Fire Hazard Prompts Recall of Extension Cords, Power Strips

Howard Berger is recalling about 12,000 <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability">Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cords and Power Strips due to fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately.

The recalled Howard Berger Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cords and Power Strips were manufactured by Howard Berger Co. Inc., of Cranbury, New Jersey and were made in China, a country long associated with recalled children’s toys and products, consumer products, food, and medications, to name some. As a matter-of-fact, this is the second such recall concerning a product made in China on which we have written today alone.

The extension cords and power strips have inadequate coating material around the cords and copper conductors that are smaller than required, posing a fire hazard to consumers. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Brightway Heavy-Duty Outdoor Extension Cords and Brightway Indoor Household Extension Cords and Power Strips. Model numbers involved in the recall are R2600 through R2615 (outdoor extension cords), EE6 through EE20 (indoor extension cords), and MP6DG (power strips). “Brightway” is printed on the cords. Model numbers are printed on the product’s packaging.

The recalled Brightway Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cords and Power Strips were sold at hardware and discount stores nationwide from August 2009 through October 2009 for between $1 and $20.

In addition to urging consumers to immediately stop using the extension cords and power strips, the CPSC is advising consumers to return the recalled products to the place of purchase for a full refund. The firm can be reached via Howard Berger, toll-free at 1-800-221-6895 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday; at firm’s Web site at www.hberger.com; or by email at robertwinterstein@hberger.com.