Snowmen Holiday Lamps

CPSC Recall #04-140 — May 18, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-140
Recall DateMay 18, 2004
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected1,900
ImporterGreat Gifts Inc., McKeesport, PA
Manufactured InUnited States and China

Where It Was Sold

Small gift stores nationwide from October 2003 through December 2003 for about $10.

Product

Snowmen Holiday Lamps

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Great Gifts Inc., McKeesport, Pa., is voluntarily recalling Snowmen Holiday Lamps. These electric holiday lamps have undersized wiring, no strain relief on the electric cords, and the molded plastic enclosure is flammable. The lamps pose fire and electrocution hazards.Name of product: Snowmen Holiday LampsUnits: 1,900Importer: Great Gifts Inc., McKeesport, PAHazard: These electric holiday lamps have undersized wiring, no strain relief on the electric cords, and the molded plastic enclosure is flammable. The lamps pose fire and electrocution hazards.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: There are three styles of snowmen lamps included in the recall. The Turbo 1541 model is a train with a snowman and light with "Joyful" written on the top. The model 1536A consists of three snowmen with a light in a campfire. Model 1628 is three snowmen with a choir book and light. Each holiday light has the model number listed on its base with the label "Made in China for Great Gifts McKeesport PA 15132."Sold at: Small gift stores nationwide from October 2003 through December 2003 for about $10.Manufactured in: U.S.A. and ChinaRemedy: Stop using these lamps, and contact the firm to get information on returning them and receiving a refund.Consumer Contact: Call Great Gifts Inc. toll-free at (800) 611-0651 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.Media Contact: Marian Basa at (412) 672-2300.

Hazard

These electric holiday lamps have undersized wiring, no strain relief on the electric cords, and the molded plastic enclosure is flammable. The lamps pose fire and electrocution hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Stop using these lamps, and contact the firm to get information on returning them and receiving 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.

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.