Recall: Undercabinet Fluorescent Lights Recalled by GE Home Electric Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 1999 Release # 99-112

Company Phone Number: (800) 517-9602 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

CPSC, GE Home Electric Products Inc. Announce Recall of Undercabinet Fluorescent Lights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), GE Home Electric Products Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, is announcing the recall of about 9,100 undercabinet fluorescent light fixtures. These fixtures were improperly assembled and could present a serious electrical shock hazard to consumers.

CPSC and GE have not received any reports of incidents or injuries resulting from the use of these lights. This recall is being conducted to prevent injuries.

These lights are GE "Ultra Thin Line" 12-inch and 24-inch direct- wire, fluorescent, undercabinet fixtures. They are directly wired into the electrical system of the house. All the fixtures are white, and there is no writing on the outside of fixture. Before examining your fixture, turn the power off at the breaker switch. Under the plastic bulb guard, "GE Lighting" and the model number are written on a sticker. The model numbers subject to this recall are 23039, 27278, 23045 and 27281.

The Home Depot, Lowe's, Hechingers, Builders' Square, Payless Cashways and Ace Hardware and other home center and hardware stores nationwide sold these light fixtures between February 1998 and April 1999 for about $35.

Consumers should not touch these light fixtures, whether on or off, as long as the breaker switch is on. Consumers with these recalled light fixtures should call GE Home Electric Products to have a qualified electrician come to their home to replace the light fixture. For more information or to have your fixture replaced, call GE Home Electric Products at (800) 517-9602 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday.

Light fixtures plugged into wall sockets are not included in this recall.