NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Christmas Lights Recalled For Potential Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Toyo Industrial, Taipei, Taiwan, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced a recall of more than a million "string-to- string" miniature Christmas light sets which may present a shock or electrocution hazard.

Strings of Christmas lights which have "TOYO" and "TP-6" imprinted on the end of the female connector, located at the end of the light set and to which other strings of lights can be attached, present the hazard. The "TP-6" connector is found on some sets of 35, 50, 70, and 100 lights, which were sold at Big Lot, Eckerd, Kmart, Odd Lot, Revco, Walmart and other retail stores nationwide.

While no injuries have been reported, it is possible for the metal contacts, which are located inside the female connector, to be pulled or pushed out when plugging and unplugging the light strings. Any exposed contacts in the connector could present a shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.

Before Christmas lights are taken down, consumers should unplug all Christmas light sets from the wall to prevent possible shock hazards. Consumers should then check all female connectors on their light strings for "TOYO" and "TP-6" markings.

Consumers who have Christmas lights with "TP-6" connectors should call Toyo toll-free at 1-800-545-8330 from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) to obtain a free shipping container to return the recalled light sets. The light sets will be repaired or replaced and returned free-of-charge by the company.

The Commission learned of this problem from Toyo, who was informed by a retailer.