May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers that, unlike a fake purse or watch, counterfeit electrical products could pose the risk of injury or death. Counterfeit circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights can cause fires, explosions, shocks and electrocutions.
CPSC has recalled more than one million counterfeit electrical products in recent years, including circuit breakers that did not trip when overloaded; cell phone batteries without a safety device in the circuitry to prevent overcharging; and extension cords with mislabeled, undersized wiring that overheated.
Counterfeits can be extremely difficult to spot. A counterfeit electrical product could be a knock-off of a name brand product or one that bears an unauthorized certification marking. CPSC offers the following tips to help avoid counterfeit hazards:
Scrutinize the product, the packaging and the labeling. Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the manufacturer’s label. Trademarked logos that look different than usual may signal a counterfeit.
Trust your instincts. If the price is “too good to be true,” it could be because the product is an inferior and unsafe counterfeit.
Be extra vigilant when buying from an unknown source such as a street vendor, non-authorized dealer, dollar store, online retailer or an individual. Ask about the return policy. Get a receipt and look for missing sales tax. Businesses selling counterfeit goods often don’t report their sales.
Stay informed. Sign up for CPSC e-mail alerts, so when a dangerous product is recalled, you’ll know about it right away.
Report safety-related incidents to the manufacturer or CPSC.
In recall news, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, CPSC and Evenflo has announced the recall of about 450,000 Evenflo Embrace infant car seat/carriers.
When used as an infant carrier, the handle can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to rotate forward. When this happens, an infant inside the carrier can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.
Evenflo has received 679 reports of the handle on the car seat/carriers unexpectedly releasing, resulting in 160 injuries to children. These reports include a skull fracture, two concussions, cuts, scrapes and bruises.
The recall involves Evenflo Embrace™ Infant Car Seat/Carriers made before April 8, 2006. The recalled car seat/carriers have model numbers beginning with 317, 320, 397, 398, 540, 548, 549, 550, 556, 597, 598 or 599. Contact Evenflo to see if your car seat/carrier is included in this recall.
They were sold at Department and juvenile products stores nationwide from December 2004 through September 2006 for between $70 and $100 when sold alone and between $140 and $200 when sold with a compatible stroller.
Consumers should not use the handle until the repair kit has been installed. The product can continue to be used as a car seat when secured in a vehicle. Contact Evenflo to receive a free repair kit that strengthens the handle latch.
For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 490-7497 or visit the recall Web site at www.embracehandle.com.
That’s it for this edition of CPSC’s weekly podcast. Subscribe to CPSC’s podcast at major podcast sites, such as iTunes. You can also find out about other recalls by visiting www.cpsc.gov. Until next time, stay safe.
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