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Toy flashlight included with Playmobil's Coastal Search and Rescue Boats toy set

CPSC Recall #99-172a - September 21, 1999

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-172a
Recall DateSeptember 21, 1999
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 5,500

Where It Was Sold

Independent toy stores nationwide sold the toy set containing the recalled flashlight from July 1999 to September 1999 for about $40.

Product

Toy flashlight included with Playmobil's Coastal Search and Rescue Boats toy set

Description

PRODUCT: Toy flashlights - Sonca Products Ltd., of Hong Kong, is voluntarily recalling about 5,500 toy flashlights. The flashlight came with Playmobil's Coastal Search and Rescue Boats toy set (item 3063), which included a rescue boat, rescue raft, diver, and captain among other diving equipment. The toy set is not part of the recall, only the flashlight. The flashlights are made of blue rubber, measure about 6.25 inches long, and have a black cord attached. The flashlight operates with two "AA" batteries. The word "PLAYMOBIL" is on the side of the flashlight. Independent toy stores nationwide sold the toy set containing the recalled flashlight from July 1999 to September 1999 for about $40. PROBLEM: The spring in the flashlight's battery compartment can dislodge, causing the batteries to overheat or leak. Children can suffer burns from the leaking battery. INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Sonca has received four reports from Europe of batteries overheating or leaking. There have been two reports of minor property damage and two minor injuries, including eye irritation and skin burns. WHAT TO DO: Consumers should take the flashlight away from children immediately. Consumers should call Sonca at (800) 669-6394 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for instructions on returning the flashlight for a $5 refund. Consumers also can access the company's web site at www.sonca.com.

Hazard

The spring in the flashlight's battery compartment can dislodge, causing the batteries to overheat or leak. Children can suffer burns from the leaking battery.

Incidents & Injuries

Sonca has received four reports from Europe of batteries overheating or leaking. There have been two reports of minor property damage and two minor injuries, including eye irritation and skin burns.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take the flashlight away from children immediately. Consumers should call Sonca at (800) 669-6394 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for instructions on returning the flashlight for a $5 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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