"Ozark Trail" or "Wenzel" propane-fueled camping lanterns
CPSC Recall #02-132 — April 1, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-132 |
| Recall Date | April 1, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 290,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Wal-Mart sold the lanterns nationwide under the "Ozark Trail" label from March 1999 through August 2001 for about $18. Sporting goods |
| camping equipment |
| and other retail stores nationwide sold these lanterns under the "Wenzel" brand from January 1999 through August 2001 for between $18 and $28. |
Product
"Ozark Trail" or "Wenzel" propane-fueled camping lanterns
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C.- As Americans prepare for the camping season, they should check to see if their propane lantern is part of this recall. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wenzel Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is reminding consumers of its voluntary recall of about 290,000 propane-fueled camping lanterns with model names "Ozark Trail" or "Wenzel."Lanterns purchased after September 1, 2001 are not covered by this recall.An insufficient connection between the lantern and the propane cylinder can allow gas to escape and ignite unexpectedly, posing a potential fire and injury hazard to consumers. This hazard can occur during the lighting or normal use of the lantern.Wenzel has received 12 reports of propane gas escaping from these lanterns and igniting unexpectedly. Two consumers sustained burns to the arm and hand. One of the consumers also suffered burns to the eye. The recalled lanterns are green and silver with brass fittings, have a glass globe, and stand about 9 inches high (without the propane cylinder attached). The lanterns, when attached to the propane cylinder, sit on a green plastic base on which the model names "Ozark Trail" or "Wenzel" appear. The Ozark Trail model has a double cloth mantle for lighting and the Wenzel model has either a double or single cloth mantle. The models involved are Ozark Trail 824927 and 824928, and Wenzel 824208, 824226, 824227 and 824401, which appear on the box in which the lantern came.Wal-Mart sold the lanterns nationwide under the "Ozark Trail" label from March 1999 through August 2001 for about $18. Sporting goods, camping equipment, and other retail stores nationwide sold these lanterns under the "Wenzel" brand from January 1999 through August 2001 for between $18 and $28.Consumers with Ozark Trail or Wenzel lanterns should stop using them immediately and detach the lantern from the propane cylinder. Consumers should return only the lanterns to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers also can call Wenzel toll-free at (800) 325-8368 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday; or visit the company's website at www.wenzelco.com. Consumers with Ozark Trail lanterns also can visit Wal-Mart's website at www.walmartstores.com.The propane cylinder, which is not affected by the recall and is not distributed by Wenzel, is sold separately from the lantern. The lantern recall was originally announced on August 28, 2001.
Hazard
An insufficient connection between the lantern and the propane cylinder can allow gas to escape and ignite unexpectedly, posing a potential fire and injury hazard to consumers. This hazard can occur during the lighting or normal use of the lantern.
Incidents & Injuries
Wenzel has received 12 reports of propane gas escaping from these lanterns and igniting unexpectedly. Two consumers sustained burns to the arm and hand. One of the consumers also suffered burns to the eye.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with Ozark Trail or Wenzel lanterns should stop using them immediately and detach the lantern from the propane cylinder. Consumers should return only the lanterns to the store where purchased for a refund.
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.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
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.