Auto Safety Kit, Auto Aid in a Bottle, Winter Safety Kit, and Outdoorsman in a Bottle
CPSC Recall #06-071 — January 23, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-071 |
| Recall Date | January 23, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 4,100 |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| L.L. Bean's stores |
| catalogs and Web sites sold these kits from August 2005 through November 2005 for between $20 and $60. |
Product
Auto Safety Kit, Auto Aid in a Bottle, Winter Safety Kit, and Outdoorsman in a Bottle
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), L.L. Bean, of Freeport, Maine, is voluntarily recalling about 4,100 Auto Safety Kits, Auto Aid in a Bottle kits, Winter Safety kits, and Outdoorsman in a Bottle kits. The products have a flashlight that relies on a powerful magnet and copper coil for manual recharging. The magnet adversely affects the polarity of the compass rendering it unreliable. The magnet could be powerful enough to disrupt a heart patient's Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD). The product's packaging lacks appropriate warning information.Name of Product: Auto Safety Kit, Auto Aid in a Bottle, Winter Safety Kit, and Outdoorsman in a BottleUnits: About 4,100Distributor: L.L. Bean, of Freeport, MaineHazard: The products have a flashlight that relies on a powerful magnet and copper coil for manual recharging. The magnet adversely affects the polarity of the compass rendering it unreliable. The magnet could be powerful enough to disrupt a heart patient's Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD). The product's packaging lacks appropriate warning information.Incidents/Injuries: There have been no reported incidents or injuries.Description: Each kit contains a variety of safety equipment including a "Forever Flashlight," which does not use batteries. Shaking the flashlight for 30 seconds provides about 5 minutes of light. The Outdoorsman in a Bottle kit contains a compass. Other items which could be included in the kits include gloves, a blanket, emergency vest, a water bottle, a rain poncho and a knife. L.L. Bean is written on the bottle or blanket with these kits.Sold by: L.L. Bean's stores, catalogs and Web sites sold these kits from August 2005 through November 2005 for between $20 and $60.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers with recalled kits should contact L.L. Bean immediately to receive a free warning label for the flashlight. Consumers with Outdoorsman in a Bottle kits will receive a free replacement compass/whistle.Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can contact L.L. Bean at (800) 555-9717 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm ET Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at www.llbean.com.
Hazard
The products have a flashlight that relies on a powerful magnet and copper coil for manual recharging. The magnet adversely affects the polarity of the compass rendering it unreliable. The magnet could be powerful enough to disrupt a heart patient's Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD). The product's packaging lacks appropriate warning information.
Incidents & Injuries
There have been no reported incidents or injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with recalled kits should contact L.L. Bean immediately to receive a free warning label for the flashlight. Consumers with Outdoorsman in a Bottle kits will receive a free replacement compass/whistle.
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.