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"String-to-string" miniature Christmas lights

CPSC Recall #90-025 — January 2, 1990

Recall Summary

Recall Number90-025
Recall DateJanuary 2, 1990
Remedy TypeReplace, Repair
Units AffectedMore than a million

Where It Was Sold

The lights were sold at Big Lots
Eckerd
Kmart
Odd Lot
Revco
Walmart and other retail stores nationwide.

Product

"String-to-string" miniature Christmas lights

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Toyo Industrial, Taipei, Taiwan, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced a recall of more than a million "string-to-string" miniature Christmas light sets which may present a shock or electrocution hazard. Strings of Christmas lights which have "TOYO" and "TP-6" imprinted on the end of the female connector, located at the end of the light set and to which other strings of lights can be attached, present the hazard. The "TP-6" connector is found on some sets of 35, 50, 70, and 100 lights, which were sold at Big Lot, Eckerd, Kmart, Odd Lot, Revco, Walmart and other retail stores nationwide. While no injuries have been reported, it is possible for the metal contacts, which are located inside the female connector, to be pulled or pushed out when plugging and unplugging the light strings. Any exposed contacts in the connector could present a shock or electrocution hazard to consumers. Before Christmas lights are taken down, consumers should unplug all Christmas light sets from the wall to prevent possible shock hazards. Consumers should then check all female connectors on their light strings for "TOYO" and "TP-6" markings. Consumers who have Christmas lights with "TP-6" connectors should call Toyo toll-free at 1-800-545-8330 from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) to obtain a free shipping container to return the recalled light sets. The light sets will be repaired or replaced and returned free-of-charge by the company. The Commission learned of this problem from Toyo, who was informed by a retailer.

Hazard

The metal contacts, which are located inside the female connector, may be pulled or pushed out when plugging and unplugging the light strings. Any exposed contacts in the connector could present a shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who have Christmas lights with "TP-6" connectors should call Toyo toll-free at 1-800-545-8330 to obtain a free shipping container to return the recalled light sets. The light sets will be repaired or replaced and returned free-of-charge by the company.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace, Repair 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 (Replace, Repair) at no cost to you.

No — you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.

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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