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"Ghostblasters" noise-making toys

CPSC Recall #89-067 - July 13, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-067
Recall DateJuly 13, 1989
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 2.8 million

Where It Was Sold

Ghostblasters were distributed at Hardee's restaurants as a promotional tie-in with the Ghostbusters movie.

Product

"Ghostblasters" noise-making toys

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. announced today that it is voluntarily recalling a promotional item called "Ghostblasters" which was distributed in the chain's 3,100 restaurants as a promotional tie-in with the Ghostbusters movie. The premium is being recalled because it contains small parts that may be swallowed by children if dislodged from the unit. Ghostblasters are noisemaking toys that come in four different colors – red, black, gray and white – and have a picture of the Ghostbusters logo on one side. The Ghostblasters are approximately 3 inches x 1 1/4 inches x 1/2 inch in size with two black rectangular buttons at one end. Each button, when pressed, causes the toy to make a different noise. Ghostblasters were distributed starting June 26th and the promotion was scheduled to end July 23rd. Approximately 2.8 million Ghostblasters were sold with a designated food purchase. Hardee's has initiated the recall after listening to its consumers. While at least 15 reports have been received of children ingesting the small batteries, neither Hardee's nor the Commission is aware of any serious injuries resulting. The company is taking immediate steps to remove all remaining Ghostblasters from its restaurants and to recall previously sold blasters. Hardee's and the CPSC advise consumers who have Ghostblasters in their homes to take them away from children under three years of age and return them to a Hardee's restaurant for a full refund of the purchase price. Consumers with questions may write Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., Public Affairs Department, P.O. Box 1619, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27802-1619 or call toll-free 1-800-346-2243. For media inquiries, call Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., Public Affairs Department at (919) 977-8519.

Hazard

The premium is being recalled because it contains small parts that may be swallowed by children if dislodged from the unit.

Incidents & Injuries

Hardee's has initiated the recall after listening to its consumers. While at least 15 reports have been received of children ingesting the small batteries, neither Hardee's nor the Commission is aware of any serious injuries resulting.

Remedy Instructions

Hardee's and the CPSC advise consumers who have Ghostblasters in their homes to take them away from children under three years of age and return them to a Hardee's restaurant for a full refund of the purchase price.

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.

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.

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