December
13, 2001
Winstar International Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., is
voluntarily recalling about 9,000 strings of Christmas lights. These lights
have undersized wiring and lack over-current protection. They pose
electrocution and electric shock hazards to consumers and also are fire
hazards.
These are miniature Christmas lights
with 100 lights on each string of various colors, including green, blue, red,
yellow, purple and clear. The plug has "125V-3A" imprinted on it.
There is no other labeling on the string of lights, and no mark of an
independent testing laboratory. The packaging is a red box with a photo of a
Christmas tree on the right side and a window showing the lights inside.
Writing on the box includes, "JUEGO DE LUCES DE NAVIDAD," "100
MINIATURE LIGHTS," "FIVE-WAY FLASHER," "PRE-TESTED,"
and "ENERGY SAVER." Discount and dollar stores in New York and New
Jersey sold these Christmas lights from October 2000 through November 2001 for
about $1.
Consumers should stop using the Christmas lights immediately and return them
to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should
contact Winstar International Inc. collect at (718) 768-5172 between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.