Telstar Light Bulb Recall Issued After Reports of Fires

About 317,000 Telstar energy-saving light bulbs have been recalled from the market after being linked to at least two fires. 

The Telstar light bulb recall was announced on May 10 by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and affects energy-saving bulbs sold under both the Telstar and Electra labels.

Telstar Products, which also does business as Sprint International Inc., has been notified that at least two fires may have been caused by the recalled light bulbs. One fire was contained to a light fixture, but the other caused a residential house fire.

The CPSC has determined that the light bulbs can overheat, potentially causing a fire hazard for consumers. The commission recommends that anyone with bulbs affected by the recall return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

The recall affects energy-saving light bulbs under the Telstar and Electra labels with both spiral and “3-Us” shapes. The Telstar light bulbs have the model numbers LB-1020 and LB-1023 on the packaging and were sold in 20 and 23 watts. The Electra light bulbs have the model numbers LB-18, LB-20, LB-23, LB-26, LB-28, LB-30, LB-1018, LB-1020, LB-1023, LB-1026, LB-1134, LB-1136, LB-1138 and LB-1140 on the packaging and were sold in 18, 20, 23, 26, 28, 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40 watts. The bulbs themselves have “CE 110V,” “China” and the wattage printed on them.

The bulbs were sold at discount stores in New York and New Jersey from August 10 through March 2011 for between $1.00 to $1.50.

Consumers with questions should call Telstar Products at 888-828-1680 or visit the company’s website at www.telstarpro.com.