Power Strip Surge Protectors Recalled by First Choice Products
Home product recall 98-168. Announced by CPSC on Sep 14, 1998.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Sep 14, 1998. 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?
Power Strip Surge Protectors Recalled by First Choice Products NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 1998 Release # 98-168 Company Phone Number: (800) 644-8277 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Mark Ross, (301) 504-7076 CPSC, First Choice Products Inc. Announce Recall of Power Strip Surge Protectors WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), First Choice Products Inc., of City of Industry, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 194,200 power strip surge protectors. The power strips have undersized, cracked or corroded wiring and misaligned plugs, which present fire, shock and electrocution hazards. CPSC and First Choice Products Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these power strips. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. There are two models of power strips being recalled. Both models have six outlets, and there is no significant labeling on either power strip. One model is made of cream-colored plastic, is 4 feet long, and has black outlets and a black power cord. This model was sold in a striped black and silver box labeled in part, “6-OUTLET POWER STRIP...MADE IN CHINA.” The other model is made of cream-colored plastic, is 4 feet long, and has flush, cream-colored outlets and a black power cord. This model was sold in a black, blue and orange box labeled in part, “6-OUTLET POWER STRIP...MADE IN CHINA.” Small independent hardware, salvage, specialty, discount and surplus stores sold the power strips from March 1995 through July 1998 for about $2. The power strip in the striped black and silver box was sold nationwide. The power strip in the black, blue and orange box was sold in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois and Texas. Consumers should stop using the power strips immediately, and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call First Choice Products Inc. at (800) 644-8277 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.
First Choice power strip surge protectors.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by First Choice Products.
- 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 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.