FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2004
Release # 04-118 Mattel’s Recall Hotline: (888) 271-9891
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC, Mattel, Inc. Announce Recall of BATMAN™ BATMOBILE™ Toy Vehicle
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: "BATMAN™ BATMOBILE™"
Units: 314,000
Manufacturer/Importer: Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif.
Hazard: The rear tail wings of the Batmobile are made of rigid plastic and come to a point, which pose a potential puncture or laceration hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: Mattel has received 14 reports of injuries consisting of scrapes, scratches, lacerations and punctures. Four of the injuries required medical treatment.
Description: The recalled "BATMAN™ BATMOBILE™" toy car is a 20-inch blue and gray plastic vehicle with a detachable motorcycle. Model number B4944 is written on the bottom of the toy vehicle.
Sold at: Mass merchants and toy stores nationwide from June 2003 through February 2004 for about $27.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Parents should take these toys away from children immediately and contact the firm for information on receiving free replacement wings. Mattel is providing free repair kits containing two replacement wings without pointed ends that snap onto the toy vehicle. The repair can be done quickly and easily at home; instructions will be provided.
Consumer Contact: Consumers can call Mattel at (888) 271-9891 anytime or visit
www.service.mattel.com to determine if their toy is among the recalled models and to order the free replacement wings if needed.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at
www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to
www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at
www.cpsc.gov.
