Splash Off Water Rockets

CPSC Recall #97-160 — July 16, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-160
Recall DateJuly 16, 1997
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedOver 67,800
ManufacturerOhio Art, Splash Off

Where It Was Sold

Toy and major retail stores nationwide sold the Splash Off Water Rockets from April 1997 through June 1997 for about $20.

Product

Splash Off Water Rockets

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ohio Art Company of Bryan, Ohio is recalling over 67,800 Splash Off Water Rockets. When being filled, the rockets can break apart under the water's pressure. Consumers can be injured seriously if they are hit by broken rocket pieces.CPSC and Ohio Art Company have received 37 reports of these rockets breaking apart while being filled, resulting in lacerations of a hand, shoulder, and forehead.The Splash Off Water Rocket is a made of red, yellow and clear plastic. The rocket measures 16 inches high and the rocket's launch pad measures 18 inches high. The words, "Splash Off" appear on the rocket's side. To launch the rocket, water from a garden hose is fed through a tube into the launch pad. When the launcher is filled with water, a launch ring is pressed down to execute lift-off.Toy and major retail stores nationwide sold the Splash Off Water Rockets from April 1997 through June 1997 for about $20.Consumers should stop using the Splash Off Water Rockets immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call Ohio Art Company at (800) 641-6226 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

When being filled, the rockets can break apart under the water's pressure. Consumers can be injured seriously if they are hit by broken rocket pieces.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Ohio Art Company have received 37 reports of these rockets breaking apart while being filled, resulting in lacerations of a hand, shoulder, and forehead.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the Splash Off Water Rockets 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.