CPSC And Wayne Industries Announce Recall To Fix Signs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wayne Industries Inc. of Clanton, Ala., is voluntarily recalling over 40,000 portable electric advertising signs. The signs lack ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and could expose consumers to electric shock or electrocution.

CPSC is aware of one fatality in which a consumer was electrocuted after touching a sign which had been altered. A second consumer has claimed injuries after being shocked by the same sign.

The white signs measuring 40 inches by eight feet have a black metal frame. The signs are illuminated from inside and have a large, black arrow with yellow lights across the top. Letters can be attached to both sides of the sign. A label on the side of the sign identifies the manufacturer as Wayne Industries. The signs were sold nationwide from January 1982 to January 1995 for about $300 in warehouse clubs and various other retailers such as Sam's Warehouse Club, Warehouse Depot, and BJ's Wholesale.

Consumers who own a sign manufactured by Wayne Industries should disconnect it immediately and inspect their signs for two buttons marked "T" and "R" located underneath the small cover near the tip of the arrow. The recalled signs do not have these buttons and lack ground fault protection. Consumers should call Wayne Industries at (800) 239-9990 to obtain an attachable ground fault circuit interrupter. This recall applies only to 40 inch by 8 foot portable electric advertising signs that lack GFCI protection. Signs with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Label have GFCI protection and are not part of this recall.

CPSC recommends that all outdoor portable electric signs have GFCI protection. CPSC encourages consumers to inspect their signs for adequate ground fault protection.