Amazon Product Recalled Over Potential Fire Hazard

(KMDL-FM) Back when I was a kid, my dad used to say, "They don't make things like they used to". He would usually say that as he was throwing something he had recently purchased away because it no longer worked. Fast forward to today, where I tell my kids, "they don't make things like they used to, "much like my dad, but instead of throwing stuff away, we have avenues to obtain a refund or a replacement.

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I am not sure if it's the quality of products that has gone downhill over time, or if the caliber of consumer reporting and consumer safety concerns has risen greatly. It's probably a combination of the two. And if you were to base a company's reputation based on recall notices, none of us would have anything more to do with Amazon.

Why Are So Many Products Sold on Amazon Recalled?

If you Google the question "How many Amazon products have been recalled in 2026," the AI response suggests "hundreds of thousands". But you have to put that into perspective, Amazon just sells the products, they don't make them. And they also sell millions of products, so it's no wonder the Amazon name winds up in our mouths almost every time there is a recall.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has confirmed that a popular home office product sold via Amazon is the subject of an urgent recall. The CCEI Power Strips from Middle Way Electronics are being recalled because of a potential fire hazard.

Of course, if you look at the tanglement of cords and cables most of us have in our home office or work office setups, the term "fire hazard" would come to mind anyway. But this hazard is legit. The company says the concern is most prevalent when too many items are plugged into the power strip.

The reason this power strip recall is such a concern is that the potentially defective product was sold via Amazon from April 2024 through January 2026. The cost for the power strips online ranged from $23 to $30.

The CPSC says it has received two reports of power strips sparking and melting, but no actual fires broke out. No injuries have been reported either. However, you're encouraged to discontinue use of the product if you have it.

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For a replacement product or refund, I think a refund is the way the manufacturer is most likely to handle this situation. Here's what you do. Contact Middle Way Electronics at CCCEIpowerstrips@outlook.com

How Do I Know if My Power Strip Has Been Recalled?

The CPSC Recall includes strips with 6-foot, 10-foot, and 15-foot power cords. Here are some other identifiers for the product as provided by the CPSC.

The products have a black metal enclosure that includes six plastic receptacles with individual on/off switches. The white label on the back of the power strips says: “Relocatable Power Taps. Caution: Keep children away. To reduce the risk of electric shock, use only indoors, risk of electrical shock. Do not plug into another relocatable power tap or an extension cord. Use only in a dry location. Made in China. 

If you're wondering, retailers such as Amazon keep a running list of recalled items on their website. Costco and Walmart have similar pages for consumers, too. It might be a good idea to peruse those lists from time to time, or if you're planning on making major purchases in the future.