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GL-X200™ Estes Air™ Powered Rocket Systems

CPSC Recall #02-142 — April 17, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-142
Recall DateApril 17, 2002
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 140,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Department stores nationwide
including Wal-Mart
Toys R Us and Zany Brainy
as well as e-businesses
catalogers and hobby shops sold these rockets from February 2001 through February 2002 for between $20 and $40.

Product

GL-X200™ Estes Air™ Powered Rocket Systems

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Estes Industries, of Penrose, Colo., is voluntarily recalling about 140,000 Air Powered Rockets. The rockets' foam tips can break off exposing sharp edges that can cause face lacerations or eye injuries to consumers. The rocket systems also have weak pump handles that can break during use, posing a risk of hand lacerations to consumers.Estes and CPSC have received 16 reports of rocket tips breaking off. Six children were struck in the face by the rockets, including two children who suffered detached retinas and four children who suffered lacerations that required stitches or sutures. There were 68 reports of broken pump handles, including six hand lacerations.The blue, yellow and black GL-X200™ Estes Air™ Powered Rocket Systems contains two blue rockets with yellow foam tips and are recommended for children 8 years of age and older. "ESTES AIR" is printed in black and white lettering in a 6-inch wide yellow oval on the front of the pump. Underneath the pump appear the words, "Made in China."Department stores nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Zany Brainy, as well as e-businesses, catalogers and hobby shops sold these rockets from February 2001 through February 2002 for between $20 and $40.Consumers should stop using the air rockets immediately and call Estes Industries toll free at (800) 576-5811 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT for information on how to get a replacement rocket. For more information, consumers can log on to the company's website at www.estesrockets.com. Rocket pumps that have a label that reads, "WARNING: Stay away from rocket when pumping and launching" are not included in this recall.

Hazard

The rocket systems also have weak pump handles that can break during use, posing a risk of hand lacerations to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Estes and CPSC have received 16 reports of rocket tips breaking off. Six children were struck in the face by the rockets, including two children who suffered detached retinas and four children who suffered lacerations that required stitches or sutures. There were 68 reports of broken pump handles, including six hand lacerations.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the air rockets immediately and call Estes Industries toll free at (800) 576-5811 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT for information on how to get a replacement rocket.

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.

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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.

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