"Renown" Christmas tree light sets, model number 222/15B, indoor only.

CPSC Recall #77-130 - December 21, 1977

Recall Summary

Recall Number77-130
Recall DateDecember 21, 1977
Remedy TypeRefund, Replace

Product

"Renown" Christmas tree light sets, model number 222/15B, indoor only.

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 22) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with New York Merchandise Co., Inc., today announced that New York Merchandise will voluntarily stop sale of their 15-bulb "Renown" Christmas tree light sets, model number 222/15B, indoor only. The Christmas light sets, retail for $4.50-$5, are packaged in a white and red cardboard box with a clear cellophane window, and were distributed nationwide. The bulb sockets in these sets may contain incorrectly placed metal electrical contacts that may create a potential fire hazard by shorting out the bulb and overheating the wires. The company urges consumers who have purchased one of these light sets to carefully examine the inside of each socket, noting the placement of the two metal electrical contacts. If correctly constructed, one metal contact is mounted horizontally across the inside base of the socket and the other stands vertically along the inside wall. If both contacts are in the vertical position, the set is defective and should not be used. Consumers can return a defective set to their dealer for a full refund or replacement. Anyone wishing additional information should write to New York Merchandise Co., 32 W. 23rd St., New York, N.Y. 10010, or call the company at 212/675-3500.

Hazard

The bulb sockets in these sets may contain incorrectly placed metal electrical contacts that may create a potential fire hazard by shorting out the bulb and overheating the wires.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers can return a defective set to their dealer for a full refund or replacement.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace 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, Replace) 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.