Hearth Record

Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers

Home product recall 09-078. Announced by CPSC on Dec 30, 2008.

  • CPSC: stop using it
CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.

The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Dec 30, 2008. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.

Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

Consumers should immediately stop using the books and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: For additional information, contact Taunton at (800) 477-8727 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site www.taunton.com

Which ones are recalled?

The recall involves the 3rd Edition of Wiring a House. The paperback book’s cover is white and yellow and has a photograph of a man wiring a panel. ISBN #978-1-56158-942-5 is printed on the back cover. Wiring Complete, Expert Advice from Start to Finish is paperback and has a green, black and white cover that shows hands wiring an electrical wall receptacle. “Taunton’s” is printed at the top. ISBN #978-1-56158-815-2 is printed on the back cover.

About 64,000 units, as CPSC gives them.

Wiring a House, 3rd Edition and Wiring Complete, Expert Advice from Start to Finish Instructional Books.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

CPSC’s photos

CPSC shows 2 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by The Taunton Press, Newtown, Conn.
  • Home improvement stores, book stores, and various other retailers nationwide from February 2008 through November 2008 for about $25.
  • Made in United States, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

None reported.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
  • The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.

    Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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