Sears Plug-In Light Controls For Automatic Garage Door Openers Recalled

PRODUCT: Approximately 6,000 Sears Plug-In Light Controls manufactured by The Chamberlain Group, Inc. Only models with a gray antenna wire that were sold between September 1992 and January 1993 and have the number "53774" printed on the front right hand corner of the package and the number "139.53774" printed on the back of the light control are affected.

PROBLEM: The Light Control's antenna may be miswired, presenting a shock hazard.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers with affected Light Controls should immediately unplug them, being careful not to touch the tip of the antenna wire. Consumers may return the Light Controls to the nearest Sears store for exchange or refund. Questions about the recall may be directed to Chamberlain toll-free at 1-800-528-0010.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Certain Plug-In Light Controls used with some Sears garage door openers are being recalled because of a potential electric shock hazard. The light control, an accessory for certain automatic garage door openers, was sold by Sears and manufactured by The Chamberlain Group, Inc. of Elmhurst, IL.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Chamberlain is voluntarily contacting customers who bought Sears brand Plug-In Light Controls between September 1992 and January 1993. Some of these Plug-In Light Controls may have a miswired antenna, which presents a shock hazard if the tip of the antenna is touched.

To date, Chamberlain has no reports of shock due to this problem. During a routine quality audit inspection by the firm, a miswired antenna was discovered.

The Plug-In Light Controls were sold separately from garage door openers. Approximately 6,000 Light Controls were sold by Sears between September 1992 and January 1993. The Light Controls sold for $19.99 each and came in a package that read "Sears Plug-In Light Control." The model number "53774" appears on the front right-hand corner of the package.

The Plug-In Light Controls are intended to be used with certain model Sears garage door openers; they allow users to activate a light in their home with the garage door opener remote control.

Chamberlain is sending letters to more than 3,000 consumers who are known to have purchased the Plug-In Light Controls. If consumers have not received a letter, but own a Plug-In Light Control, they should check their Light Control. If the Light Control has a gray antenna wire, immediately unplug it, being careful not to touch the tip of the antenna wire, and return it to the nearest Sears store for exchange or refund. Questions about the recall may be directed to Chamberlain, toll-free at 1-800-528-0010.

Only Light Controls with a gray antenna wire, model "53774" (appears as "139.53774" on the back of the Control) that were sold between September 1992 and January 1993 are affected by this recall. No Light Controls sold before September 1992 or after January 1993 are involved. Light Controls with a white antenna wire are not involved in this recall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

Consumers with affected Light Controls should immediately unplug them, being careful not to touch the tip of the antenna wire. Consumers may return the Light Controls to the nearest Sears store for exchange or refund.

To date, Chamberlain has no reports of shock due to this problem.