CPSC Warns Of Severe Electric Shock Hazard In Lamp

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 6)--The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers who may have purchased a "Rainbow Lamp", also known as a "Mini Shadowy Stand" lamp, to immediately discontinue use of the product.

The Commission said the lamp-- which retails for approximately $1.98-- contains defects which could result in a fatal electric shock.

Some 35,000 lamps have been sold since February, 1973. They were advertised nationally in TV Guide, Sunday newspaper supplements, including Parade Magazine; Ladies Home Journal; and in the "New Discoveries from Greenland" catalog which was mailed to several million consumers over the last few months.

The Commission said the lamps were distributed in the United States by Greenland Studios, 4500 Northwest, 135th Street, Miami, Florida. They were imported from Taiwan and carry the model number 13348 in some of the advertisements but not on the lamp or package.

The Commission warned consumers to use "extreme care" in disconnecting the lamp plug from electrical outlets, and to avoid touching any metal objects while doing so.

The lamp is designed to cast shadows of various shapes on walls when in use and has been advertised as providing a "sensuous light show".

Consumers Union notified the Commission of the possible hazard, on February 1, 1974. The Commission immediately secured samples of the lamps and began testing.

Further importation and sales of the lamps have been halted and the Commission said the company is cooperating fully with the Commission and has voluntarily agreed to refund the full purchase price on all returns, including cost of postage. In addition, the company has agreed to make a direct mailing to known purchasers, warning them of the hazard and offering to repurchase the lamps.

In making the announcement, the Commission said it was deeply concerned by the failure of national publications to exercise "any degree of responsibility" in verifying the safety of products advertised for sale to consumers.

"We believe publications-- such as TV Guide and Ladies Home Journal-- have a special responsibility to assure that products advertised for sale do not pose unreasonable risks of injury to consumers."

Greenland Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Downe Communications, Inc., which also owns Ladies Home Journal and Family Weekly.