Indoor-outdoor miniature Christmas lights
CPSC Recall #74-085 - December 17, 1974
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 74-085 |
| Recall Date | December 17, 1974 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 300,000 sets |
Where It Was Sold
| Kresge sold the lights under its own brand name in K-Mart |
| Kresge and Jupiter stores across the country for between $2.00 and $5.00. |
Product
Indoor-outdoor miniature Christmas lights
Description
Washington, D.C. (Dec. 18, 1974)- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with the S.S. Kresge Co. and Noma Manufacturing and Import Co. today warned consumers that approximately 300,000 sets of indoor-outdoor miniature Christmas lights sold nationwide over the past two years could present severe hazard of electric shock and fire. Exposed metal contacts in the female end connector and loose or exposed bare wire connections make the lights potentially hazardous. Kresge sold the lights under its own brand name in K-Mart, Kresge and Jupiter stores across the country for between $2.00 and $5.00.The label on the greenish blue and white carton reads: "35 or 50 Professional Decorator's Miniature Lites." Possibly defective sets have the following serial numbers on the front of the carton: 91-21; 91-23; 91-24; 91-25; 91-26: 91-27; 91-28; 91-40B and 91-43 (for indoor only). The Noma brand lights, which were sold in small retail outlets across the nation, are called "Noma Deluxe" and also state "35 or 50 Mini-Mini Lites" on the front of the box. Possibly defective sets carry the following numbers on the box cover: 3835; 3836: 3850; 3851; 3854; 3856. These lights were designed to be used singly or in groups. Noma will correct and repair, at no cost, all sets returned to them -- Noma, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Consumers who purchased these lights should cease using them immediately and carefully disconnect them from electrical outlets.The Kresge Co. has stated that it will refund the purchase price.The Commission was alerted to the hazard after a youngster in Chicago received a shock when he accidentally touched the lights.
Hazard
Exposed metal contacts in the female end connector and loose or exposed bare wire connections make the lights potentially hazardous.
Incidents & Injuries
The Commission was alerted to the hazard after a youngster in Chicago received a shock when he accidentally touched the lights.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who purchased these lights should cease using them immediately and carefully disconnect them from electrical outlets.The Kresge Co. has stated that it will refund the purchase price.
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.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.