For Immediate Release
October 31, 2001
Release # 02-032
CPSC Contact: Nychelle Fleming (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1192
Twister Lamp Recall Hotline: (800) 366-2579

CPSC, Emess Lighting Inc. and SLI Lighting Solutions Inc. Announce Recall to Repair Twister Portable Lamps

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Emess Lighting Inc. and SLI Lighting Solutions Inc. are voluntarily recalling about 480,000 Twister portable lamps and will provide consumers with an in-home repair kit. The lamp's bulb can become hot, presenting a risk of burn injuries to consumers, and the risk of fire if the bulb comes in contact with combustible materials.

Emess Lighting, SLI Lighting Solutions and CPSC have received five reports of injuries to consumers (including four burns and one laceration) and 12 reports of property damage due to the bulb coming in contact with bedding, carpeting, and upholstered furniture.

The recalled TwisterTM lamps are 38 inches tall, have a flexible neck, and Looney TunesTM or DisneyTM cartoon characters on the plastic shade. Some lamps have no cartoon characters, but have black, white, blue, green, yellow, red or purple plastic shades. A silver label near the bulb reads in part, "Caution: To Reduce the Risk of Fire Use 40 Watt MAX. Made in China."

Retail stores and catalogs nationwide sold the lamps between January 1997 and June 2001 for about $18.

Consumers should not use these lamps near bedding, carpeting, or upholstered furniture. To receive a free retrofit kit, consumers should contact the Twister Lamp Recall Hotline at (800) 366-2579 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers also can receive the repair kit by logging on the company's website at www.twisterlamp.com or writing to: Twister Lamp Recall, One Early Street, Ellwood City, PA 16117. The in-home consumer repair kit includes a wire bulb guard and enhanced safety instructions.