| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| March 4, 1986 |
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| Release # 86-011 |
"Official Chopper 9" Flying Toy Helicopter warned by Whimports
Honolulu, Hawaii -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Whimports of Honolulu, Hawaii today warns consumers of a possible hazard associated with the flying of a toy helicopter called "Official Chopper 9". Approximately 30,000 "Official Chopper 9's" were sold between July of 1984 and January 1985 in Hawaii only. The firm and the Commission are aware of four eye and face laceration incidents in which the rotor blades either flew off the toy, striking the user or bystander, or the entire helicopter descended rapidly, striking the person in the face. The incidents happened in October 1984, and Whimports voluntarily stopped sales of the toy in January 1985.
The "Official Chopper 9," which retailed for approximately $5.00, is a six-inch plastic flying toy helicopter with a hand launching device. The number 9 is prominently displayed on the cabin of the toy. Assembly is required before the toy can be flown. It is this assembly which is difficult and if done improperly could allow the rotor blades to come off and cause possible facial lacerations or serious eye injury.
Consumers are urged to discontinue use and to return either the three rotor blades or the entire toy helicopter to Whimports. Whimports will replace the returned blades with a redesigned rotor assembly and if the entire toy helicopter is returned, it will be replaced with a new toy helicopter with a redesigned rotor assembly. Returns should be mailed to: Whimports, 449 Koula Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Consumers may reach Whimports by calling 537-6079. For further information, they can reach the Consumer Product Safety Commission office in Honolulu, Mr. Donald Ching, 546-7523.
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.