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KER-BANGERS (Clacker Balls Toy)

CPSC Recall #85-065 - December 9, 1985

Recall Summary

Recall Number85-065
Recall DateDecember 9, 1985
Remedy TypeDispose

Product

KER-BANGERS (Clacker Balls Toy)

Description

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that on December 6, the United States Marshal's Office in Phoenix, Arizona seized almost 4,600 banned "clacker ball" toys. The toys, labeled "KER-BANGERS," are a hand-held novelty item consisting of two plastic balls connected by a cord to a plastic handle. When the hand is raised and lowered, the balls "clack" or bang against each other in an arc. Despite the claim on the package that the "KER-BANGERS" are "SHATTERPROOF," when the Consumer Product Safety Commission tested these toys, the balls either shattered or cracked. In addition, many of the handles broke. Consumers who have "KER-BANGERS" should promptly throw them away. The toys were the seized at the premises of a wholesaler, Empire Novelty & Concession Supply, Inc. 2213 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona. Empire Novelty is voluntarily recalling the toys from its customers, who are retailers. The "KER-BANGERS" were shipped from California and, according to the label, were manufactured by Chuck Howard Toy Co. of Inglewood, California. The manufacturer is no longer in business. Clacker balls were a popular toy in the early 1970's. To prevent injuries from fragmentation of the balls or from propulsion of the parts upon sudden disassembly during use, they are subject to a regulation enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which requires them to pass specific durability tests.

Hazard

Despite the claim on the package that the "KER-BANGERS" are "SHATTERPROOF," when the Consumer Product Safety Commission tested these toys, the balls either shattered or cracked. In addition, many of the handles broke.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who have "KER-BANGERS" should promptly throw them away.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose 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 (Dispose) 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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