The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·00141·Announced 2000-07-06

Elmo Nightlights Recalled for Exposed Wiring and Shock Hazards

The First Years Inc. is recalling Sesame Street Elmo Nightlights because faceplates can break off, exposing wiring and posing shock hazards.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves significant injury reports, specifically electrical shocks to multiple individuals including infants, which aligns with the rubric criteria for Severe severity.

Plain-English summary

The First Years Inc. is recalling approximately 123,000 Sesame Street "Elmo Nightlights" due to a safety hazard. The faceplate on these nightlights can break off, which exposes the internal wiring. This condition poses a risk of electrical shock and electrocution to users.

The recalled nightlights feature the Sesame Street character Elmo hanging onto a green lamp post on a blue background. They measure 4.25 inches long by 2.75 inches wide and fit over standard outlet coverplates. The back of the nightlights is imprinted with "Henson" and "the first years," while the packaging displays Big Bird and the text "SESAME STREET" and "nitelight."

The nightlights were sold at discount, drug, grocery, and toy stores from July 1997 through March 2000 for between $5 and $6. CPSC and The First Years have received three reports of faceplates breaking off, resulting in electrical shocks to two 1-year-old girls and one adult. Consumers should immediately remove the nightlights from their sockets and throw them away. If wires are exposed, consumers should turn off the power before removing the unit. Consumers can contact The First Years at (800) 533-6708 to receive a free replacement nightlight.

The recalled product

Product
Sesame Street "Elmo Nightlights"
Affected units
123,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Same manufacturer · The First Years Inc., of Avon, Mass.

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