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Power strip surge protector

CPSC Recall #98-168 - September 13, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-168
Recall DateSeptember 13, 1998
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 194,200
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Small independent hardware
salvage
specialty
discount and surplus stores sold the power strips from March 1995 through July 1998 for about $2. The power strip in the striped black and silver box was sold nationwide. The power strip in the black
blue and orange box was sold in Arizona
California
Florida
Illinois and Texas.

Product

Power strip surge protector

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), First Choice Products Inc., of City of Industry, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 194,200 power strip surge protectors. The power strips have undersized, cracked or corroded wiring and misaligned plugs, which present fire, shock and electrocution hazards. CPSC and First Choice Products Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these power strips. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. There are two models of power strips being recalled. Both models have six outlets, and there is no significant labeling on either power strip. One model is made of cream-colored plastic, is 4 feet long, and has black outlets and a black power cord. This model was sold in a striped black and silver box labeled in part, "6-OUTLET POWER STRIP...MADE IN CHINA." The other model is made of cream-colored plastic, is 4 feet long, and has flush, cream-colored outlets and a black power cord. This model was sold in a black, blue and orange box labeled in part, "6-OUTLET POWER STRIP...MADE IN CHINA." Small independent hardware, salvage, specialty, discount and surplus stores sold the power strips from March 1995 through July 1998 for about $2. The power strip in the striped black and silver box was sold nationwide. The power strip in the black, blue and orange box was sold in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois and Texas. Consumers should stop using the power strips immediately, and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call First Choice Products Inc. at (800) 644-8277 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The power strips have undersized, cracked or corroded wiring and misaligned plugs, which present fire, shock and electrocution hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and First Choice Products Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these power strips.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the power strips 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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