Horseshoe Magnets
CPSC Recall #08-128 - December 11, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 08-128 |
| Recall Date | December 11, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 153,000 |
| Importer | United Scientific, of Waukegan, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | India |
Where It Was Sold
| Independent distributors nationwide from March 1995 through September 2007 for about $1. Distributors sold the products to schools for use in science classes. |
Product
Horseshoe Magnets
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), United Scientific, of Waukegan, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 153,000 Horseshoe Magnets. Surface paint on the magnets contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standards.Name of Product: Horseshoe MagnetsUnits: About 153,000Importer: United Scientific, of Waukegan, Ill.Hazard: Surface paint on the magnets contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standards.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: This recall involves horseshoe-shaped magnets sold in five sizes. The horseshoes have red paint on the surface of the magnet. Product numbers included in the recall are: SHM020 (two inch), SHM030 (three inch), SHM040 (four inch), SHM050 (five inch), and SHM060 (six inch).Sold by: Independent distributors nationwide from March 1995 through September 2007 for about $1. Distributors sold the products to schools for use in science classes.Manufactured in: IndiaRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these products and contact United Scientific to receive a replacement product.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact United Scientific toll-free at (888) 284-8570 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or email the firm at [email protected].
Hazard
Surface paint on the magnets contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standards.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using these products and contact United Scientific to receive a replacement product.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.