Recall: Elkton Sparkler Recall of Bamboo-Stick Sparklers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2002 Release # 03-060

Firm's Recall Hotline:(800) 322-3458 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Gilesc, (301) 504-7052

CPSC, Elkton Sparkler Announce Recall of Bamboo-Stick Sparklers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Elkton Sparkler Company Inc., of North East, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 1.7 million boxes of bamboo stick sparklers. The sparklers' bamboo-stick handles can catch fire, burn and disintegrate and emit burning fragments during use. The sparklers present a fire hazard and a risk of burn injury.

CPSC and Elkton Sparkler have received four reports of burns and clothing igniting. Injuries include a 6-year-old girl who received second-degree burns to her ankle and a 3-year-old boy who received a minor burn to his leg when his sweat pants caught on fire.

The recalled sparklers were packaged in a red, white and blue cardboard box and sold with six sparklers per box. Three models of sparklers were sold, including model SP08 measuring 8-inches long, model SP14 measuring 14-inches long, and model SP20 measuring 20-inches long. Labels on the packaging read in part "BAMBOO GOLD SPARKLERS," "6 PIECES," and "MADE IN CHINA."

Variety Stores sold these sparklers nationwide from January 2002 through May 2002 for between $2 and $5 a box.

Consumers should stop using these sparklers immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers can contact Elkton Sparklers at (800) 322-3458 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at www.easylite.com