| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2000 Release # 01-059 |
Excite Recall Hotline: (888) 571-3731 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 |
CPSC, Excite Ltd. Announce Recall of Scooters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Excite Ltd., of Hong Kong, is voluntarily recalling about 80,000 scooters. The front of the folding mechanism, where the steering column meets the base of the scooter, can create a pinch-point. Fingers can be injured while folding or unfolding the scooter.
Excite has received nine reports of pinch-point injuries to children including one partially amputated fingertip and eight lacerations, one of which required eight stitches.
The recall involves Excite Super Speeder II and Viper scooters. The scooter has a lightweight aluminum frame with black, foam handle grips. "Super Speeder II" or "Viper" is printed on the standing platform and on the steering column. The steering column also has "Excite" printed at the top. The scooter has 4-inch translucent in-line style wheels.
Rite Aid stores nationwide exclusively sold the Super Speeder II and Viper scooters from August 2000 to December 2000 for about $49.
Consumers should stop using these Excite scooters immediately and contact Excite Ltd. to receive a free cap that will cover the front of the folding mechanism. For more information, call Excite Ltd. toll-free at (888) 571-3731 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Only the Excite Super Speeder II and Excite Viper scooters sold at Rite Aid are part of this recall. This recall does not include the original Super Speeder or other Viper brand scooters.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help 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 40 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 @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800