227,000 LED nightlights recalled for overheating and burn hazards

LED nightlights imported from China by American Tack & Hardware Co. in Saddle Brook, N.J., are being recalled, said the Consumer Products Safety Commission. About 227,000 of the plug-in LEDs have an electrical short circuit that can cause the lights to overheat and melt, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

American Tack & Hardware, or AmerTac, has received 25 reports of the LED nightlights smoking, burning, melting and charring. And while there have been no injuries so far, the company and CPSC urge consumers to immediately stop using the recalled nightlights and unplug any of the LED lights from electric sockets.

The recalled LED nightlights were originally sold at hardware stores, home centers and lighting showrooms from March 2009 through October 2010 for about $6.

This current CPSC safety recall affects three models of AmerTac nightlights. Each has a model name and two model numbers. The basic model number appears on the back of the night light, while a secondary model number appears only on the retail packaging with the light's model name.

The nightlights are rectangular, about 2-3/16 inches high, 3-1/2 inches wide and 1-1/4 inches deep. The front housings for each are either white- or nickel-colored plastic with four horizontal vents and a round light sensor above the top vent. The backs of the night lights are gray plastic with the AmerTac logo, the basic model number, "SY" identification code and "ETL" molded into them. Only models bearing "SY" on the back are being recalled.

The recalled night lights can be identified with the following information:

Consumers should contact AmerTac for more information—including instructions on how to receive a full refund—by calling the company's toll-free phone (800-420-7511) or visiting the official websites https://www.recall-center.com/exec/index.cx or www.AmerTac.com.

LED Night Lights Recalled by AmerTac Due to Fire and Burn Hazards [CPSC]

—Paul Eng