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"Three Stars" plastic ring caps used in toy guns

CPSC Recall #79-031 - June 28, 1979

Recall Summary

Recall Number79-031
Recall DateJune 28, 1979
Remedy TypeRefund
ImporterThe Acme Specialties Corporation, of River Grove, Illinois
Manufactured InTaiwan

Where It Was Sold

The ring caps primarily have been marketed in the Midwest by 5-and-10-cent stores
including Walgreens
and various other retailers since 1978.

Product

"Three Stars" plastic ring caps used in toy guns

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 29) -- The Acme Specialties Corporation, an importer of novelty items in River Grove, Illinois, today announced a voluntary recall of thousands of "Three Stars" plastic ring caps which may accidentally explode causing serious burns to the user. This announcement was made in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The ring caps are commonly used in toy guns to produce a loud report when the trigger is pulled. Each cap consists of a plastic disc measuring 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and 8 cap charges which are positioned within small plastic cups around the outer edge of the disc. The charges are made with a small amount of friction-sensitive pyrotechnic material which is formed into 1/8-inch pellets. According to CPSC staff and the firm, the charged pellets can accidentally fall out of their protective cups and may explode without warning, possibly resulting in serious burns to the user. In some instances, the caps fired while in children's pockets. Since mid-June this year, at least five children reportedly have received first and second-degree burns when the caps exploded unexpectedly, according to CPSC staffers. One other child reportedly was burned in February, 1979. The ring caps are sold six-to-a-set in clear plastic packages which are labeled, "Three Stars Plastic Ring Caps" and "Made in Taiwan." They primarily have been marketed in the Midwest by 5-and-10-cent stores, including Walgreens, and various other retailers since 1978. The caps are most frequently sold as a separate item. However, they often appear on display shelves near toy cap guns. Parents are advised to return all such caps immediately to the retailer for a full refund. Consumers should take extra care to avoid skin contact with the caps, and they should not carry the caps in their pockets. Anyone who is unsuccessful getting a refund may contact Lawrence Callan of Acme Specialties Corporation by calling 312-453-7121. They also may call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

Hazard

According to CPSC staff and the firm, the charged pellets can accidentally fall out of their protective cups and may explode without warning, possibly resulting in serious burns to the user. In some instances, the caps fired while in children's pockets.

Incidents & Injuries

Since mid-June this year, at least five children reportedly have received first and second-degree burns when the caps exploded unexpectedly, according to CPSC staffers. One other child reportedly was burned in February, 1979.

Remedy Instructions

Parents are advised to return all such caps immediately to the retailer for a full refund. Consumers should take extra care to avoid skin contact with the caps, and they should not carry the caps in their pockets.

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.

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.

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