Toad Lawn Ball Sprinkler

CPSC Recall #03-159 — July 16, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-159
Recall DateJuly 16, 2003
Remedy TypeRefund
Units Affected4,000
ManufacturerMidwest, of Cannon Falls, Minn.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Drug
flower
garden
and gift stores nationwide sold the sprinklers from August 2002 through June 2003 for between $25 and $30.

Product

Toad Lawn Ball Sprinkler

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Midwest is voluntarily recalling Toad Lawn Sprinklers. The handles on the base of the slow cookers can break, posing a risk of burns from hot food spilling onto consumers.Name of product: Toad Lawn Ball SprinklerUnits: 4,000Manufacturer: Midwest, of Cannon Falls, Minn.Hazard: A small hose inside the toad can fail, allowing water to fill the toad's cavity. The increased water pressure can cause the toad to explode, posing the risk of injury to anyone nearby.Incidents/Injuries: There have been eight incidents involving the lawn balls exploding, though no injuries or property damage have been reported.Description: The green, frog-shaped sprinkler is 6-1/2 inches long, 6-1/2 inches wide and 7 inches tall. The recalled lawn balls have a label on the bottom that includes the model number 738449 508893 and the words, "Made in China."Sold at: Drug, flower, garden, and gift stores nationwide sold the sprinklers from August 2002 through June 2003 for between $25 and $30.Remedy: The sprinklers should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.Consumer Contact: For more information about the recall, consumers can call Midwest at (800) 776-2075 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or log onto their website at www.midwestofcannonfalls.com.

Hazard

A small hose inside the toad can fail, allowing water to fill the toad's cavity. The increased water pressure can cause the toad to explode, posing the risk of injury to anyone nearby.

Incidents & Injuries

There have been eight incidents involving the lawn balls exploding, though no injuries or property damage have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

The sprinklers should be returned to the place of purchase 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.

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.