"Professor Wacko's Exothermic Exuberance" chemistry kits

CPSC Recall #95-052 - December 20, 1994

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-052
Recall DateDecember 20, 1994
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 5,100
Manufacturer The Wild Goose Company of Salt Lake City, Utah

Where It Was Sold

Exothermic Exuberance kits
manufactured by Wild Goose and also distributed by Carson-Dellosa Publishing of Greensboro
N.C.
sold for about $6.00 each at school supply stores and at Natural Wonders stores nationwide from September 1993 through February 1994.

Product

"Professor Wacko's Exothermic Exuberance" chemistry kits

Description

Washington, D.C. - CPSC, The Wild Goose Company of Salt Lake City, Utah, is voluntarily recalling about 5,100 "Professor Wacko's Exothermic Exuberance" chemistry kits. The chemistry kits, marketed for children ages 10 and older, demonstrate how heat and fire are generated through a chemical reaction. The kit contains (2) two-ounce bottles of glycerine and potassium permanganate. The bottles are identical, except for their labels and contents. If after use, a child or adult inadvertently switches the bottle caps, causing small portions of the chemicals to mix, an unexpected fire may result. CPSC is aware of at least two house fires that reportedly resulted from the above scenario. In addition, the kit does not have adequate warnings and directions for safe use. Exothermic Exuberance kits, manufactured by Wild Goose and also distributed by Carson-Dellosa Publishing of Greensboro, N.C., sold for about $6.00 each at school supply stores and at Natural Wonders stores nationwide from September 1993 through February 1994. Consumers should discontinue using The Professor Wacko's Exothermic Exuberance kits immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers can also contact the Wild Goose Company at (800) 373-1498 for instructions on returning the product by mail for a full refund including postage.

Hazard

The kit contains (2) two-ounce bottles of glycerine and potassium permanganate. The bottles are identical, except for their labels and contents. If after use, a child or adult inadvertently switches the bottle caps, causing small portions of the chemicals to mix, an unexpected fire may result. CPSC is aware of at least two house fires that reportedly resulted from the above scenario. In addition, the kit does not have adequate warnings and directions for safe use.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is aware of at least two house fires that reportedly resulted from the chemicals being accidentally mixed. 

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should discontinue using The Professor Wacko's Exothermic Exuberance kits immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers can also contact the Wild Goose Company at (800) 373-1498 for instructions on returning the product by mail for a full refund including postage.

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.