Healthways Ocean Side dive masks
CPSC Recall #97-188 - September 14, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-188 |
| Recall Date | September 14, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 74,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Kmart and Super Kmart stores nationwide sold the dive mask set from February 1997 through August 1997 for about $20. |
Product
Healthways Ocean Side dive masks
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kmart of Troy, Mich., is recalling about 74,000 Healthways Ocean Side dive masks. The glass in the masks can break into sharp pieces and cut divers.Kmart has received seven reports of masks' glass breaking, resulting in one diver's hand being cut.The Healthways Ocean Side dive mask is made of fluorescent yellow, marine blue or raspberry plastic and clear tempered glass. The mask was part of a dive set that included a snorkel and fins. The words "Healthways Ocean Side...Tempered" are printed on the front of the mask.The dive set is packaged in a blue, yellow and white cardboard box labeled in part, "Barbados Healthways Ocean Side...4-Piece Dive Set...Made in China for Kmart." The dive set is visible through a plastic window on the front of the box. The following UPC codes are on the box: 609299960042, 74767136154, 609299960011, 747671361510, 609299960028, 747671361527, 609299960035 or 747671361534.Kmart and Super Kmart stores nationwide sold the dive mask set from February 1997 through August 1997 for about $20.Consumers should stop using these dive masks immediately and return them to the nearest Kmart store for a refund. Consumers will receive $8 for the dive mask or a full refund for the set. For more information, consumers should call Kmart at (800) 63KMART anytime or access Kmart's website at www.kmart.com.
Hazard
The glass in the masks can break into sharp pieces and cut divers.
Incidents & Injuries
Kmart has received seven reports of masks' glass breaking, resulting in one diver's hand being cut.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these dive masks immediately and return them to the nearest Kmart store for a refund. Consumers will receive $8 for the dive mask or a full refund for the set.
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.
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.
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.