Recall: Outlet Converters Recalled by General Electric

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 1998 Release # 98-096

Company Phone Number: (800) 729-4399 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, General Electric Co. Announce Recall of Outlet Converters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), General Electric Co.'s GE Lighting division of Cleveland, Ohio, is recalling about 50,000 outlet converters, also known as current taps. They convert a single electrical outlet into three outlets. The ground connector receptacles are oversized and can cause loose ground contacts. Without grounding, consumers are exposed to serious shock hazards.

GE has received one report of a loose ground plug. No injuries have been reported.

The outlet converters were sold as "GE Heavy-Duty Grounding Triple Taps." They are made of ivory, orange or green plastic and measure about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. The GE logo is imprinted on one side of the converter and "15A-125V...CURRENT TAP...MADE IN CHINA" is imprinted on the other side of the converter. A silver UL label also appears on the converter.

Retail stores nationwide sold the converters from September 1997 through January 1998 for about $3 to $4.

Consumers should stop using the recalled converters immediately and call General Electric at (800) 729-4399 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. Consumers will be instructed on how to return the product for a free replacement.