Foremost Tool Fluorescent Work Lights
CPSC Recall #99-163b — August 29, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-163b |
| Recall Date | August 29, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 1,300 |
| Manufacturer | Foremost Tool Co. Inc., of Kent, Wash. |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| Tool and hardware stores |
| including Tool Town |
| in the Northwest sold the work lights from July 1992 through July 1999 for about $13. |
Product
Foremost Tool Fluorescent Work Lights
Description
PRODUCT: Work Lights - Foremost Tool Co. Inc., of Kent, Wash., is voluntarily recalling more than 1,300 Fluorescent Work Lights. The work light is a fluorescent bulb enclosed in a clear plastic tube with yellow plastic caps on both ends. One end is attached to a yellow electrical cord that ends in a 3-prong plug. The item along with two yellow plastic "S" hooks and instructions for use are packaged in a box labeled in part, "FLUORESCENT WORK LIGHT...MADE IN TAIWAN FOR FOREMOST TOOL CO." Tool and hardware stores, including Tool Town, in the Northwest sold the work lights from July 1992 through July 1999 for about $13. PROBLEM: The work lights present fire, electrocution and shock hazards. The lights have undersized wiring, an inadequate grounding system and faulty plugs. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported. WHAT TO DO: Stop using the lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions or seeking additional information should contact the firm at (800) 448-8184 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.
Hazard
The work lights present fire, electrocution and shock hazards. The lights have undersized wiring, an inadequate grounding system and faulty plugs.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Stop using the lights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full 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.
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.