Fluorescent Lights Recalled by American Electric NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 1979 Release # 79-041 Fluorescent Lights Recalled WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 24) -- The American Electric Corporation, of Culver City, California, today voluntarily issued a second bulletin recalling more than 20,000 "Brite Bar" fluorescent light fixtures because of a possible electrical fire hazard. This announcement was made in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The firm had been advised by one of its two power cord suppliers that the power cord could create a risk of fire if damaged, altered or used in a manner contrary to the instructions enclosed with the unit. Since the company's first recall announcement (in April, 1978) about 40,000 of approximately 63,800 lights manufactured with the potentially defective cord have been retrieved, primarily from distributors and dealers. However, the firm and the Commission believe that additional notice will facilitate the recovery of many of those lights still in use. The product under recall is the model 9500 "Brite Bar" slim- line, fluorescent light fixture. It is 25 inches long and includes a six-foot cord which is stamped (in red) at intervals with the warning, "Caution: Do not cut or coil." Model 9500 Fixtures Which Do Not Display This Warning On The Cord Are Equipped With A New Cord Free From The Defect And Are Not Being Recalled. Safety tests conducted by CPSC engineers have revealed a design defect in the power cord, which if coiled or folded during use, may cause the insulation to melt, exposing wires which could create a fire hazard. The Commission has received reports of two instances in which the cord allegedly started fires in consumers' homes. There have been no reported injuries. The lights being recalled were manufactured from September through December, 1977, were marketed in 28 states (lis