Woods Wire clamp-on lamps with metal reflectors
CPSC Recall #75-072 - December 11, 1975
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 75-072 |
| Recall Date | December 11, 1975 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 40,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Most of the lamps were sold in retail stores between April 1970 and December 1971 for approximately $3.00. |
Product
Woods Wire clamp-on lamps with metal reflectors
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Woods Wire Products, Inc. today announced that some 40,000 clamp-on lamps with metal reflectors, manufactured during 1970 and 1971 by Woods Wire Products, Inc. may pose an imminent danger of severe electric shock. When the lamp is plugged in, the metal spring protecting the cord from strain at the base of the bulb socket cap may become electrically "hot," thus creating a shock hazard. Most of the lamps were sold in retail stores between April 1970 and December 1971 for approximately $3.00. Some may still be available. Retailers are being notified. The lamp consists of a bulb socket attached to a bowl-shaped metal reflector and to a clamp capable of gripping the edge of a door, table top, or other item of furniture. Such lamps are used for a variety of purposes requiring extra illumination. Consumers can determine whether theirs is one of the potentially defective lamps by DISCONNECTING THE LAMP from the electrical outlet and examining it as follows: The lamp will have a metal spring at the base of the socket, surrounding the power cord and extending into the base of the bulb socket cap. The wire usually has a black vinyl covering, with the trademark "INDUSTRO R" and "300 Volts" printed in white letters. These two characteristics will identify the lamp, but consumers should be aware that the metal spring is the primary identifier. After DISCONNECTING and identifying the lamp, consumers should separate the socket cap from the assembly and examine the inside of the socket. If there is a cardboard disc between the spring and the socket assembly, the lamp does not present the potential hazard. However, if there is no such insulator disc, the consumer should call the manufacturer Woods Wire Products, Inc. toll free at 800/428-9511 (In Indiana call collect at 317/844-7262) to receive instructions on how to return the potentially defective socket assembly to the manufacturer. All postage will be paid by the manufacturer.
Hazard
When the lamp is plugged in, the metal spring protecting the cord from strain at the base of the bulb socket cap may become electrically "hot," thus creating a shock hazard.
Remedy Instructions
If there is a cardboard disc between the spring and the socket assembly, the lamp does not present the potential hazard. However, if there is no such insulator disc, the consumer should call the manufacturer Woods Wire Products, Inc. toll free at 800/428-9511 (In Indiana call collect at 317/844-7262) to receive instructions on how to return the potentially defective socket assembly to the manufacturer. All postage will be paid by the manufacturer.
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.
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.