Nearly 1 million do-it-yourself books recalled due to bad advice

Nearly a million do-it-yourself home repair books sold since the 1970s -- many under the Lowe's home improvement store brand -- were recalled because of improper instructions for home wiring, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

In all, nine different books sold between 1975 and December 2009 for $13 to $35 are being recalled because following their wiring directions could lead users to get shocked or start a fire, according to a news release from the CPSC. "The books contain errors in the technical diagrams and wiring instructions that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring," the CPSC said.

A spokeswoman for the agency could not immediately answer any questions regarding the recall -- why 35 years' worth of books were being collected, what specifically was in error or why the recall was taking place now. No incidents have been reported, the CPSC said.