CPSC Recall in 1997: CPSC, Importers, Retailers Announce Recall of Christmas Lights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), four importers and two retailers are recalling over 332,700 Christmas light sets. The light sets have flammable plastic parts, bulb sockets that can fall apart, no fuse protection, exposed bare wires and undersized wires, presenting a fire hazard.CPSC has received one report of a light set's bulb socket falling apart and exposing bare wires. No injuries have been reported.The following tables list the importers and the retailers participating in this recall. There are no identifying markings on the light sets and the lights could be multicolored or clear.      Importer/RetailerDescription of PackagingDescription of LightsDates SoldWhere Sold     Rona DistributorsPuerto Rico(787) 768-8020ImporterGreen, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sledsGreen, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sledsGreen, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sleds100 lights per string5 way flashing lights150 lights per string3 way flashing lights200 lights per string10 way flashing lights199619961996Puerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto Rico     Star BrothersPuerto Rico(787) 781-3898ImporterGreen box with "Three Kings," ornaments and musical notesGreen box with "Three Kings," ornaments and musical notes150 lights per stringsteady burning lights200 lights per stringsteady burning lightsOctober 1997October 1997Puerto RicoPuerto Rico     La ReinaPuerto Rico(787) 743-4445RetailerRed box with "Liberty" bells and ornaments or red box with Christmas treeRed box with "Liberty" bells100 lights per string5 way flashing lights140 lights per string8 function controller: "combination, in waves,sequential, slo-glo, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, steady on"1995 to 19971995 to 1997Puerto RicoPuerto Rico     Island RecreationLong Island, NY(800) 773-6353(in NY only)RetailerWhite box with Christmas tree and elves100 lights per stringsteady burning or flashing1996 to 1997NY     Advance International/Holiday IndustriesBronx, NY(718) 892-3460ImporterRed box with yellow bowRed box with yellow bowBlue box100 lights per string2 way flashing lights100 lights per string5 way flashing lights140 chasing lights19941995 to 19961996MA, NC, NY, TXMA, NC, NY, TXMA, NC, NY, TX     STK InternationalVernon, CA(800) 536-7855ImporterRed box with Christmas tree100 miniature lights per stringsteady burning or flashing lightsJuly 1996 through April 1997CA, FL, NY, OH, PA, TX     Discount and dollar-type stores sold the light sets for about $1 to $8.Consumers should stop using the recalled Christmas light sets immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For assistance in identifying these recalled light sets, consumers should call the companies listed in this release. 

The light sets have flammable plastic parts, bulb sockets that can fall apart, no fuse protection, exposed bare wires and undersized wires, presenting a fire hazard.

Refund

CPSC has received one report of a light set's bulb socket falling apart and exposing bare wires. No injuries have been reported.

Discount and dollar-type stores sold the light sets for about $1 to $8.