NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC, The First Years Inc. Announce Recall to Replace "Elmo Nitelights"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The First Years Inc., of Avon, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 123,000 "Elmo Nitelights." The faceplate on these nightlights can be broken off, exposing wiring and posing shock and electrocution hazards.

CPSC and The First Years have received three reports of the faceplates on these nightlights breaking off resulting in two 1-year-old girls and an adult receiving an electrical shock when touching the exposed wires.

The "Elmo Nitelight" shows the Sesame Street character Elmo, who is red, hanging onto a green lamp post set on a blue background. A moon and stars surround the light part of the lamp post, which illuminates when the light is plugged in. It measures 4.25 inches long by 2.75 inches wide and fits over the entire standard outlet coverplate. "Henson" and "the first years" are imprinted on the back of the nightlights. The cardboard packaging shows a picture of the Sesame Street character Big Bird, and includes the writing, "SESAME STREET" and "nitelight."

Discount, drug, grocery and toy stores sold these nightlights from July 1997 through March 2000 for between $5 and $6.

Consumers should immediately remove the "Elmo Nitelights" from their sockets and throw them away. If wires are exposed, turn off the power before removing. Consumers should contact The First Years to receive a free replacement nightlight at (800) 533-6708 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers also can write to The First Years, One Kiddie Drive, Avon, MA, 02322-1171.