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CPSC recall · Reported December 30, 2008

Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers

The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consu…

Recall #
09078
Affected scope
About 64,000
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
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The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn. recalled The recall involves the 3rd Edition of Wiring a House. The paperback book's cover is whit… - a moderate-severity action.

Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press;… was recalled by The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn. in December 30, 2008. Reason: The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install o…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the books and return them to the place of purchas…. Verify recall #09078 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install o….

Moderate
severity level
December 30, 2008
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #09078 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #09078) was formally reported on December 30, 2008. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 64,000.

The documented reason for this recall is: The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately stop using the books and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Household Products recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record

50100150200250 20052008201120142017202020232026 115
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 64,000

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

The recall involves the 3rd Edition of Wiring a House. The paperback book's cover is white and yellow and has a photograph of a man wiring a panel. ISBN #978-1-56158-942-5 is printed on the back cover. Wiring Complete, Expert Advice from Start to Finish is paperback and has a green, black and white cover that shows hands wiring an electrical wall receptacle. "Taunton's" is printed at the top. ISBN #978-1-56158-815-2 is printed on the back cover.

Reason for recall

The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the books and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 09078
Date reported December 30, 2008
Date initiated December 30, 2008
Recalling firm The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn.
Affected scope About 64,000
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers should immediately stop using the books and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

  • Check the recall number (09078) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The recall involves the 3rd Edition of Wiring a House. The paperback book's cover is white and yellow and has a photograph of a man wiring a panel. ISBN #978-1-56158-942-5 is printed on the back cover. Wiring Complete, Expert Advice from Start to Finish is paperback and has a green, black and white cover that shows hands wiring an electrical wall receptacle. "Taunton's" is printed at the top. ISBN #978-1-56158-815-2 is printed on the back cover.. Recalled by The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn.. Units affected: About 64,000.
Why was this product recalled?
The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately stop using the books and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on December 30, 2008. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 09078.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (09078) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported December 30, 2008. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.