Holiday Lights Recalled by Universal Distribution Center Due to Shock and Fire Hazard
Home product recall 09-140. Announced by CPSC on Mar 4, 2009.
- CPSC: stop using it
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 Mar 4, 2009. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- Stop using it what CPSC tells owners to do now (needs attention)
- About 52,000 units, as CPSC gives them
- None injuries, CPSC’s notice says
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The lights have undersized wires that can easily pull out of the plugs and light sockets becoming exposed. This poses an electric shock and fire hazard to consumers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lights and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: For additional information, call Universal Distribution Centers toll-free at (866) 343-2343 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or contact the retailer where the lights were purchased.
Which ones are recalled?
The recalled holiday lights are a string of 50 clear or multicolored bulbs. They were sold in a white and red box with the item number (CH81648 or CH81658) written on the back above the bar code.
About 52,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Holiday Ultra-Brite Lights.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Universal Distribution Center LLC, Edison, N.J.
- Discount and dollar stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut from October 2008 through December 2008 for about $2.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
None reported.
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.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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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.
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.