Rope Lights

CPSC Recall #01-071b — January 22, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-071b
Recall DateJanuary 22, 2001
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedAbout 27,300
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Gift stores and catalogs sold the lights nationwide from August 2000 through October 2000 for between $20 and $24. The lights also were given as prizes by fundraising organizations during this period.

Product

Rope Lights

Description

PRODUCT: Rope Lights - CO2UCH of Glendale, Calif., voluntarily recalled about 27,300 rope lights with controller boxes. Rope lights are lights inside a plastic cord used for decorative lighting. The lights are 9 feet long with a white electrical cord. The controller box has the following identifying information imprinted on one side: "CHENG TUNG, MODEL CT-028" The other side of the controller is shaped to look like a bear or dog wearing a bow tie. The animal's feet are the control buttons. The lights were sold in a blue box, labeled in part, "ROPE LIGHTS, 9 FT. OF TWINKLE FUN, CO2UCH, MADE IN CHINA" Gift stores and catalogs sold the lights nationwide from August 2000 through October 2000 for between $20 and $24. The lights also were given as prizes by fundraising organizations during this period.PROBLEM: The rope light controller, which allows consumers to choose the type of light motion, such as flash or chase, can short circuit. This poses shock, fire, and burn hazards to consumers.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: CO2UCH has received six reports of the controller sparking. One consumer received an electrical burn that blistered the skin.WHAT TO DO: Stop using these rope lights immediately, and discard or destroy the product. The firm is out of business and cannot be contacted.

Hazard

The rope light controller, which allows consumers to choose the type of light motion, such as flash or chase, can short circuit. This poses shock, fire, and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

CO2UCH has received six reports of the controller sparking. One consumer received an electrical burn that blistered the skin.

Remedy Instructions

Firm no longer in business. Recall remedy no longer available. Discard the product. Do not donate or resell.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available 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 (Dispose, No Remedy Available) 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.