CPSC, Hasbro Announce Recall to Repair Star WarsTM LightsaberTM Toys
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Hasbro Inc., of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily
recalling about 618,000 Star Wars Lightsaber toys for repair. The spring
in the battery compartments of these toys can dislodge, causing the
batteries to overheat or rupture. This can cause burns to consumers.
Hasbro has received 38 reports of Lightsaber batteries
overheating, including six reports of batteries rupturing. There are
three reports of minor burns to consumers, and one consumer reported
experiencing eye irritation.
There are two models of Lightsaber toys involved in this recall.
The Darth MaulTM Double-Bladed Lightsaber has retractable red plastic
"light blades" on both sides of a metallic-gray hand grip. When the
blades are fully extended, the toy is 5 feet long. The Qui-Gon JinnTM
Lightsaber has a single retractable "light blade" made of green plastic
that extends from a metallic-gray hand grip to about 3 feet. Both
Lightsaber toys operate with two "C" batteries. The plastic blades on
double-bladed Lightsaber light up when struck against another object,
and the single-bladed Lightsaber stays continually lit when turned on.
Both feature energy "humming," "charge-up" and motion-activated battle
crash sounds.
Mass merchandise and toys stores nationwide sold these Lightsabers
from May 1999 through June 1999 for $20 to $30.
Consumers should stop using these Lightsabers immediately, and
call Hasbro to get a free repair kit. The repair kit contains
instructions on how to install a battery protector. To get this repair
kit or for more information, consumers should call Hasbro at (888) 690-
6141 anytime, or go to their website at www.hasbro.com. Consumers also
can write to: Hasbro Lightsaber Repair Program, P.O. Box 200, Pawtucket,
RI 02862.
Lightsabers currently being sold with the sticker, "Now with
battery protector" are not part of this recall.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects
the public from unreasonable risk of injury
or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To
report a dangerous product
or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call
CPSC's hotline at (800)
638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through
fax-on-demand, call
(301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number.
Consumers can obtain this
release and recall information or report product hazards to
info@cpsc.gov.
