US Consumer Product Safety Commission Warns Consumers About Amazon Extension Cords

Warnings and recalls by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) help to show that products are defective. There is no requirement that the USPC issue a recall in order to be successful in a Las Vegas product liability claim. Our product liability lawyers regularly work with safety experts who understand why the products you use malfunction and who is responsible for causing your injuries and losses. We understand the specific Nevada requirements for filing a product liability claim.

A consumer warning about extension cords and generators

On September 15, 2022, the CPSC issued a warning informing consumers that they should not buy or use specific extension cords sold by Amazon. The cords are male-to-male extension cords that could cause hazards including fire, electrocution, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Although this warning has not led to a recall by the retailer, the CPSC claims that buyers who own “male-to-male extension cords should stop using the products immediately and throw the cables in the trash.”

The CPSC website states that:

The extension cords have two male ends (a three-prong plug) and are generally used to “back-feed” electricity to a residence during a power outage by connecting a generator to an outlet in the home.

When plugged into a generator or outlet, the opposite end has live electricity posing a risk of serious shock or electrocution. Additionally, the flow of electric power in the direction reverse to that of the typical flow of power circumvents safety features of the home’s electrical system and can result in a fire.

The CPSC adds that the cords don’t comply with the relevant national safety codes, such as National Fire Protection Association 70 (NFPA 70).

The CPSC says that the cords (sold by Amazon sellers in different colors and lengths under different brands) cost between $40 and $72. The CPSC listed some of the known Amazon Standard Identification Numbers (ASINs) associated with the power cords in their warning:

• B0953LWLDN
• B095LHT5M5
• B096VT4495
• B095LRG6MH
• B0933CJG16
• B097TGQDQ6
• B097BLRDTQ
• B0953MSP65
• B0953QGLZZ

The AISN number is in the product’s URL, “after the product name and “dp.”  The list is not all-inclusive of all the cords that may be defective. Purchases of any of these cords can try to return the product to the seller for a refund.

A big problem with the extension cords is that the short length of some of the cords suggests the viability of using a generator near the home. The use of a generator near the home, in turn, creates the possible danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Generators and carbon monoxide poisoning

Generators are often used during power outages, such as those outages people in Florida suffered during Hurricane Ian in September 2022.

Faulty use of gas generators is dangerous. Although improper operation can cause fires and electric shock, most fatalities are due to carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can accumulate quickly in encloses spaces. If the CO level is high enough, death can occur in just a few minutes.

Entergy News recommends that:

• Generators should never be plugged into a wall outlet (called back-feeding).
• Proper extension cords should be used.
  • Generators should be placed AT LEAST 20 feet from a building, away from doors, windows and vents – including dryer vents, common in many homes. Make sure the generator has three to four feet of clear space on all sides and above it to ensure adequate ventilation.
• Property owners should install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms in their homes and businesses. The alarms should be tested often and dead batteries should be replaced.
• Opening doors and windows or using fans “will not prevent carbon monoxide build-up in your home or business.”
• In the event of carbon monoxide buildup, it’s critical to get fresh air IMMEDIATELY. You should get medical help immediately too.
• Don’t reenter buildings that have carbon monoxide buildup until the local fire department says you can safely reenter the building.
• Generator use in wet areas can cause shocks or electrocution.

Entergy News also recommends that you should NOT “fuel your generator when it is running. Spilling gas on a hot engine can cause a fire.”

What are the requirements for filing a product liability claim in Las Vegas?

Our Las Vegas product liability lawyers file usually file three types of claims when product defects cause injuries or take lives.

• A strict liability claim. This claim asserts that the product was defective when it was used – and the defect caused the accident which was a substantial factor in causing your injuries. Products can be defective if the design is defective, the workmanship is defective, the instructions are not clear, or warnings about known dangers are not included. You do not have to show negligence on the part of the manufacturer or seller of the product, only that they designed, manufactured, or sold a defective product.
• A negligence claim. This claim asserts that the company that made the product failed to follow any federal or state regulations and/or failed to follow the common safety standards for the industry that makes that type of product.
• A breach of warranty claim. This claim asserts that certain express or implied warranties about the product’s performance were breached.

The defendants may include the manufacturers and other businesses in the supply chain. All three types of claims are considered personal injury claims. Victims are entitled to damages for their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and other damages. If a loved one died due to a defective product – such as anyone who suffers deadly carbon monoxide poisoning – we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family.

At Claggett & Sykes Law Firm, we understand the unique issues involved with filing product liability claims. We’ll guide you through the claims process, starting with examining the defective extension cord or any other defective product. To assert your rights to compensation if a product harms you, call our Las Vegas product liability lawyers at 702-333-7777 or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.