Almost one million home improvement books have been pulled from the shelves due to "errors in the technical diagrams and wiring instructions." That's according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The publisher, Oxmoor House of Birmingham, Alabama, has acknowledged that the books contain inaccurate information that could result in electrical shock or a fire hazard. The name Oxmoor may not ring many bells, but the the names Sunset Books and Lowe's are the very recognizable public faces involved and the names that appear on most of the books.
The nine books involved in the recall and their publication dates are:
- "Sunset Basic Home Repairs" (1995, 1975)
- "Sunset Complete Home Wiring" (1999)
- "Sunset Complete Patio Book" (2006, 1998, 1990)
- "Sunset Home Repair Handbook" (1998, 1985)
- "Sunset Water Gardens" (2004)
- "Sunset You Can Build: Wiring"(2009)
- "AmeriSpec Home Repair Handbook" (2006)
- "Lowe"s Complete Home Improvement and Repair" (2005, 1999)
- "Lowe"s Complete Home Wiring" (2008)
I contributed to at least one of these books, though I did not deal with any of the wiring instructions. Neither the CPSC nor the publisher is being forthcoming about the specific nature of the misinformation. I find this reluctance to be irresponsible. Why? Well, just think about this scenario: Some previous occupant of your house did some wiring work years before you moved in. They followed the instructions given in, say, "Sunset Complete Home Wiring" to the letter, but you don't know that.
If, however, you could access some illustrations of the problem, along with instructions on how it should have been done, you could at least perform a visual inspection of the switches, receptacles and light fixtures.
Fortunately, no incidents or injuries have been reported. If you own one of these books, you should call Oxmoor (866-696-7602) or visit the special recall Web site for information on how to get a refund. If, however, you don't own the book but you do own a house that was incorrectly wired by some well-meaning DIYer, well, you're on your own.
Photo © Jeff Beneke
Comments
I remember finding the wrong info in a motorcycle repair manual-for the diodes on the volt. regualtor(rectifier)..aside from that..printed media is full of innaccuracy(mis-spelled)words seems a “Warning-Alert these days..I did not purchase a Security Camera from RadioSHACK because of the mis-spelled words on the label.
Hi Ted,
I am concerned when a consumer protection agency refuses to provide product safety information, especially when withholding the information could result in a horrific situation — destruction and death.
It’s easier –although that might be the best description of the process–today for citizens to get through the bureaucracy of the federal government. I believe this information about the books may be covered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA provides access to all records of all federal agencies in the executive branch, unless those records fall within one of nine categories of exempt information that agencies are permitted (but generally not required) to withhold. Website:
http://www.rcfp.org/fogg/index.php?
Under FOIA, the government agency must provide you the information when you make a request in writing. The agency should respond in 20 days, although an article on the website says it often takes longer. The person who requests the information must pay for copying costs. The website includes a sample request letter.
Go get ‘em, Ted.
As Jeff said, knowing the exact nature of the problem(s) in the books is crucial to understanding if you and your home are at risk. There is a big difference between “We left off the advice to shut off the breaker on one page, but it is OK on the other 49 examples” versus “The table of wire sizes says 10-gauge wire can carry 40 amps”. Most people would know better in the first example, but not necessarily in the second.
I rewired my entire house based on an older version of the recalled Sunset Home Wiring book and mine is not on the list, but I would really like to know what is wrong with the books in order to avoid problems in the future.
Maybe they left out this part:
“All but the simplest home wiring repairs should be inspected by a properly recognized Fire Underwriters (or equivalent) representative.”
Such an inspection may be the cheapest peace of mind you can find in the home improvement industry. Ask anyone whose house has been consumed by an electrical-fault fire.
Thanks for posting this invaluable information, Jeff.
~Jim
I’ll tell you why the CPSC won’t specify the exact nature of the errors in the books. 4 words. Incompetent Federal Government Employees. Since when did common sense EVER apply to ANYTHING the federal government did? This is a typical example of why so many people are dismayed at the people who are supposed to keep us safe.