"FIRE CAP" fire and smoke suppressant

CPSC Recall #00-064 — February 7, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-064
Recall DateFebruary 7, 2000
Remedy TypeDispose, Refund
Units AffectedMore than 136,000
ManufacturerThe Colbra Group (out of business)

Where It Was Sold

Snap-On Tools dealers
Home Shopping Network
and direct market distributors
including Mid-State Fire Systems
and Contract Filling Inc.
sold the product nationwide from February 1996 through September 1999 for about $10.

Product

"FIRE CAP" fire and smoke suppressant

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and various distributors, are announcing the recall of more than 136,000 cans of "FIRE CAP" brand fire and smoke suppressant. The product does not suppress fires and could intensify fires. The product was manufactured by The Colbra Group, which is out of business. CPSC is not aware of any incidents or injuries with this product. This recall is being conducted to help prevent injuries. The 16-ounce aerosol cans are red, orange, yellow, black and white with a red plastic cap and red aerosol button. Wording on the front of the can reads in part, "FIRE CAP...FIRE and SMOKE SUPPRESSANT." "FOR USE ON SMALL SPOT FIRES..." is on the back of the can along with drawings of the product being used on a trash can fire, a stove fire, a car fire and a camp fire. "Manufactured by the Colbra Group" is written on the back of the can. Snap-On Tools dealers, Home Shopping Network, and direct market distributors, including Mid-State Fire Systems, and Contract Filling Inc., sold the product nationwide from February 1996 through September 1999 for about $10. Consumers should stop using this product immediately. Consumers should either throw out the can or return it to the place where purchased for a full refund. Consumers should call CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772 for instructions on returning the product to the place of purchase.

Hazard

The product does not suppress fires and could intensify fires.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is not aware of any incidents or injuries with this product.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using this product immediately. Consumers should either throw out the can or return it to the place where purchased for a full refund.

What Should You Do?

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