Li'l Roughneck Humphrey the Dinosaur Hamper (item #2792) and Li'l Roughneck Bubbles the Whale Ham...

CPSC Recall #95-053 - December 22, 1994

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-053
Recall DateDecember 22, 1994
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 150,000

Product

Li'l Roughneck Humphrey the Dinosaur Hamper (item #2792) and Li'l Roughneck Bubbles the Whale Hamper (item #2793)

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Rubbermaid Incorporated of Wooster, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling two similarly-constructed children's hampers, the Li'l Roughneck Humphrey the Dinosaur Hamper (item #2792) and the Li'l Roughneck Bubbles the Whale Hamper (item #2793). Very small children who crawl into the hampers can lodge their heads in the hollow tail of the whale hamper or the head of the dinosaur hamper. Rubbermaid received one report of a 14-month-old child whose head became lodged in the tail of the whale hamper and one report of a 10-month-old child whose head became lodged in the head of the dinosaur hamper. Although neither child was seriously injured, Rubbermaid is undertaking this recall to prevent possible injury. Humphrey the Dinosaur Hamper, shaped like a dinosaur, is made of jade green plastic. Bubbles the Whale Hamper, shaped like a whale, is made of blue plastic. Both products, which come with removable lids, measure approximately 30 inches in length and 19 inches in height. About 150,000 whale and dinosaur hampers were sold nationwide beginning in 1993. Consumers should discontinue use of these products and call Rubbermaid at (888) 895-2110 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, for information on how to receive a shipping carton to return the product for a full refund of $30.

Hazard

Very small children who crawl into the hampers can lodge their heads in the hollow tail of the whale hamper or the head of the dinosaur hamper. 

Incidents & Injuries

Rubbermaid received one report of a 14-month-old child whose head became lodged in the tail of the whale hamper and one report of a 10-month-old child whose head became lodged in the head of the dinosaur hamper. Although neither child was seriously injured, Rubbermaid is undertaking this recall to prevent possible injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should discontinue use of these products and call Rubbermaid at (888) 895-2110 for information on how to receive a shipping carton to return the product for a full refund of $30.

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.