Recall: GE Spacemaker Radio Cassette Players Recalled by Thomson Consumer Electronics

Note: Firm telephone number and address change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued February 3, 1999, Last revised March 20, 2008 Release # 99-056

Company Phone Number: (866) 670-4844 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 Thompson Contact: David Arland, (317) 587-4450

CPSC, Thomson Consumer Electronics Announce Recall of GE Brand Spacemaker Radio Cassette Players

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 424,000 GE Spacemaker radio cassette players. The unit has an appliance outlet that can overheat, presenting a fire hazard to consumers.

Thomson Consumer Electronics has received three reports of appliance outlets on the units overheating and catching fire, causing minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Only units with model number 7-4285 are involved in this recall. The model number is located on the top of the unit and may or may not be followed by a letter. The unit is designed for under-the-cabinet use and consists of an AM/FM stereo cassette player, a light and a programmable appliance outlet, which allows for a timer to control the power to the outlet. The appliance outlet is located on the left side of the unit. "GE Spacemaker...AM/FM Stereo Cassette Player...Programmable Appliance Outlet" is on the front of the unit. The control panel is black and is located on the front of the unit between the two speakers.

Department, electronic and discount stores nationwide sold the units from January 1992 through December 1995 for about $50 to $80.

Consumers should unplug the units immediately and call Thomson at (866) 670-4844 anytime for instructions on receiving a free replacement unit. Consumers also can contact Thomson at www.home-electronics.net/recall or at Thomson Inc., Spacemaker Recall, P.O. Box 1490, Durant, OK 74702-1490.

No other Spacemaker models are involved in this recall.