Battlestar Galactica space vehicle toys
CPSC Recall #78-102 - December 7, 1978
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 78-102 |
| Recall Date | December 7, 1978 |
| Remedy Type | Label |
Product
Battlestar Galactica space vehicle toys
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 8) -- Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, California, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced that it has initiated a voluntary program of attaching labels on warehouse inventories of certain of its Battlestar Galactica line of space toys. The label states:"Caution: Do Not Point Or Fire Red Missiles Into Mouth Or Toward Face." The small red missiles are sold with Mattel's "Colonial Viper" (No. 25311), "Colonial Scarab" (No. 25341), "Colonial Stellar Probe" (No. 2533), and "Cylon Raider" (No. 2532) space vehicles, and each is equipped to launch the missiles.Mattel emphasizes that the products meet or exceed all existing and proposed product safety standards.The action is being taken in response to reports of three accidents involving the products. In each case, a child swallowed or aspirated a red missile, received medical treatment and was released.Mattel and the Consumer Product Safety Commission remind parents that small pieces are found in many manufacturers' toys and games intended for older children. Parents should caution children against putting small objects of any type in their mouths even in fun and should ensure that small pieces from older children's toys are kept away from younger brothers and sisters.For further information, consumers may call Mattel toll-free on 800/421-2826; California residents call collect to 213/644-2752. Letters may be addressed to Mattel, Inc. at 5150 Rosecrans Avenue, Hawthorne, California 90250.
Hazard
Mattel, Inc. has initiated a voluntary program of attaching labels on warehouse inventories of certain of its Battlestar Galactica line of space toys. The action is being taken in response to reports of three accidents involving the products. In each case, a child swallowed or aspirated a red missile, received medical treatment and was released.
Incidents & Injuries
The action is being taken in response to reports of three accidents involving the products. In each case, a child swallowed or aspirated a red missile, received medical treatment and was released.
Remedy Instructions
Mattel has initiated a voluntary program of attaching labels on warehouse inventories of its Battlestar Galactica line of space toys. The label states: "Caution: Do Not Point Or Fire Red Missiles Into Mouth Or Toward Face."Mattel and the Consumer Product Safety Commission remind parents that small pieces are found in many manufacturers' toys and games intended for older children. Parents should caution children against putting small objects of any type in their mouths even in fun and should ensure that small pieces from older children's toys are kept away from younger brothers and sisters.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Label 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 (Label) 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.