FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2004
Release #04-160 |
AE Recall Hotline: (800) 518-7339
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
CPSC, Associated Electrics Inc. Announce Recall of Battery Chargers for Radio Control Race Cars
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of product: Reedy Quasar Pro Battery Chargers (charges batteries used to power remote control race cars)
Units: 4,900
Manufacturer: Associated Electrics Inc., of Costa Mesa, Calif.
Hazard: A defective fuse and program error in the charger can cause the battery packs being charged to overheat and explode, posing a risk of serious injury to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Associated Electrics has received three reports of incidents involving exploding battery cells. One consumer sustained a bruised hand, while another received an eye injury from flying debris.
Description: The recalled #611 Quasar Pro Chargers were manufactured from February 2002 through February 2004. The grey charger box has words "Quasar Pro" printed in yellow on the front and shows a display of "QUASAR PRO VERSION 1.0" when first turned on. The recalled chargers either have no barcode label on the underside or a barcode label with the numbers "611" or "611A".
Sold at: Hobby dealers nationwide from February 2002 through February 2004 for about $200.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the charger immediately and contact Associated Electrics to receive a free repair.
Consumer Contact: Call Associated Electrics at (800) 518-7339 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Website at
www.teamassociated.com
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.