Undercabinet fluorescent light fixtures
CPSC Recall #99-112 — May 19, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-112 |
| Recall Date | May 19, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 9,100 |
Where It Was Sold
| The Home Depot |
| Lowe's |
| Hechingers |
| Builders' Square |
| Payless Cashways and Ace Hardware and other home center and hardware stores nationwide sold these light fixtures between February 1998 and April 1999 for about $35. |
Product
Undercabinet fluorescent light fixtures
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), GE Home Electric Products Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, is announcing the recall of about 9,100 undercabinet fluorescent light fixtures. These fixtures were improperly assembled and could present a serious electrical shock hazard to consumers. CPSC and GE have not received any reports of incidents or injuries resulting from the use of these lights. This recall is being conducted to prevent injuries. These lights are GE "Ultra Thin Line" 12-inch and 24-inch direct-wire, fluorescent, undercabinet fixtures. They are directly wired into the electrical system of the house. All the fixtures are white, and there is no writing on the outside of fixture. Before examining your fixture, turn the power off at the breaker switch. Under the plastic bulb guard, "GE Lighting" and the model number are written on a sticker. The model numbers subject to this recall are 23039, 27278, 23045 and 27281. The Home Depot, Lowe's, Hechingers, Builders' Square, Payless Cashways and Ace Hardware and other home center and hardware stores nationwide sold these light fixtures between February 1998 and April 1999 for about $35. Consumers should not touch these light fixtures, whether on or off, as long as the breaker switch is on. Consumers with these recalled light fixtures should call GE Home Electric Products to have a qualified electrician come to their home to replace the light fixture. For more information or to have your fixture replaced, call GE Home Electric Products at (800) 517-9602 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. Light fixtures plugged into wall sockets are not included in this recall.
Hazard
These fixtures were improperly assembled and could present a serious electrical shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and GE have not received any reports of incidents or injuries resulting from the use of these lights.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should not touch these light fixtures, whether on or off, as long as the breaker switch is on. Consumers with these recalled light fixtures should call GE Home Electric Products to have a qualified electrician come to their home to replace the light fixture.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a 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 (Replace) 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.