Wireless Light Switch Recall Issued Due to Risk of Fires
About 1.3 million Handy Switch wireless light switches have been recalled due to reports that they may overheat or cause a fire.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Idea Village Products Corp.’s Handy Switch wireless light switch recall on Wednesday. The recall came after the company received 14 reports of the wireless light switches overheating, including nine cases where the switch burst into flames.
The Handy Switch receiver, which plugs into a wall outlet, is a white, plastic wireless remote light switch with a blue electroluminescent nightlight. The model number KS-080 will be printed on the back of the receiver.
Did You Know?
Millions of Philips CPAP Machines Recalled
Philips DreamStation, CPAP and BiPAP machines sold in recent years may pose a risk of cancer, lung damage and other injuries.
Learn MoreThe Handy Switch was sold by mass merchandisers, drug store chains, television infomercials and online across the U.S. from March 2007 through July 2009. The receivers were made in China.
The CPSC recommends that consumers immediately unplug and stop using all Handy Switch wireless light switches and contact Idea Village for information on free remedy options. Anyone who experiences an incident or injury due to the devices should contact the CPSC at https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.
10 Comments
"*" indicates required fields
BunMarch 19, 2015 at 12:52 am
If you have this get rid of it. Mine caused a fire. The light overheated, bubbled and turned into a flame. Luckily I came home from work just in time to put it out but only after it had caused a carpet burn and smoke in my office. You can only imagine the horror of coming home opening the door of the house and seeing it filled with smoke and the smoke alarms going off. I traced the smoke to my off[Show More]If you have this get rid of it. Mine caused a fire. The light overheated, bubbled and turned into a flame. Luckily I came home from work just in time to put it out but only after it had caused a carpet burn and smoke in my office. You can only imagine the horror of coming home opening the door of the house and seeing it filled with smoke and the smoke alarms going off. I traced the smoke to my office where there was a bright flame burning on the floor where the handy switch was located. Luckily I had a fire extinguisher handy. Had a come home an hour or even 30 minutes later who knew what further damage it would have caused!
TiannaDecember 28, 2014 at 11:57 pm
Just saw this after trying to see if it was available on Amazon. Guess I will be looking for another brand as well.
nikkiApril 24, 2014 at 3:47 am
wow..didnt know about this..odd mine just went out tonite, thought it was lite bulb, then noticed the nite lite out, figure maybe the battery in the wall switch needs replacing..now i see this recall..not going to get replacement..just rather purchase something else..not going to deal with this company ...glad i saw this
StephanieNovember 29, 2013 at 1:43 am
I've had my handy switch for years and use it regularly with my youngest who is afraid of the dark. Never noticed any problems with it. However recently it finally failed me and the plug no longer works at all. I would like a new one as our house has no upstairs hallway light switch at the bottom of the steps.
daveApril 10, 2012 at 12:37 am
I got 4 units with G3706 labels on the back. Are these affected too? Noticed with all that the night light works just the opposite of how it should. In other words it is lit when the lamp is on and goes out once the switch is turned off
JeffFebruary 11, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Mailed defective unit back in December, still waiting for replacement.
HermanSeptember 20, 2010 at 9:47 pm
I had a fire caused by the handy switch I was lucky i don't lose the whole house but the repairs and smoke damage totaled almost ten thousand dollars.
JoeMarch 2, 2010 at 8:40 pm
I had no problems with my plug. But dont risk it...get the free replacement handyswitchrecall.com
GeorgeFebruary 14, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I've been using the these switches for over 9 months to a year. Found them handy. Am alarmed now that they are 'blowing out' my bulbs. Suddenly a big poof and the bulbs are burnt, not the blue base. Has anyone had this problem and did'nt connect it to a faulty KS 080?
RichardOctober 24, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I have been using my handy switches for over a year now and don't want to give them up... What are the real dangers and what are my options??????