Patriot Missile Launcher Fireworks Recalled Due To Malfunctioning Hazard
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
August 1, 1991
(301) 504-7908
Release # 91-103
Patriot Missile Launcher Fireworks Recalled Due To Malfunctioning Hazard
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Patriot Fireworks, Inc.,
Elkton, MD is voluntarily recalling approximately 11,000 Patriot
Missile Launcher fireworks devices. The device shoots four
flaming balls approximately 200 feet into the air. It may tip
over while operating, particularly when placed on an uneven
surface, and fire shots horizontally at ground level which pose a
hazard to spectators.
The CPSC learned of the potential hazard as a result of a
report from a retailer of the device and from investigating a
death of a three-year-old boy in the State of Kentucky. The
young boy allegedly was struck in the head with a ball from a
Patriot Missile Launcher which reportedly tipped over while
firing.
The device consists of four two-inch diameter cardboard
tubes approximately 10 inches long, glued vertically onto a seven
and one-half inch square particle board base, and encased within
a paper wrapping. The paper wrapping is white with red and blue
printing and a picture on the front of a Colonial soldier against
an American flag encircled by stars. The words "PATRIOT MISSILE
LAUNCHER," also appear on the front of the label in large red,
white, and blue print. On one side panel, the label reads in
part, "PATRIOT Fireworks Elkton, Maryland 21922."
The fireworks devices were sold in a variety of retail
stores and fireworks stands nationwide from February through mid-
July 1991 at a retail price of about $18 to $29 per four-shot
device.
Consumers are urged not to use these devices and to return
them immediately to the store where purchased for a full refund.
In the event the device was purchased from a temporary fireworks
stand no longer operating, consumers should call Patriot
Fireworks collect at 1-301-287-2365 for instructions on disposing
of the device and obtaining a refund.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing
this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from
unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer
products. The Commission's objective is to help reduce the
estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths that occur each
year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products within
CPSC's jurisdiction.