CPSC, Consolidated Stores Corp. Announce Power Strip Recall
Home product recall 96-104. Announced by CPSC on Apr 16, 1996.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Apr 16, 1996. 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?
April 16, 1996 Release # 96-104 WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Consolidated Stores Corp. of Columbus, Ohio, is recalling about 125,000 six-outlet power strips. The electrical wiring in the power strip cord could overheat and possibly cause a fire. In addition, the poor quality and construction of the power strip poses an electrocution hazard for consumers.While no injuries have been associated with the use of the power strips, Consolidated Stores is aware of two reports of tools that were damaged after being plugged into a power strip. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.The beige metal power strips, item 81488, measure 12 inches long, 2.25 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep. The power strips have six black receptacles, a red on/off indicator switch, and a black cord. They were packaged in a blue box labeled in part, “FULL SURGE 6 OUTLET POWER STRIP ... 6 RECEPTACLES. CIRCUIT BREAKER. 5 FT CORD ... 15 AMPS MAX.” The back of the box is labeled in part: “SURGE PROTECTED 6-OUTLET CENTER ... SAFETY GUARD ... MADE IN CHINA UNION FIELD INDUSTRIES LTD CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91789 ... UPC code 0 83726 81488 5.” There are no identifying markings or labels on the power strips.Odd Lots, Big Lots, and All For One retail stores in the East, South, and Midwest sold the power strips from May 1995 to December 1995 for about $5 each. Consumers should stop using the power strips immediately and return them to an Odd Lots, Big Lots, or All For One store for a full refund or exchange. For more information, consumers should call Michael Schlonsky at Consolidated Stores Corp. at (800) 877-1253, extension 6807
Consolidated Stores’ six-outlet surge protected power strips.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Numbers to check against yours
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UPC
083726814885
Copied exactly as CPSC lists them.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Union Field Industries.
- Made by All For One.
- Made by Big Lots.
- Made by Odd Lots.
- Made by Consolidated Stores.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
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 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.