Christmas Lights Recalled for Potential Health Hazard

12/4/03 WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Koto Industrial of Taipei, Taiwan, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced a recall of more than a million "string-to-string" miniature Christmas light sets because of an error contained in a health warning on the exterior packaging. The warning reads: “The coated electrical wire of this product contains lead, a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm -- please lick hands thoroughly after handling.” Lee Chin Bao, a spokesperson for the company, said that consumers should wash, not lick, their hands thoroughly after handling. He added that consumers should never, as a general rule, lick their hands thoroughly.

The lights are being sold at Eckerd, Kmart, Revco, Walmart and other retail stores nationwide.