Recall Of Electric Paint Removers
Home product recall 78-038. Announced by CPSC on May 22, 1978.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on May 22, 1978. 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?
Electrocution/Electric Shock
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
May 22, 1978 Release # 78-038 Recall Of Electric Paint Removers WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22) --The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Red Devil, Inc., Union, N.J., and Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, today announced a recall of electric paint removers distributed nationwide between May 1 and October 31, 1977, because of a potential shock hazard. This recall was first announced by Red Devil and Sears in November 1977. The affected model numbers are Sears 44791 and Red Devil 3401, both retailing for about $24. Red Devil and Sears electric paint removers purchased before May 1,1977, are not being recalled. Red Devil said that a defect was found in the wiring of the electric paint removers. No injuries have been reported, but sale of the paint removers has been stopped. Anyone who bought the product after May 1,1977 but before mid-November 1977 should not use it. Red Devil is recalling approximately 3,500 electric paint removers sold under its own name and distributed through hardware and paint stores. Model number 3401 is imprinted on the plastic handle and the metal housing of the removers. Close to 5,700 units sold under the Sears name are being recalled by Sears, Roebuck and Co. The Sears model number 44791 is imprinted on the plastic handle. This is the first potential hazard involving this model number in the 20 years Sears has been selling the unit, the company said. Owners of the affected Red Devil tools can mail them to: Customer Service, Red Devil, Inc., 2400 Vauxhall Rd., Union, N.Y. 07083, (201/688-6900) for repair or replacement and refund of postage. Customers who bought the affected Sears paint removers should contact their nearest Sears outlet for a full refund
Red Devil electric pain removers and Sears electric paint removers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Red Devil.
- Made by Sears.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
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.