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Extension cords

CPSC Recall #99-067 — February 22, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-067
Recall DateFebruary 22, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedNearly 1 million
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Discount and tool stores in California
Florida
New Jersey
New York and Texas sold the cords from March 1997 through November 1998 for about $1 to $2.

Product

Extension cords

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wellmax International Inc., of Long Beach, Calif., is voluntarily recalling nearly 1 million extension cords. The cords have undersized wires and reverse polarity receptacles that allow plugs to be incorrectly inserted, presenting fire, shock and electrocution hazards to consumers.CPSC and Wellmax are not aware of any injuries involving these cords. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The household extension cords are white and are available in lengths of 6, 9, 12, 15 and 20 feet. The labeling, "SPT-2...18AWGX2C...60...C", is imprinted in black on the cords. The cords were packaged in a green cardboard display sleeve, labeled in part, "HOUSEHOLD EXTENSION CORD...SPT-2...MADE IN CHINA.Discount and tool stores in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Texas sold the cords from March 1997 through November 1998 for about $1 to $2.Consumers should stop using the recalled cords immediately and return the cords for a full refund plus the cost of shipping to: Wellmax International, Inc., 2300 E. Artesia Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90805. Include your return address, phone number, copy of receipt or indicate the price paid, name of retail store purchased and the cost for the return shipping. If consumers have any questions, they should call Wellmax at (800) 387-8865 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The cords have undersized wires and reverse polarity receptacles that allow plugs to be incorrectly inserted, presenting fire, shock and electrocution hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Wellmax are not aware of any injuries involving these cords.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled cords immediately and return the cords for a full refund plus the cost of shipping to: Wellmax International, Inc., 2300 E. Artesia Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90805.

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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