April 18, 2001

American Tack & Hardware Announces Recall of On/Off Switches for Rope and Cable Lights

American Tack & Hardware Co. Inc., of Monsey, N.Y., is recalling about 270,000 on/off switches sold in packages of Westek rope lights. If the rope lights are plugged in, even if the lights are not lit, the recalled switch on the power cord could allow the rope lights to remain energized. This poses a potential electric shock hazard to consumers.

Rope lights are lights inside a plastic cord used for decorative lighting. The on/off switches for the rope lights were included as an optional accessory for consumers to attach to the power cords. They consist of a rectangular white plastic box about 1¼ inch long. The box contains a wheel-type switch through the middle that rotates to turn the power on and off. The Westek "Rope Lighting Kits," which can be identified by the words "Westek" written on the plastic tube of the rope lights, were sold in 9-foot and 18-foot lengths in clear red, yellow, green, blue, and orange. The switches also were included in Westek "Power Cord Kits" designed for use with bulk rope lights. Home center stores, including Home Depot and lighting showrooms, sold these rope lights and power cord kits nationwide from April 1997 through October 2000 for about $29 to $39 for the Rope Lighting Kits and $7 to $10 for the Power Cord Kit.

Consumers should not install the power switch supplied with the Westek rope lights. If the switch is already installed, stop using the lights immediately and unplug them. Consumers that have rope lights with on/off switches installed should call American Tack & Hardware Co. Inc. toll-free at (800) 777-0801 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a free replacement power cord. Rope lights that do not have on/off switches installed or have a 1-inch red dot on the lower right front of the package are not recalled.