Martha Stewart Everyday® Safety Matches
CPSC Recall #04-138 — May 17, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-138 |
| Recall Date | May 17, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 588 boxes |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Kmart Stores from January 2004 through March 2004 for about $2. |
Product
Martha Stewart Everyday® Safety Matches
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kmart Corp., of Troy, Mich., is voluntarily recalling Martha Stewart Everyday Safety Matches. These matches may ignite upon impact, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Name of product: Martha Stewart Everyday® Safety MatchesUnits: 588 boxesDistributor: Kmart Corp., of Troy, Mich.Hazard: These matches may ignite upon impact, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Kmart has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.Description: The recalled matches come in a yellow checkered box, with the UPC code - 045774700237 - printed on the back. The matches are 11 inches long.Sold at: Kmart Stores from January 2004 through March 2004 for about $2.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the matches immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kmart toll-free at (866) 562-7848 anytime or log on the company's website at www.kmart.com.
Hazard
These matches may ignite upon impact, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Kmart has not received any reports of incidents.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the matches immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.
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.
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.