Recall: Safety Alert: Petzl America Warns of Burn Hazard from Headlamps; Product Should Only Be Used with Non-Rechargeable Batteries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2008
Release #08-403

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 740-3826
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Safety Alert: Petzl America Warns of Burn Hazard from Headlamps; Product Should Only Be Used with Non-Rechargeable Batteries

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a safety alert for the following consumer products. Consumers should immediately stop using rechargable batteries with any of the products listed below.

Name of Product: “MYO” and “MYO Belt” Headlamps

Units: About 322,000

Distributor: Petzl America, of Clearfield, Utah

Manufacturer: Petzl S.A., of Crolles, France

Hazard: If the headlamp is used with rechargeable batteries, the cable connecting the battery pack to the lamp can spark, melt, or catch fire. This poses a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Petzl has received 13 reports of sparking and/or melting, with 2 reports of flames. One consumer received a minor burn to the hand, and another experienced singed hair.

Description: This safety alert involves the “MYO” and “MYO Belt” headlamps with name and model numbers listed below. The “MYO” headlamps have a battery pack attached to the headband. The “MYO Belt” headlamps have a remote battery pack attached to the headlamp via a long electric cable.

Name Model Number
MYO E26P
MYO-black E26PN
MYO 3 E27P
MYO 3-black E27PN
MYO 5 E28P
MYO 5-black E28PN
MYO Belt 3 E29 P
MYO Belt 5 E30 P
MYOLITE E31 P
MYOLITE 3 E32 P
MYOBELT SB5 E33 P
MYO XP, blue E83 P
MYO XP, gray E83 P2
MYOBELT XP, blue E84 P
MYO XP BELT, gray E84 P2

The name of the product can be found on the side of the headlamp and on the packaging. The model number can be found on the packaging.

Sold at: Specialty retailers nationwide from February 2003 through August 2008 for between $40 and $80.

Manufactured in: France

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using rechargeable batteries with the headlamps and contact Petzl to obtain a new warning label. Consumers can continue to use the headlamps with non-rechargeable batteries.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Petzl America toll-free at (877) 740-3826 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.petzl.com



Picture of Recalled MYOLITE Headlamp
MYOLITE Headlamp



Picture of Recalled MYOLITE 3 Headlamp
MYOLITE 3 Headlamp



Picture of Recalled MYO XP Headlamp
MYO XP Headlamp



Picture of Recalled MYO XP Belt Headlamp
MYO XP Belt Headlamp