Black And Decker Cord Adapters Recalled
Home product recall 78-070. Announced by CPSC on Aug 2, 1978.
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 Aug 2, 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?
August 2, 1978 Release # 78-070 Black And Decker Cord Adapters Recalled WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 2) -- The Black and Decker Manufacturing Co., Towson, Md., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced a voluntary recall of its no. 86-210 extension-cord adapters because of a potential shock hazard. The adapters were packaged with Black and Decker electric hedge trimmers during the spring and summer of 1978, and distributed nationwide. According to the company, less than 1,000 of the more than 200,000 adapters produced could have exposed brass electrical contacts protruding through the molded material, a condition which could cause a serious electrical shock. The adapters are orange and can be identified by the number “86-210” molded on the outside surface. The adapters are supplied as standard equipment with hedge trimmers, along with instructions for attaching the adapter to an extension cord. Consumers should immediately stop using the adapters and closely examine them for any metal showing through the outside surf ace. Adapters showing metal should be returned for free replacement to any Black and Decker Service Center, or a Black and Decker-authorized service center listed in the yellow pages. The company, which informed CPSC of the potential safety hazard on July 11,1978, sent letters providing recall instructions to all consumers who mailed in the registration card packed with the hedge trimmers. Consumers who have questions about the condition of their adapters or who need additional information can call Black and Decker collect at 301/828-2955 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. To verify the model number, call CPSC’s toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772
Black & Decker extension-cord adapters.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Black & Decker.
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
-
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.