC-7004 size 7 l/2. The words "Replacement Bulbs" and the letters "MRI" also appear on the package. The bulbs, sold four to a package, retailed for approximately $1.00 or less and were sold nationwide. MRI 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
Market Research Imports (MRI), MRI discovered a defect in some of the bulbs which could cause them to shatter with explosive force when electrical current is first applied.
Remedy Instructions
The consumer may elect to 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 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.
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.