Patriot Missile Launcher fireworks devices
CPSC Recall #91-103 - July 31, 1991
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 91-103 |
| Recall Date | July 31, 1991 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 11,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| The fireworks devices were sold in a variety of retail stores and fireworks stands nationwide from February through mid- July 1991 at a retail price of about $18 to $29 per four-shot device. |
Product
Patriot Missile Launcher fireworks devices
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Patriot Fireworks, Inc., Elkton, MD is voluntarily recalling approximately 11,000 Patriot Missile Launcher fireworks devices. The device shoots four flaming balls approximately 200 feet into the air. It may tip over while operating, particularly when placed on an uneven surface, and fire shots horizontally at ground level which pose a hazard to spectators. The CPSC learned of the potential hazard as a result of a report from a retailer of the device and from investigating a death of a three-year-old boy in the State of Kentucky. The young boy allegedly was struck in the head with a ball from a Patriot Missile Launcher which reportedly tipped over while firing. The device consists of four two-inch diameter cardboard tubes approximately 10 inches long, glued vertically onto a seven and one-half inch square particle board base, and encased within a paper wrapping. The paper wrapping is white with red and blue printing and a picture on the front of a Colonial soldier against an American flag encircled by stars. The words "PATRIOT MISSILE LAUNCHER," also appear on the front of the label in large red, white, and blue print. On one side panel, the label reads in part, "PATRIOT Fireworks Elkton, Maryland 21922." The fireworks devices were sold in a variety of retail stores and fireworks stands nationwide from February through mid- July 1991 at a retail price of about $18 to $29 per four-shot device. Consumers are urged not to use these devices and to return them immediately to the store where purchased for a full refund. In the event the device was purchased from a temporary fireworks stand no longer operating, consumers should call Patriot Fireworks collect at 1-301-287-2365 for instructions on disposing of the device and obtaining a refund. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to help reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths that occur each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products within CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
The device shoots four flaming balls approximately 200 feet into the air. It may tip over while operating, particularly when placed on an uneven surface, and fire shots horizontally at ground level which pose a hazard to spectators.
Incidents & Injuries
The CPSC learned of the potential hazard as a result of a report from a retailer of the device and from investigating a death of a three-year-old boy in the State of Kentucky. The young boy allegedly was struck in the head with a ball from a Patriot Missile Launcher which reportedly tipped over while firing.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are urged not to use these devices and to return them immediately to the store where purchased for a full refund. In the event the device was purchased from a temporary fireworks stand no longer operating, consumers should call Patriot Fireworks collect.
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.