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Kmart Recalls Holiday Electric Candle Lights

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Name of Product:
"Candoliers" holiday electric candle lights
Hazard:

The improper wiring could cause a shock hazard. The improperly aligned contact tabs will immediately short circuit and present a potential fire, thermal burn or shock hazard to users.

Remedy:
Refund
Replace
Recall Date:
December 01, 1993
Units:

Approximately 72,000 three-light Candoliers and approximately 292,400 single-light Candoliers

Consumer Contact

For further information, consumers may call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

Recall Details

Description:

PRODUCT: Holiday electric candle decorations with either three bulbs or a single bulb, manufactured by Willis Mfg. and sold at Kmart during the 1992 Christmas season. The affected single and three candle units are improperly wired. The three candle units may also have improperly aligned metal contact tabs.

PROBLEM: The improper wiring could cause a shock hazard. The improperly aligned contact tabs will immediately short circuit and present a potential fire, thermal burn or shock hazard to users.

WHAT TO DO: Do not attempt to repair defective units. Take them back to any Kmart store for a free refund or replacement.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Kmart Corporation, of Troy, MI, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urge consumers who bought holiday candle lights called "Candoliers" from Kmart during the 1992 holiday season to return the lights to any Kmart store for a full refund or replacement. The Candoliers may be improperly wired; three-light Candoliers may also have improperly aligned metal contact tabs. The improper wiring and alignment could lead to shock, thermal burn, or fire.

The Candoliers came in single and three-lights. The single-light Candoliers were packaged in a plastic bag with a cardboard package top reading "Single Candolier." The candle lights are about 11 inches high. They have an off-white plastic stem and base, and either a clear or an orange bulb. Single-light Candoliers sold at Kmart for $.99 each.

Three-light Candoliers were packaged in a cardboard box. The stems and base are off-white molded plastic. The outer two candles are six inches high and the center candle is seven inches high. The three-light Candoliers were packaged with either clear or orange bulbs. They sold at Kmart for $4.59 each.

To avoid injury, Kmart is recalling all affected products. Candoliers with improperly aligned metal contact tabs will immediately short circuit. If the household branch circuit breaker or fuse does not interrupt (trip) the circuit, the short circuit could create a fire, thermal burn, or electric shock hazard for anyone nearby or for anyone holding the product or its power cord. The Candoliers which have been improperly wired will continue to work but may present an electric shock hazard.

Even if you have used your Candolier without it short-circuiting, you should discontinue use and return the product to any Kmart to prevent potential injury. All Candoliers sold during the 1992 holiday season are being recalled.

Kmart reported two incidents to CPSC of Candoliers failing. Both incidents involved three-light Candoliers. One incident resulted in slight burns to a consumer's hand when the cord caught fire.

Remedy:

Consumers should discontinue use and return the product to any Kmart store for a full refund or replacement.

Incidents/Injuries:

Kmart reported two incidents to CPSC of Candoliers failing. Both incidents involved three-light Candoliers. One incident resulted in slight burns to a consumer's hand when the cord caught fire.

Sold At:
Candoliers were sold at Kmart during the 1992 holiday season.Single-light Candoliers sold for $.99 each, and three-light Candoliers sold for$4.59 each.
Recall number:
94-015

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

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