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Extension cords and cord reels

CPSC Recall #01-006 — October 9, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-006
Recall DateOctober 9, 2000
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 500,000
Manufactured InUnited States, Malaysia and China

Where It Was Sold

Home and hardware stores nationwide sold the extension cords and cord reels from January 1996 through July 2000 for between $12 to $35.

Product

Extension cords and cord reels

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woods Industries Inc., of Carmel, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 500,000 outdoor extension cords and 19,000 cord reels. The extension cords and cord reels are equipped with a locking plug, which is designed to keep tools plugged in. The plastic housing of the locking plug can separate or break, exposing consumers to live wires and posing shock and electrocution hazards. Woods Industries has received three reports of the plug housing separating or breaking. No injuries have been reported. The recalled extension cords and cord reels are equipped with a LockJaw™ locking plug. The LockJaw™ plug has the following words embedded on the red, green or yellow locking button, located on the side of the plug, "LOCK, WOODS®, OPEN" or "LOCK, OPEN". The extension cords were sold under the "Woods LockJaw™" and "Yellow Jacket® LockJaw™" brand names in various wire gauges, lengths and colors. The cord reels are 30 feet long, and were sold under the "Woods' ACDelco" and "LumaPro" brand names in various wire gauges and colors. Some of the extension cords and cord reels have two-prong plugs and some have three- prong plugs. Some have the brand name on the cord. They are UL listed, assembled in the United States or Malaysia with a LockJaw™ plug made in China. Home and hardware stores nationwide sold the extension cords and cord reels from January 1996 through July 2000 for between $12 to $35. Consumers should stop using the extension cords and cord reels immediately and call Woods Industries toll-free at (888) 755-6535 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST to receive a replacement extension cord or cord reel. Extension cords and cord reels equipped with a gray locking button on the side of the LockJaw™ plug are not recalled. 

Hazard

The plastic housing of the locking plug can separate or break, exposing consumers to live wires and posing shock and electrocution hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

Woods Industries has received three reports of the plug housing separating or breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the extension cords and cord reels immediately and call Woods Industries toll-free at (888) 755-6535 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST to receive a replacement extension cord or cord reel.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (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.

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