Recall: Extension Cords & Cord Reels Recalled by Woods

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2000 Release # 01-006

Woods Recall Hotline: (888) 755-6535 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 Company Media Contact: Tom Gawlik, (317) 814-7011

CPSC, Woods Industries Announce Recall of Extension Cords and Cord Reels

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woods Industries Inc., of Carmel, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 500,000 outdoor extension cords and 19,000 cord reels. The extension cords and cord reels are equipped with a locking plug, which is designed to keep tools plugged in. The plastic housing of the locking plug can separate or break, exposing consumers to live wires and posing shock and electrocution hazards.

Woods Industries has received three reports of the plug housing separating or breaking. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled extension cords and cord reels are equipped with a LockJaw™ locking plug. The LockJaw™ plug has the following words embedded on the red, green or yellow locking button, located on the side of the plug, "LOCK, WOODS®, OPEN" or "LOCK, OPEN". The extension cords were sold under the "Woods LockJaw™" and "Yellow Jacket® LockJaw™" brand names in various wire gauges, lengths and colors. The cord reels are 30 feet long, were sold under the "Woods' ACDelco" and "LumaPro" brand names in various wire gauges and colors. Some of the extension cords and cord reels have two-prong plugs and some have three- prong plugs. Some have the brand name on the cord. They are UL listed, assembled in the United States or Malaysia with a LockJaw™ plug made in China.

Home and hardware stores nationwide sold the extension cords and cord reels from January 1996 through July 2000 for between $12 to $35.

Consumers should stop using the extension cords and cord reels immediately and call Woods Industries toll-free at (888) 755-6535 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST to receive a replacement extension cord or cord reel.

Extension cords and cord reels equipped with a gray locking button on the side of the LockJaw™ plug are not recalled.