Fiebing's Leather Dye Solvent

CPSC Recall #96-121 — May 7, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-121
Recall DateMay 7, 1996
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected8,000 four-fluid-ounce containers

Where It Was Sold

Tandy Leather stores and The Leather Factory stores have sold the solvent nationwide for approximately 50 years to March
1996 for approximately $1 a bottle.

Product

Fiebing's Leather Dye Solvent

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Fiebing Co. of Milwaukee, Wisc., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 four-fluid-ounce containers of Fiebing's Leather Dye Solvent. The solvent, which contains methyl alcohol, was not packaged in child-resistant packaging, and was not labeled with the necessary warnings, cautions for use, and instructions for appropriate first aid in the event of ingestion, in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Methyl alcohol is toxic and can cause serious injury or death if ingested by children. CPSC and Fiebing Co. are not aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The violation was found during an inspection of the manufacturer by CPSC. Fiebing's Leather Dye Solvent is used to thin dyes on leather items. The solvent was packaged in four-fluid-ounce bottles labeled in part "FIEBING'S LEATHER DYE SOLVENT ... FOR THINNING LEATHER DYE ... Fiebing Company, Inc. Milwaukee, WI 53204 ...".Tandy Leather stores and The Leather Factory stores have sold the solvent nationwide for approximately 50 years to March, 1996 for approximately $1 a bottle. Consumers should discontinue use of the product immediately and return the product to the retail store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers can also mail the solvent to Fiebing Co., 516 S. Second St., Box 04125, Milwaukee, WI. 53204, Attn: Dennis Kendall. For more information, consumers should call (800) 558-1033.

Hazard

The solvent, which contains methyl alcohol, was not packaged in child-resistant packaging, and was not labeled with the necessary warnings, cautions for use, and instructions for appropriate first aid in the event of ingestion, in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Methyl alcohol is toxic and can cause serious injury or death if ingested by children.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Fiebing Co. are not aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The violation was found during an inspection of the manufacturer by CPSC.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should discontinue use of the product immediately and return the product to the retail store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers can also mail the solvent to Fiebing Co., 516 S. Second St., Box 04125, Milwaukee, WI. 53204, Attn: Dennis Kendall.

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.