This article was posted 01/15/2010 and is most likely outdated.

Home Improvement Books Recalled
 

 

Topic: Safety
Subject: Home Improvement Books Recalled

January 15, 2010
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Home Improvement Books Recalled

 

On January 8, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with publisher Oxmoor House, announced a home improvement book recall.  Nearly a million home improvement books, including books put out under the Lowe’s label, have been recalled due to faulty wiring instructions and technical diagram errors that could cause people to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring. If the instructions are followed, it could lead to electrical shocks or fires.

The books, sold at home improvement stores nationwide, include Lowe’s Complete Home Improvement and Repair and Lowe’s Complete Home Wiring. Some of the books have been used by consumers for years, dating back as far as 1975, while others were published last year.

Although no injuries have been reported in connection with the books, the CPSC warns that consumers should immediately stop using the books and contact Oxmoor House to request a full refund.

Nine home improvement titles are being recalled, which the CPSC estimates affects 951,000 books. The home improvement book recall includes the following titles:

  • AmeriSpec Home Repair Handbook, published January 2006.
  • Lowe’s Complete Home Improvement and Repair, published September 2005 and December 1999.
  • Lowe’s Complete Home Wiring, published May 2008.
  • Sunset Basic Home Repairs, published February 1995 and January 1975.
  • Sunset Complete Patio Book, published January 2006, January 1998, and April 1990.
  • Sunset Home Repair Handbook, published October 1998 and February 1985.
  • Sunset Water Gardens, published January 2004.
  • Sunset You Can Build – Wiring, published January 2009.

For more information, contact Oxmoor House at 866-696-7602 or visit the company’s website at www.sunsetrecall.com.

 

 

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Comments
  • Just goes to show you that untrained home owners should never attempt their own electrical repairs.

    David L
    Reply to this comment

  • What exactly were the wiring mistakes that caused the book recall?

    Taz
    Reply to this comment

  • I find it interesting that big box stores in my area sell Romex and similar even though I don't know any jurisdictions in the Chicagoland area that permit it's use.

    I also was looking at flexible metal conduit (looks like liquid tight type) on one of the big box stores which had absolutely NO listing or approval agency approvals on either the product or on its label.

    Jim S Nasby
    Reply to this comment

  • I had the same question as Taz. What were the errors that triggered the recall?

    I've seen at least a couple of other DIY electrical books (still on the market) that were scary in how the mangled grounding and bonding. Just begging for somebody to get hurt or worse.

    Heinz R.
    Reply to this comment

  • Another reason I say only carded educated people should work on electrical systems or have access to the material. I went to school to learn how to do it safe and dont think Joe home owner should be able to do more than change a trim plate

    Flippi
    Reply to this comment

  • The long term liability vs. small profit margin on these kind of things make them definitely not worth publishing, or at least exercising due diligence when doing so.

    Matt
    Reply to this comment

  • It's about time. The first time I looked at them I just shook my head.

    Mike
    Reply to this comment

  • Who is paying for the actual restoratrion of work done following these books instructions?

    What about the electrical engineers liability that designed big jobs using these books diagrams?

    How do I get a comparative analysis of these books instruction-diagrams vs. the way it must be done?

    Pietro
    Reply to this comment
  • Reply from: Mark   
    If an electrical engineer used any of these books to design a project they should have their license taken away. These books are not design guides or design manuals, they are intended to provide a basic knowledge of wiring. Any electrical engineer designing small or large projects had better be using better references such as the codes and standards that we have to abide by. The reference material that you are asking for is the codes and standards that provide the minimum requirements of how it must be done.
    Reply to Mark



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