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Christmas light sets and tree toppers

CPSC Recall #98-070 — February 17, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-070
Recall DateFebruary 17, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 13,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Retailers throughout Puerto Rico sold the lights from 1995 through 1997 for about $2 to $4.

Product

Christmas light sets and tree toppers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Star Bros. Inc. and Almacenes Pitusa Inc., both located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, are recalling about 13,000 Christmas light sets and tree toppers. The lights have weak connections and undersized wires, presenting a fire hazard. Star Bros. Inc. and Almacenes Pitusa Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these lights. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Star Bros. Inc. is recalling the Christmas light sets. These light sets are available in assorted colored lights and have 100 lights on the wire. The packaging reads in part, "100/5 WAY FLASHER LIGHT SET...NOEL...MANUFACTURED FOR LIBERTY BELL...MADE IN CHINA." Almacenes Pitusa Inc. is recalling the tree topper lights. These tree toppers have 10 or 11 flashing assorted colored lights on the wire. The packaging reads in part, "FLASHING LIGHTS TREE TOP...YULETIDE TRADITIONS...MADE IN CHINA." Retailers throughout Puerto Rico sold the lights from 1995 through 1997 for about $2 to $4. Consumers should stop using the lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should call either Star Bros. at (787) 781-3171 or Almacenes Pitusa at (787) 282-0202 ext. 4140. Consumer inquiries in Spanish can be directed to CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772. Media inquiries in Spanish can be directed to Jésus Chaírez, CPSC, at (214) 827-6239.

Hazard

The lights have weak connections and undersized wires, presenting a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Star Bros. Inc. and Almacenes Pitusa Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these lights.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund

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.

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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 (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.

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