Extension Cords & Power Strip Surge Protectors Recall
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ken Giles
March 31, 1997
(301) 504-7052
Release # 97-094
CPSC and Chandur Hasso Inc. Announce Recall of Extension
Cords and Power Strip Surge Protectors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Chandur Hasso Inc. of New
York, N.Y., is recalling about 2,300 extension cords and
18,000 power strip surge protectors. The extension cords and
power strip surge protectors present fire, shock, and
electrocution hazards.
CPSC and Chandur Hasso Inc. are not aware of any
injuries involving these products. This recall is being
conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
The brown 12-foot extension cord (model SS2104) has
undersized wires and is made with a plastic that, once
ignited, continues to burn and spread flames. The receptor
end of the cord is imprinted with seven parallel ribs on
each side. "125V 13A" is imprinted on the single receptor
end. The cord has a plastic warning label attached to one
end that reads in part, "CAUTION AVOID HAZARDS...KEEP
CHILDREN AWAY...DO NOT USE DAMAGED CORD...FOR INDOOR USE
ONLY." The cord was packaged in a cardboard wrapper labeled
in part, "SOMITO...SS2104...12 ft. Household Extension
Cord...Polarized."
Retailers in New York and Illinois., such as Hyundai
Electronics, Jack's 99¢ Stores, Star Distributors, and
Universal Electronics, sold these cords from February to
April 1996 for about $1.
The 6-outlet power strip surge protector (model number
SX-865) has undersized wires, faulty soldering, and a
non-polarized plug. There is no labeling on the surge
protector, but it is made of a beige-colored metal with
black outlets and a red power switch. The electrical
cord is white. The surge protector was packaged in a blue
cardboard box labeled in part, METAL SURGE PROTECTED OUTLET
CENTER...FULL 3 LINE GROUND PROTECTION...LIGHTED ON/OFF
SWITCH...SOMITO MODEL# SX-865." There is a picture of the
surge protector on the front of the box.
The 6-outlet power strip surge protector has
undersized wires, faulty soldering, and a non-polarized
plug. There is no labeling on the surge protector, but it is
made of a beige-colored metal with black outlets and a red
power switch. The electrical cord is black. The
surge protector was packaged in a blue cardboard box labeled
in part, "6-OUTLET AC SURGE PROTECTOR...CLEAN POWER SOURCE
WITH SPIKE SUPPRESSOR...15 AMPS MAXIMUM CAPACITY." There is
a picture of the surge protector on the front of the box,
and part of the surge protector is visible through a
plastic-covered cutout that is part of the picture.
Discount and hardware stores in New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio sold
these surge protectors from January 1995 to October 1996 for
about $5.
Consumers should stop using these extension cords and
power strip surge protectors immediately, and return them to
the stores where purchased for a full refund. For more
information, consumers should call Chandur Hasso Inc. at
(800) 451-4244. Consumers who live in the New York
metropolitan area should call (212) 268-6265.
