"Night Shell," "Gorilla Bomb," and "Gorilla Bomb II" seven-shot rack fireworks display devices

CPSC Recall #93-088 - June 27, 1993

Recall Summary

Recall Number93-088
Recall DateJune 27, 1993
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedApproximately 1,200
ImporterAtlas Imports, of Myrtle Beach, SC
Manufactured InChina

Product

"Night Shell," "Gorilla Bomb," and "Gorilla Bomb II" seven-shot rack fireworks display devices

Description

PRODUCT: "Night Shell," "Gorilla Bomb," and "Gorilla Bomb II" seven-shot rack fireworks display devices imported by Atlas Imports. The devices have seven 10- or 11-inch mortar tubes with a connecting single fuse. Approximately 1,200 of the display devices were imported and distributed from December 1992 through May 1993 in the Myrtle Beach, SC area. They retailed for about $13 each. PROBLEM: The fireworks display devices may tip over during operation and fire the charges horizontally or at various angles, resulting in death or serious injury to persons nearby. WHAT TO DO: Consumers are urged to stop using these devices immediately and return them to the stores where purchased for a full refund. For more information, call 1-800-552-3514. From Florida or South Carolina call (803) 238-3054. WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Atlas Imports, Myrtle Beach, SC, is voluntarily recalling its "Night Shell," "Gorilla Bomb," and "Gorilla Bomb II" seven-shot rack fireworks display devices. The fireworks display devices may tip over during operation and fire the charges horizontally or at various angles, resulting in serious injury to persons nearby. Although the Commission is not aware of any incidents involving these particular fireworks, the Commission knows of two deaths involving other multiple-tube aerial fireworks devices that tipped over, struck, and killed the victims. The Night Shell, Gorilla Bomb, and Gorilla Bomb II devices were imported beginning in December 1992. The Gorilla Bomb device consists of seven 10-inch mortar tubes with a connecting single fuse. The Night Shell and Gorilla Bomb II devices have seven 11-inch mortar tubes with a connecting single fuse. All three devices are 6-1/2 inches in diameter. The Night Shell device is labeled: "Link Triad Brand Night W-800 *** Made in Guangxi, China." The Gorilla Bomb device is labeled: "Gorilla Bomb Suger Star Shell Kg 707 Made in Jiangxi, China." The Gorilla Bomb II device is labeled: "Gorilla Bomb II Super Crackling Shell Manufactured by Beihai Fireworks and Firecrackers I/E Co. Made in Guangxi, China." Twelve-hundred devices were distributed December 1992 through May 1993 to the firm's own five retail stores, named "Mr. Fireworks" and other retail stores within the Myrtle Beach, SC area. They retailed for approximately $13 each. Consumers are urged to stop using these firework devices immediately. Consumers are encouraged to return the devices to the stores where purchased for a full refund. For more information call Atlas Imports at 1-800-552-3514. From Florida or South Carolina call (803) 238-3054. CPSC is announcing this recall as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

Hazard

The fireworks display devices may tip over during operation and fire the charges horizontally or at various angles, resulting in death or serious injury to persons nearby.

Incidents & Injuries

Although the Commission is not aware of any incidents involving these particular fireworks, the Commission knows of two deaths involving other multiple-tube aerial fireworks devices that tipped over, struck, and killed the victims.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are urged to stop using these devices immediately and return them to the stores 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.