Telstar, working voluntarily with the CPSC, recalled over 300,000 compact fluorescent lightbulbsย sold under the Telstar and Electra brand names after one of them started a house fire. One of the lightbulbsย also apparently caused a fire in a light fixture. The lightbulbs, which were manufactured in China (duh) were sold inย discount stores in New York and New Jersey for $1 and $1.50 from Augustย through March.
Made by Telstar Products, the lightbulbs came in twoย configurationsโspiral and 3-Uโsโand were sold in packs ranging fromย 18W to 40W. The recall includes the specific model numbers and configurations (there are like 14 or more different SKUs) Consumers should obviously stop using the lightbulbs andย return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For moreย information, call Telstar Products at (888) 828-1680 or visit theย firmโs website at www.telstarpro.com.
This is just one more in a series of articles showing that compact fluorescent lightbulbs continue to be a complete and dismal failure. While they cost more than traditional lightbulbs they offer substandard amounts of light and are completely toxic when broken.
Name of Product: Light Bulbs
Units: About 317,000
Manufacturer: Telstar Products d/b/a Sprint International Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Hazard: The lightbulbs can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Telstarย Products has received two reports of fires. In one incident, the fireย was contained to the light fixture. The other reported incidentย resulted in a residential fire.
Description: Thisย recall involves energy-saving light bulbs sold under the Telstar andย Electra brand names. The bulbs were sold in two styles: spiral and theย โ3-Usโ shape. The Telstar bulbs were sold in 20 and 23 watts with modelย number LB-1020 and LB-1023 printed on the packaging. The Electra bulbsย were sold in 18, 20, 23, 26, 28, 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40 watts with modelย numbers LB-18, LB-20, LB-23, LB-26, LB-28, LB-30, LB-1018, LB-1020,ย LB-1023, LB-1026, LB-1134, LB-1136, LB-1138 and LB-1140 printed on theย packaging. โCE 110V,โ โChinaโ and the wattage number are printed on theย bulb.
Sold at: Discount stores throughout New York and New Jersey from August 2010 through March 2011 for between $1 and $1.50
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the light bulbs and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: Forย additional information, contact Telstar Products toll-free at (888)ย 828-1680 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visitย the firmโs website at www.telstarpro.com
