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Voltage testers

CPSC Recall #99-087 — March 24, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-087
Recall DateMarch 24, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 14,000
ManufacturerTest-Rite International Co., Ltd., of Bensenville, Ill.

Product

Voltage testers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woods Industries Inc., of Carmel, Ind., is recalling about 14,000 voltage testers. These testers could short circuit, causing possible shock, electrocution or burns. Woods Industries is aware of five reports of the tester short circuiting, including one serious injury to an electrician working with high voltage. He reportedly suffered second and third degree burns to his chest, hands, neck and face. These voltage testers are rated for 120 to 600 volts. "Woods®" and "Taiwan" are molded into the tester's case. The body of the test meter is black, and measures about 6.25 inches long by 2.4 inches wide and about 1.2 inches thick. The wire leads are red and black. The testers have model number 1307, which could be found on the packaging and in the user's manual. Home centers and hardware stores nationwide sold these voltage testers between January 1985 and December 1988 for $10 to $15. Consumers with these recalled voltage testers should stop using them immediately, and return them to Woods Industries for a $20 refund and the price of postage. For information on returning recalled voltage testers, consumers should call Woods Industries toll-free at (877) 221-4627 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. These testers were manufactured by Test-Rite International Co., Ltd., of Bensenville, Ill., and distributed by a company Woods Industries later acquired. Woods Industries is taking the steps necessary to remove this product from circulation.

Hazard

These testers could short circuit, causing possible shock, electrocution or burns.

Incidents & Injuries

Woods Industries is aware of five reports of the tester short circuiting, including one serious injury to an electrician working with high voltage. He reportedly suffered second and third degree burns to his chest, hands, neck and face.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers with these recalled voltage testers should stop using them immediately, and return them to Woods Industries for a $20 refund and the price of postage.

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.

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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 (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.

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