"Skippy" Pool Toys
CPSC Recall #08-065 — November 5, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 08-065 |
| Recall Date | November 5, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 31,000 |
| Manufacturer | Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Va. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Mass merchandisers and independent pool supply stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for about $10. |
Product
"Skippy" Pool Toys
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 31,000 "Skippy" Pool Toys. The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users' hands during launching of the toy.Name of Product: "Skippy" Pool ToysUnits: About 31,000Manufacturer: Swimways Corp., of Virginia Beach, Va.Hazard: The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users' hands during launching of the toy.Incidents/Injuries: Swimways has received 24 reports of the pool toy breaking during use. There were five reports of injuries to children including one requiring stitches to a child's hand. Another child's thumb nail was ripped back from the nail bed.Description: This recall involves a rubber pool toy shaped like a fish. The fish are blue, purple or green colored and measure 8 ½ inches long by 5 inches wide. A loop of elastic tubing shaped like a tongue comes out of the mouth of the fish and is used for launching the fish across the water like a slingshot. "WARNING. Do not aim at another person. Made in China" is printed on the bottom of the fish.Sold at: Mass merchandisers and independent pool supply stores nationwide from February 2007 through September 2007 for about $10.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children immediately and contact Swimways for a free replacement toy.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Swimways toll-free at (888) 559-4653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.swimways.com.
Hazard
The elastic tongue of the fish can break and forcefully come out and cut the users' hands during launching of the toy.
Incidents & Injuries
Swimways has received 24 reports of the pool toy breaking during use. There were five reports of injuries to children including one requiring stitches to a child's hand. Another child's thumb nail was ripped back from the nail bed.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should take the toy away from children immediately and contact Swimways for a free replacement toy.
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.