The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Brightway heavy duty outdoor extension cords and Brightway indoor household extension cords and power strips.

About 12,000 units were manufactured by Howard Berger Co. Inc. of Cranbury, N.J., which is cooperating with the recall, the commission said in a statement.

The cords and strips have inadequate coating material around the cords and have copper conductors that are smaller than required, posing a fire hazard, the statement said.

It said model numbers involved in the recall are R2600 through R2615 for outdoor extension cords, EE6 through EE20 for indoor extension cords and MP6DG for power strips. "Brightway" is printed on the cords. Model numbers are printed on each product's packaging.

The cords were sold at hardware and discount stores nationwide from August through October for between $1 and $20, the statement said.

It said consumers should stop using the items and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

For more information, contact Howard Berger at 800-221-6895 between 8 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit www.hberger.com.