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Party Time "Happy String" cans

CPSC Recall #99-054 — January 20, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-054
Recall DateJanuary 20, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedMore than 190,000
Manufactured InKorea

Where It Was Sold

"Dollar Tree
" "Dollar Bills" and "Only $1" stores nationwide sold the spray string between October 1998 and January 1999 for about $1.

Product

Party Time "Happy String" cans

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), KMC USA Inc., of Franklin Park, Ill., is recalling more than 190,000 cans of Party Time "Happy String." The product is hazardous if sprayed near an open flame due to the flammability of the propellant. Because it is a flammable product intended for use by children, it is a banned hazardous substance. Use of the spray string around flame sources, such as candles, could result in serious burns. CPSC is aware of two reports of burns resulting from the use of this spray string. A 4-year-old boy that was burned when some of the string ignited while he was blowing out candles on his birthday cake. He suffered first- and second-degree burns on his face and arm. A woman sustained burns on her ear in another incident. Party Time Happy String comes in round metal spray containers about 5-inches high. The cans are mostly white, with various color plastic caps, and contain 1.75 ounces of liquid chemical. "PARTY TIME" is written on the can in different colored block letters, and "Happy String" is depicted as if it is being sprayed from a can of the spray string. Additional writing on the cans include, "MADE IN KOREA" . . . "IDEAL FOR DECORATING WALLS, TABLES, TREES, PEOPLE, ANYTHING..." "Dollar Tree," "Dollar Bills" and "Only $1" stores nationwide sold the spray string between October 1998 and January 1999 for about $1. Consumers should take this spray string away from children and stop using it immediately. It can be returned to any Dollar Tree store for a refund. For more information, call Dollar Tree Stores at (800) 876-8077 anytime. Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (Transcript). It is about 6 megabytes long and the download time depends upon the speed of your Internet connection.

Hazard

The product is hazardous if sprayed near an open flame due to the flammability of the propellant. Because it is a flammable product intended for use by children, it is a banned hazardous substance. Use of the spray string around flame sources, such as candles, could result in serious burns.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC is aware of two reports of burns resulting from the use of this spray string. A 4-year-old boy that was burned when some of the string ignited while he was blowing out candles on his birthday cake. He suffered first- and second-degree burns on his face and arm. A woman sustained burns on her ear in another incident.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take this spray string away from children and stop using it immediately. It can be returned to any Dollar Tree store for a 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.

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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.

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