RADEVORMWALD, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the interests of consumer protection, Gira Giersiepen GmbH & Co. KG (Gira), one of the leading full-range suppliers of electrical installation technology and building systems technology worldwide, recalls a part of their socket outlets with increased contact protection ('child protection'). Customer complaints, followed by an internal investigation, showed that socket outlet covers with increased contact protection distributed in the period between 01.01.2015 and 26.01.2016 may have a manufacturing defect. In some cases, the mechanical device in the cover – the shutter – of the affected socket outlets may not automatically close as intended. With improper use of the socket outlet – e.g. when a child inserts conductive materials into the socket outlet – this fault may lead to an electric shock which can potentially result in serious or even life-threatening injuries. To reduce any potential risk, parents and adults should ensure that children stay away from the socket outlets and inform all persons in the household that the increased contact protection of the covers may not function.

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Safety is top priority

So far there has been no event of injury caused by socket outlet covers with increased contact protection ('child protection') which have been sold by Gira without complaint in their millions in numerous countries. As Gira places top priority in the safety of all products, the long-established company, headquartered in Radevormwald, Germany, acted immediately, and in close cooperation with the regulatory authorities decided on a public recall of the affected socket outlet covers. In the process of the product recall, all measures are implemented step by step and the affected batches already distributed to electrical wholesalers, electrical contractors and end customers are being collected to eliminate any potential risk. For this purpose, Gira is reaching out to the public in newspaper advertisements, posters at retailers as well as providing information online and in social networks.

Free replacements by electrical contractors

End customers are to approach their electrician or electrical equipment dealer if they have purchased affected products in the specified time period and/or such products have been installed in their building. Electrical equipment dealers and numerous electrical contractors can inform end customers whether their covers are affected and need to be replaced. In such cases, the electrician will replace the cover free of charge with a new plastic cover offering fully functional increased contact protection ('child protection'). As an alternative he can install a socket outlet protector ('plugin') to ensure increased contact protection. Changing the socket outlet covers can be carried out quickly and easily, but can only be done by a professional electrician. Gira expressly advises that end customers should under no circumstances attempt to change the socket covers themselves.

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• Gira offers its entire range of training courses covering the various fields of building technology at www.akademie.gira.de. Master electricians receive a personal consultation in this regard relating to both face-to-face and online seminars, as well as to the Academy’s online distance learning courses. Gira Academy: Tel.: +49 21 95 602 171.
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Free hotline

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In order to quickly answer customer's questions, Gira has established a free hotline depending on the country. Further information can be found on the Gira website.

Only a limited number of socket outlets with increased contact protection ('child protection') is affected

The company Gira stresses that by no means all Gira socket outlets with increased contact protection ('child protection') are affected. The potential fault occurs only in batches manufactured during clearly defined production periods, accounting for less than 4 percent of the annual production of covers with increased contact protection. Furthermore, the socket outlets themselves are not affected, but only the 'shutter' inside the covers. This means: The power supply from the sockets is not affected. The socket outlets are fully functional and, with correct use, offer the same standard contact protection as in any other conventional socket outlet. They can therefore be used as before. Merely the increased contact protection ('child protection') is potentially non-functional. In previous years, the socket outlets with increased contact protection have repeatedly been tested and certified by independent testing institutes as to their compliance with the applicable standards and safety regulations.

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About Gira

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Gira Giersiepen GmbH & Co. KG (www.gira.de) is one of the leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system solutions for electronic and networked digital building management. Founded in 1905, the family-run company, headquartered in Radevormwald, Germany, has shaped and influenced the world of electrical installations and intelligent building control with numerous inventions for 111 years. Right from the start, Gira with its many innovations, such as the Gira HomeServer, has been one of the most influential players in the development of the networked 'smart home' and in the digitalisation of buildings. Gira products and solutions stand for German engineering skills, for reliable 'Made in Germany' quality, for sustainable production and operation, for perfection of form and function – but above all they stand for making people's lives a little easier, more comfortable and safer. It is no coincidence that Gira switches, control, communication, multimedia and safety systems are now used in more than 40 countries, such as in Berlin's central train station, in Kiev's Olympic Stadium and in the Banyan Tree Hotel in Shanghai. Thanks to its extensive expertise in the field of plastics technology, Gira has also become an internationally sought-after manufacturer of complex plastic systems products in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. With more than 1,200 employees, the technology company is one of the largest employers in the German Bergische Land region.

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