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Spray string sold under the names "Crazy Ribbon" and "Crazy String"

CPSC Recall #99-167 - September 1, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-167
Recall DateSeptember 1, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 912,000
Manufactured InTaiwan

Where It Was Sold

Party and hobby stores nationwide sold the spray string from October 1996 through July 1999 for between $2 and $4.

Product

Spray string sold under the names "Crazy Ribbon" and "Crazy String"

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), three firms, Stelex Enterprises Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.; Major Import, of Whittier, Calif.; and LeSa Yang Family Ltd. of Diamond Bar, Calif., are recalling about 912,000 cans of spray string sold under the names "Crazy Ribbon" and "Crazy String." These spray strings' propellant is extremely flammable, creating a serious risk of burn injuries when sprayed near an open flame, such as birthday candles. Flammable products intended for use by children are banned by federal law.CPSC is aware of at least one report of a burn injury resulting from the use of these spray strings. An 11-year-old boy suffered serious burns during his birthday party that left permanent scars.Crazy Ribbon sprays strings of various colors, and comes in a round metal spray can about 6.5 inches high. The can is silver with a plastic cap that matches the color of the spray string. Depictions of various colored streamers cover the can. Writing on the can includes "CRAZY RIBBON" in multicolored block letters, "FOR PARTY CELEBRATION AND DECORATION," and "MADE IN TAIWAN."Crazy String also sprays strings of various colors, and comes in a round metal spray can about 6.5 inches high. The can is silver with a plastic cap that matches the color of the spray string. Depictions of various colored streamers cover the can. Writing on the can includes "CRAZY STRING," "FOR PARTY CELEBRATION AND DECORATION," and "MADE IN TAIWAN."Party and hobby stores nationwide sold the spray string from October 1996 through July 1999 for between $2 and $4.Consumers should take these spray strings away from children and stop using them immediately. It can be returned to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 anytime.Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (transcript). This is in "streaming video" format.

Hazard

These spray strings' propellant is extremely flammable, creating a serious risk of burn injuries when sprayed near an open flame, such as birthday candles. Flammable products intended for use by children are banned by federal law.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is aware of at least one report of a burn injury resulting from the use of these spray strings. An 11-year-old boy suffered serious burns during his birthday party that left permanent scars.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take these spray strings away from children and stop using them immediately. It can be returned 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.

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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 (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.

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