The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·74005·Announced 1974-02-06

CPSC Warns of Severe Electric Shock Hazard in Mini Shadowy Stand Lamps

The CPSC warned consumers to stop using Mini Shadowy Stand Lamps due to defects that could cause fatal electric shock. Approximately 35,000 units were sold in the U.S.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defects could result in a fatal electric shock, meeting the rubric criteria for a Critical severity score due to the potential for death.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning on February 6, 1974, regarding "Rainbow Lamps," also known as "Mini Shadowy Stand" lamps. The Commission stated that the lamps contain defects which could result in a fatal electric shock. Consumers were advised to immediately discontinue use of the product.

Approximately 35,000 lamps were sold in the United States since February 1973. The products were imported from Taiwan and distributed by Greenland Studios, a subsidiary of Downe Communications, Inc. The lamps were advertised in national publications including TV Guide, Ladies Home Journal, and Parade Magazine, as well as in the "New Discoveries from Greenland" catalog. The model number 13348 appeared in some advertisements but not on the lamp or package.

The CPSC warned consumers to use extreme care when disconnecting the lamp plug from electrical outlets and to avoid touching metal objects during the process. The company has voluntarily agreed to refund the full purchase price for returned lamps, including postage, and to mail warnings and repurchase offers to known purchasers. Further importation and sales of the lamps have been halted.

The recalled product

Product
Mini Shadowy Stand Lamp Warning
Manufacturer
Downe Communications
Category
Consumer Product — Lighting
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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