No remedy available. The manufacturer is no longer in business.
-
No image available
Despite the claim on the package that the "KER-BANGERS" are "SHATTERPROOF," when the Consumer Product Safety Commission tested these toys, the balls either shattered or cracked. In addition, many of the handles broke.
CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
Recall Details
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that on December 6, the United States Marshal's Office in Phoenix, Arizona seized almost 4,600 banned "clacker ball" toys. The toys, labeled "KER-BANGERS," are a hand-held novelty item consisting of two plastic balls connected by a cord to a plastic handle. When the hand is raised and lowered, the balls "clack" or bang against each other in an arc. Despite the claim on the package that the "KER-BANGERS" are "SHATTERPROOF," when the Consumer Product Safety Commission tested these toys, the balls either shattered or cracked. In addition, many of the handles broke. Consumers who have "KER-BANGERS" should promptly throw them away.
The toys were the seized at the premises of a wholesaler, Empire Novelty & Concession Supply, Inc. 2213 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona. Empire Novelty is voluntarily recalling the toys from its customers, who are retailers. The "KER-BANGERS" were shipped from California and, according to the label, were manufactured by Chuck Howard Toy Co. of Inglewood, California. The manufacturer is no longer in business.
Clacker balls were a popular toy in the early 1970's. To prevent injuries from fragmentation of the balls or from propulsion of the parts upon sudden disassembly during use, they are subject to a regulation enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which requires them to pass specific durability tests.
Consumers who have "KER-BANGERS" should promptly throw them away.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
Related Recalls
Due to its size and shape, the wooden egg-shaped rattle in the recalled learning sets can get lodged in a child’s throat, posing a choking hazard. This violates the federal regulations for infant rattles.
The recalled magnetic building sticks set violates the mandatory federal regulation for magnet toys posing an ingestion hazard. When high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can attract each other, or another metal object, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning and death.
The brown paint on the exterior of the recalled Christmas tree ornaments did not fully dry before packaging, causing mold to grow on the exterior surface of the ornament, posing risk of respiratory issues to consumers due to mold exposure.
The recalled toy’s gold-colored soft star can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
The recalled Baby Tummy Time Gallery art card pockets have clear plastic coverings that contain levels of a phthalate that exceeds the federal phthalates ban. Phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
The flashlight on the recalled kits violates the mandatory federal battery-operated toy regulation because the flashlights contain button cell batteries in a compartment that can be easily opened without requiring the use of a common household tool. When button cell batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, and death, posing an ingestion hazard.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our email alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky, Threads and LinkedIn.
- Report a dangerous product or product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
- Contact a media specialist.
