Firms · Recalled
CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of On/Off Switches for Rope and Cable Lights
If the rope lights are plugged in, even if the lights are not lit, the recalled switch on the power cord could allow the rope lights to remain energized. This poses a potential electric shock hazard to consumers.
- Units
- About 270,000
- Reports
- —
- Injuries
- —
- Deaths
- 0
- Price
- $7–$39
- Remedy
- See notice
Reports, injuries, deaths and price are read out of the notice’s wording by rules, so they can miss unusual phrasing. The official notice is the record.
Affected
Rope lights are lights inside a plastic cord used for decorative lighting. The on/off switches for the rope lights were included as an optional accessory for consumers to attach to the power cords. They consist of a rectangular white plastic box about 1 inch long. The box contains a wheel-type switch through the middle that rotates to turn the power on and off. The Westek "Rope Lighting Kits," which can be identified by the words "Westek" written on the plastic tube of the rope lights, were sold in 9-foot and 18-foot lengths in clear red, yellow, green, blue, and orange. The switches also were included in Westek "Power Cord Kits" designed for use with bulk rope lights.
The file
- Sold at
- Home center stores, including Home Depot and lighting showrooms, sold these rope lights and power cord kits nationwide from April 1997 through October 2000 for about $29 to $39 for the Rope Lighting Kits and $7 to $10 for the Power Cord Kit.
- Product type
- Switches
- Made in
- Not stated
- Recalled by
- American Tack & Hardware Co. Inc., of Monsey, N.Y.
Incident log
None reported.
What the notice says to do
Consumers should not install the power switch supplied with the Westek rope lights. If the switch is already installed, stop using the lights immediately and unplug them. Consumers that have rope lights with on/off switches installed should call American Tack & Hardware Co. Inc. to receive a free replacement power cord.
Consumers may call American Tack & Hardware Co. Inc. toll-free at (800) 777-0801 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Recall notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This site is independent: always confirm on the official notice before acting.
Notice first dated APR 18 2001; last revised FEB 25 2026.