Potentially shocking DIY books recalled

Oxmoor House Wiring Books Recall warns of faulty diagrams, electrical wiring errors, and fire or shock hazards; Health Canada and the CPSC advise stopping use, returning Sunset and Lowe's titles, and seeking refunds.

It is a recipe for a do-it-yourself disaster.

Oxmoor House Inc. is recalling more than 52,000 copies of nine home improvement books sold in Canada containing directions that could lead buyers to incorrectly install and repair electrical wiring, which can be especially risky in older homes due to legacy wiring practices.

Errors in diagrams and instructions could lead to an "electrical shock or fire hazard," according to release sent out by the U.S. publisher, and it mirrors concerns that electrical safety ignorance puts many at risk elsewhere as well. The release said there have not been any reported, "incidents, injuries, or property damage," associated with the faulty instructions. Some of the books have been in circulation for more than 30 years.

"If you connect electrical installation incorrectly you have risk of fire," said Ted Olechna, provincial code engineer with the Electrical Safety Authority, emphasizing the need to respect your power source at all times.

He said the ESA was informed of the recall by Health Canada January 8 and has requested more specific information on the incorrect information from the publisher but has yet to receive it.

In an email, a spokesperson for Oxmoor House said the books were sold in "home and garden stores, retailers and (by) booksellers," but did not provide specific locations.

Three of the books were sold at Lowe's Canada stores; Lowe's Complete Home Wiring, Sunset You Can Build - Wiring and Lowe's Complete Home Improvement and Repair.

Lowe's said Oxmoor House requested the books be pulled off the shelves in late November and early December last year.

Home Depot confirmed the books were not sold at the popular home renovation store.

Rona did carry one of the recalled books, but said no copies had been sold and the book was no longer on the shelves.

Olechna said everyone undertaking electrical work in Ontario, save for a few minor exemptions, needs to apply to the ESA for a permit no more than two days after they begin the work. Licensed electrical contractors are allowed to replace certain types of outlets in residential dwellings without a permit, he said, but homeowners should check for ULC or CSA tags on any devices they use.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a voluntary recall for more than 950,000 copies of the books across the U.S. The consumer safety website said the books were sold across the U.S. from January 1975 through December 2009, a period that saw 2009 Canadian Electrical Code changes to align with its U.S. counterpart, and cost between $13 (US) and $35.

The title of the books containing the faulty instructions are, AmeriSpec Home Repair Handbook, Lowe's Complete Home Improvement and Repair, Lowe's Complete Home Wiring, Sunset Basic Home Repairs, Sunset Complete Home Wiring, Sunset Complete Patio Book, Sunset Home Repair Handbook, Sunset Water Gardens, and Sunset You Can Build - Wiring, many of which predate safer outlet requirements now in the code.

Olechna said if the ESA receives information that demonstrates the installation or repair suggestions in the books could pose a serious risk to Canadian consumers they would issue further warnings to the public, including guidance on electrical safety during a flood when applicable.

Oxmoor House is instructing people to stop using the books and return them to the publisher for a full refund.

For more details contact Oxmoor House at 1-866-696-7602 or go to www.sunsetrecall.com.

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