Children's Vampire Capes and Witch Brooms Recall by Rubie's Costume

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 1998
Release # 99-013

Company Phone Number: (516) 488-0484
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. Announce Recall of Children's Vampire Capes and Witch Brooms

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rubie's Costume Co. Inc., of Richmond Hill, N.Y., is recalling about 6,000 children's vampire capes and about 6,000 children's witch brooms. The capes and the brooms, which fail to meet federal mandatory standards for flammability, could ignite readily and present a serious risk of burn injuries to children.

CPSC and Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these capes or brooms. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The vampire capes are made of black vinyl. The edges of the cape are scalloped. The capes are packaged in a plastic sleeve with a cardboard insert, which reads in part, "Child's Vinyl Vampire Cape...No. 50282...Made in China." The Rubies logo and a picture of a boy wearing the cape are also on the insert.

The witch brooms are 27 inches long with a bamboo handle and brush made of twigs. The brooms were sold with a sticker around the handle, which reads in part, "Child's Authentic Witch Broom...Style No. 85." The Rubies logo is also on the sticker.

Toy, party, costume, discount and drug stores nationwide sold the capes and brooms for about $2 each from September 1997 to October 1998.

Consumers should not let their children wear the vampire capes or use the 27-inch witch brooms this Halloween. Consumers should return the products to the stores where purchased for a refund. For questions about this recall, consumers should call Rubies Costume Co. Inc. collect at (516) 488-0484 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

Vampire Cape outfit