Football Helmet Chin Straps

CPSC Recall #08-081 — November 12, 2007

Recall Summary

Recall Number08-081
Recall DateNovember 12, 2007
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 235,000
ManufacturerNike Inc., of Beaverton, Ore.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Sporting good stores nationwide and on the firm's website www.Nike.com from April 2006 through October 2007 for about $20.

Product

Football Helmet Chin Straps

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nike Inc., of Beaverton, Ore., is voluntarily recalling about 235,000 Football Helmet Chin Straps. The chin strap's plastic cup can break as a result of contact, exposing the player to facial or head injuries.Name of Product: Football Helmet Chin StrapsUnits: About 235,000Manufacturer: Nike Inc., of Beaverton, Ore.Hazard: The chin strap's plastic cup can break as a result of contact, exposing the player to facial or head injuries.Incidents/Injuries: Nike has received 18 reports of the chin strap breaking, including two reports of concussions, two reports of facial lacerations requiring stitches, and a report of a broken nose.Description: The recalled football helmet chin strap consists of a plastic cup with a foam liner, straps and four metal snaps. They were sold in both youth and adult sizes and come in black/gray and white/gray color combinations. The Nike Swoosh trademark is printed on the outside of the chin cup and DRI-FIT™ is printed on the foam liner. "Made in China" and one of the following four style numbers is printed on the inside of the strap: FA0016 046, FA0016 130, FA0021 046, or FA0021 130.Sold at: Sporting good stores nationwide and on the firm's website www.Nike.com from April 2006 through October 2007 for about $20.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the chin strap immediately and contact Nike for a product voucher redeemable at www.Nike.com.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Nike toll-free at (888) 583-6453 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.Nike.com.

Hazard

The chin strap's plastic cup can break as a result of contact, exposing the player to facial or head injuries.

Incidents & Injuries

Nike has received 18 reports of the chin strap breaking, including two reports of concussions, two reports of facial lacerations requiring stitches, and a report of a broken nose.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the chin strap immediately and contact Nike for a product voucher redeemable at www.Nike.com.

What Should You Do?

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