Paperweight
CPSC Recall #02-122 — March 19, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-122 |
| Recall Date | March 19, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 165,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Dollar Tree |
| Only One Dollar |
| Only $1 |
| Dollar Express |
| and Dollar Bills retail stores nationwide sold the paperweights from August 2000 through September 2000 for about $1. |
Product
Paperweight
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 165,000 paperweights. The recalled paperweights were sold in four varieties:SHAPELENGTHINTERIORPyramid3 inches long, 3 inches wide and 3 inches highSailboats floating in blue and clear liquid or hearts floating in clear liquidPyramid with inner Heart2 1/2 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches highSailboats floating in blue and clear liquid or multicolored hearts floating in clear liquidHeart2 1/2 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches highSailboats floating in blue and clear liquid or multicolored hearts floating in clear liquidDouble Heart3 1/2 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches highSailboats floating in blue and clear liquid or multicolored hearts floating in clear liquidAll four varieties of paperweights have a label on the bases that reads, "817718*** OFSC3*** DOLLAR TREE DIST. *** MADE IN CHINA ***K's Collection."The State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection, referred this matter to CPSC.
Hazard
The paperweights can leak petroleum distillates, which can pose ingestion and flammability hazards to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores Inc. have not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the paperweights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full 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.
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.