CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of Remote Controlled Toy Race Cars and Galileo Weather Thermometers

The following product safety recalls were conducted by firms in cooperation with the CPSC. For more information about recalls, visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.

PRODUCT: Remote Controlled Toy Race Cars - Equity Marketing Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 4,300 Remote Controlled Race Cars. The remote controlled race cars are black with the number 28 printed in red on the doors and roof and the Texaco logo printed on the hood of the car. The cars are about 8-inches long by 3-inches wide and 2-inches high. A black cordless remote control is sold with the cars and reads in part " FORWARD," and "REVERSE" in yellow print. Participating Texaco gas stations nationwide sold the cars under the "Need for Speed" promotion from May 2001 through June 1, 2001 for about $12 with any $10 purchase.

PROBLEM: Problems with the circuits are rendering some of the Remote Controlled Race Cars inoperable. These cars can overheat and emit smoke and may pose a potential burn hazard.

INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Equity Marketing Inc. has received three reports of the toy cars emitting smoke. No injuries have been reported.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these cars immediately, remove the batteries from the remote controlled race cars and the remote controls and return the remote controlled race cars and remote controls to the Texaco station where purchased for a full refund. Consumers also may return the items for a full refund by obtaining a prepaid shipping label by calling Equity Marketing Inc. at (888) 747-4355 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or by writing to Remote Controlled Car Recall, Equity Marketing, Inc. at 6330 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. For more information, consumers may also visit the firm's web site at www.equity-marketing.com.

PRODUCT: Galileo Weather Thermometers - Nantucket Distributing Co. Inc., of South Yarmouth, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 28,000 Galileo thermometers. The thermometers are made of glass. They are cylinder- shaped measuring about 17-inches high. Inside the cylinder are floating small glass spheres filled with various colors of liquid. Attached to each sphere is a metal disk with different temperatures embossed on both sides. The spheres float up and down within the cylinder to identify a temperature based on their position within the cylinder. A small gold sticker that says "Made in China" is on the bottom of the cylinder. The Christmas Tree Shops Inc. in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Albany, New York sold these thermometers from June 2000 through December 2000 for $12.99.

PROBLEM: The thermometers contain a liquid that is flammable and a hazardous substance that could be harmful or fatal if swallowed.

INCIDENTS/INJURIES: CPSC and Nantucket Distributing Co. Inc. have received five reports of thermometers breaking resulting in two injuries. A man suffered burns to his hands when the thermometer broke near a stove and ignited his clothing. Another man suffered smoke inhalation when extinguishing a fire caused by candles igniting a broken thermometer.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using these thermometers immediately and return them to the Christmas Tree Shops Inc. where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should call Christmas Tree Shops Inc. at (800) 876-9677 anytime, or visit the firm's web site at www.christmastreeshops.com.