Surf Club™ Arm Bands
CPSC Recall #05-257 — September 1, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-257 |
| Recall Date | September 1, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose, No Remedy Available |
| Units Affected | About 480,000 pairs |
| Importer | CVS Pharmacy, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| CVS stores nationwide from April 2003 through August 2005 for about $1. |
Product
Surf Club™ Arm Bands
Description
The recalled plastic inflatable arm band pool floats are bright orange on the outside and white on the inside with an inflation valve on each side. They are imprinted with a "Surf Club" logo, "CVS/pharmacy," and "Caution: This is not a lifesaving device. Do not leave child unattended while in use." When inflated, the arm bands measure about 8-inches long by 6-inches wide.
Hazard
The seams of the inflatable arm bands can tear, causing them to deflate. This poses a drowning hazard to young children.
Incidents & Injuries
Atico International has received two reports of the seams of inflatable arm bands tearing during use. No injuries have been reported. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
The firm is out of business, the remedy is no longer available, and the product should be discarded or destroyed.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available 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 (Dispose, No Remedy Available) 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.