24-shot Excalibur Reloadable Artillery Shell Kits

CPSC Recall #05-165 — May 2, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number05-165
Recall DateMay 2, 2005
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 75,000 reloadable kits
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Fireworks retailers
including display stands and tents in states permitting the sale of consumer fireworks
from Winter 2003 through Winter 2004 for about $30.

Product

24-shot Excalibur Reloadable Artillery Shell Kits

Description

These 24-shot Excalibur Reloadable Artillery Shell Kits are sold in a black box with plastic windows. The shell kits are a consumer fireworks device that consists of a black plastic launch tube and twenty-four display shells in a display box. "24 shot Excalibur Reloadable Artillery Shell Kits" and "World Class Fireworks" are written on the front of the display box. Only the model 24 shot Excalibur Reloadable Artillery Shell Kits are included in this recall.

Hazard

The aerial shells are fused, shaped, and labeled in a way that could cause consumers to unintentionally place them into the launch tube upside down, resulting in a ground-level explosion. Such an explosion can cause serious injuries to consumers in close proximity of the device.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC has confirmed one incident where a consumer inadvertently placed an Excalibur shell inside a tube upside down. No injuries were reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the fireworks immediately and return the entire device to the store where purchased for a full refund or contact Jake's Fireworks for further instructions.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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 (Refund) 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.