CPSC recall 01-166, announced June 19, 2001, covers Equity Marketing Remote Controlled Toy Race Cars and Galileo Weather Thermometers (about 4,300 units). Problems with the circuits are rendering some of the Remote Controlled Race Cars inoperable. The notice cites 3 incident reports and 2 injuries. Consumers should stop using these cars immediately, remove the batteries from the remote controlled race cars and the remote controls and return the remote controlled race cars and remote controls to the Texaco station where purchased, for a full refund. Recall contact: call (888) 747-4355 or (800) 876-9677, or go to www.equity-marketing.com.
Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.
The CPSC data does not provide a discrete model-number list for this record. Compare the product description and identification details on the official notice.
A small gold sticker that says "Made in China" is on the bottom of the cylinder.
Which products are included?
The remote controlled race cars are black with the number 28 printed in red on the doors and roof and the Texaco logo printed on the hood of the car. The cars are about 8 inches long by 3 inches wide and 2 inches high. A black cordless remote control is sold with the cars and reads in part "FORWARD," and "REVERSE" in yellow print. The thermometers are made of glass. They are cylinder-shaped, measuring about 17 inches high. Inside the cylinder are floating small glass spheres filled with various colors of liquid. Attached to each sphere is a metal disk with different temperatures embossed on both sides. The spheres float up and down within the cylinder to identify a temperature based on their position within the cylinder. A small gold sticker that says "Made in China" is on the bottom of the cylinder.
Confirm these details on the official CPSC noticeWhy it was recalled
Problems with the circuits are rendering some of the Remote Controlled Race Cars inoperable. These cars can overheat and emit smoke and may pose a potential burn hazard. The thermometers contain a liquid that is flammable and a hazardous substance that could be harmful or fatal if swallowed.
Incidents and injuries
Equity Marketing Inc. has received three reports of the toy cars emitting smoke. No injuries have been reported.
CPSC and Nantucket Distributing Co. Inc. have received five reports of thermometers breaking resulting in two injuries. A man suffered burns to his hands when the thermometer broke near a stove and ignited his clothing. Another man suffered smoke inhalation when extinguishing a fire caused by candles igniting a broken thermometer.
Official remedy
Consumers should stop using these cars immediately, remove the batteries from the remote controlled race cars and the remote controls and return the remote controlled race cars and remote controls to the Texaco station where purchased, for a full refund. Consumers also may return the items for a full refund, by obtaining a prepaid shipping label by calling Equity Marketing Inc. Consumers should stop using these thermometers immediately and return them to the Christmas Tree Shops Inc. where purchased, for a refund.
Product and sales details
- Brand
- Equity Marketing
- Product type
- Toys & play sets
- Recall number
- 01-166
- Units
- About 4,300 Remote Controlled Race Cars and 28,000 Galileo thermometers
- Manufactured in
- China
- Sold at / sales period
- Participating Texaco gas stations nationwide sold the cars under the "Need for Speed" promotion, from May 2001 through June 1, 2001, for about $12, with any $10 purchase. The Christmas Tree Shops Inc. in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Albany, New York sold these thermometers, from June 2000 through December 2000, for $12.99.
- Distributor
- Equity Marketing Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., Nantucket Distributing Co. Inc., of South Yarmouth, Mass.
Remote Controlled Toy Race Cars and Galileo Weather Thermometers
CPSC product type: Toy Cars|Thermostats/Thermometers/Sensors
Recall contact information
Consumers may call Equity Marketing Inc. at (888) 747-4355 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or by writing to Remote Controlled Car Recall, Equity Marketing, Inc. at 6330 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. For more information, consumers may also visit the firm's website at www.equity-marketing.com. For more information, consumers should call Christmas Tree Shops Inc. at (800) 876-9677 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.christmastreeshops.com
Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.
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