"Hearts & Flowers" bicycle helmets
CPSC Recall #00-140 — July 4, 2000
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 00-140 |
| Recall Date | July 4, 2000 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 9,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Toys R Us stores sold these helmets with accessories nationwide from October 1999 through April 2000 for about $13. |
Product
"Hearts & Flowers" bicycle helmets
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cycle Express Inc., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 9,000 bicycle helmets. These helmets fail impact testing and labeling required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. Riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls, and could suffer severe head injuries or death. CPSC and Cycle Express are not aware of any injuries or incidents involving these helmets. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries. The recalled girls' helmets are mostly pink mixed with silver glitter. The pink portion of the helmet is bordered by purple tape. Decals on the helmets read "Hearts & Flowers." These helmets are size small, for ages 2 through 5 years. A label inside the helmet reads "DISTRIBUTED BY: CYCLE EXPRESS." The helmets, which were made in China, are packaged in a box that reads, "Hearts and Flowers Helmet Combo Value Pack" and "Item #10235." The helmets were sold with a bike bag-purse combo and hair accessories. Toys R Us stores sold these helmets with accessories nationwide from October 1999 through April 2000 for about $13. Consumers should stop using these bicycle helmets immediately, and return them to the store where purchased. They will receive a $7 refund, which is the assessed value of the helmet. For more information, call Cycle Express toll-free at (877) 714-6117 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write to Cycle Express Inc., 312 Fifth Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
Hazard
These helmets fail impact testing and labeling required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. Riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls, and could suffer severe head injuries or death.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and Cycle Express are not aware of any injuries or incidents involving these helmets.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these bicycle helmets immediately, and return them to the store where purchased. They will receive a $7 refund, which is the assessed value of the helmet.
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.
Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.
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.