Overheating Target Halloween flashlights uncovered by WalletPop are recalled by the CPSC
Filed under: Recalls, Consumer Ally
More than 600,000 Halloween flashlights sold at Target stores nationwide in August and September are being recalled following a story on WalletPop.com about them overheating and burning -- just days before kids head out for trick-or-treating.
The recall being announced today by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission includes both the flashlights that WalletPop detailed on Oct. 1 -- a three-pack of mini flashlights -- as well as a second set of flashlights with stencils that project six different Hallloween images. Chicago TV station WBBM revealed the problems with those flashlights.
Consumers are asked to bring the Chinese-made flashlights back to any Target store for a full refund. The flashlights can overheat and melt, posing a risk of burns. Eight incidents were reported, including one child who was burned, the CPSC said.
Two out of three of the mini flashlights used by WalletPop melted -- one smoking and crackling before it was extinguished. The other was extinguished as it began to melt.Target officials ordered the flashlights off the shelves at its stores the same day WalletPop told the retailer about the problems and immediately extended an offer to refund anyone who had purchased them. But the official announcement of a recall by the federal safety agency will give more people the opportunity to learn that the flashlights are not safe.
The mini flashlights have a key ring at the bottom. They were sold for $1 and came in three packs containing orange, green and black flashlights. The packaging is orange and purple and reads "Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)" printed on the front and "DGI", "Made in China" and "DPCI# 234-02-1813" on the back.
DGI is Devrian Global Industries of Warren, N.J., part of Horizon Group USA. An official there declined to comment when asked about problems with the flashlights, but did ask for the melted flashlights.
The other flashlights are of a standard size and have a black handle and an orange top. They came with six stencils that project the images of a pumpkin, ghost, spider, cat, witch and skull and cross-bones. "Flashlight with Stencil" is printed on the front and "Tien Hsing," "Made in China" and" 234 02 1838" is printed on the back of the packaging. Those flashlights sold for $2.50.
For more information, consumers can call Target weekdays between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time at (800) 440-0680.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-28-2009 @ 6:57AM
Nancy said...
When will we stop importing from China? From these flashlights to the disease-causing wallboard, to food items, products imported from this country have killed, injured or sickened hundreds of thousands of people, many of them children.
If that same amount of people were injured in 1 instance it would be considered an act of terrorism, but because China spreads it out into various products, we continue (as a country) to support them because their products are 'cheap'. It's time for the people of the U.S. to buy fewer, higher quality products and show China that if they want our business they have to earn it.
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10-28-2009 @ 8:46AM
KatrinaB said...
People need to wake up and stop buying the Jap crap. Washington needs to come from thier deep sleep and realize that you need manufacturing jobs here in America, but also we need for unions to stay out cause they are ones that drove these places over seas, along with people wanting cheap junk to buy and now you have it. Toys are loaded with lead and who cares !! Parents might but no Washington person will stay up and sayno to China they own our butts now thanks to over spending of our so called goverment. Everything needs to stop and rebuild over. Washington needs to wake up and get out of bed with China
10-28-2009 @ 9:17AM
Benjamin said...
Kudos to you Nancy...these corporations just don't get it. We are gambling everytime we import cheaply made products from China. They are decent products from China, but very very few. Most are made from poor quality, low grade materials, under very low standards. We get the products cheap but at the risks of our health or lives... worst yet our own childrens.
Yet as a whole, if all american(every freaking one of us) consumers stop buying products from China, the corporation will be forced to make changes.
10-28-2009 @ 9:39AM
AnaMary said...
Absolutely.....
10-28-2009 @ 10:28AM
We're Screwed said...
We can't stop importing and buying from China. The government has borrowed too much money from them. We owe them hundreds of billions of dollars. The only reason they keep giving the U.S. money for irresponsible spending is because we pump billions of dollars into their trade, manufacturing and export economies.
10-28-2009 @ 11:02AM
kristi said...
We will stop importing when people stop buying the stuff.
10-28-2009 @ 11:16AM
King David said...
WE HAVE BECOME CHINA'S DUMPING GROUNDS!!! It is time to end the bull and stop importing ANYTHING from CHINA. What??? We can't?? Because the previous BUSH ADMINISTRATIONS -- BOTH OF THEM -- have us so locked up in contracts and other dirty trade deals that we can't end them??? SCREW THEM!! Default on the contracts. What are they going to do?? Sue us??? What??? You mean that because of the FACT that we are so in debt --- BECAUSE WE ARE FIGHTING WARS AGAINST PHANTOM ENTITIES, AND THEN PAYING TO REBUILD THE LAND THAT WE JUST BOMBED --- that we have borrowed WAAAAYYYYYY TOO MUCH MONEY FROM CHINA THAT WE CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CONTRACTS AND THAT THEY COULD LEVY ON THE MONEY DEBTS?? Oh, Oh. Looks like we're in DEEP SHIT AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY WADERS!!! I guess we'll just have to keep taking it on the chin, or more to the point, up the ass!!!!
10-28-2009 @ 12:04PM
Patricia said...
Right on Nancy - we need to stop buying anything from China. Who is going to spend the money for gasoline to drive back to their Target Store and return a dollar item?
I feel empowered when I inform companies that I will no longer buy any of their products, clothing, etc. made in China. Companies like Avon and Lia Sophia - that make home sales - all have junk products made in China - never mind the dollar stores!
You can not tell me that many of these products can not be made in USA for comparable prices.
We will be doing the country a service if we just say NO to anything made in China in particular toys and clothing that can harm our children and grandchildren.
10-28-2009 @ 7:19AM
Holly said...
"Made in China" when will we ever learn?
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10-28-2009 @ 7:28AM
jack said...
more crap made in china they will kill us yet
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10-28-2009 @ 8:08AM
Carrie Poole said...
I bought the flashlight with the stencils. It was not made right, I am so happy that ours fell apart before it caught on fire. They need to test the stuff out before they sell it.
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10-28-2009 @ 8:05AM
brad said...
How do you screw up designing a flashlight? Where did the technology exceed their grasp?
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10-28-2009 @ 8:16AM
Jason said...
I agree 100 % with Brad, how do you mess that up? Target needs to start being more careful about their profucts, I have seen them numerous times in the news over the past couple of months for one defect or another. Many more and they will be shut down.
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10-28-2009 @ 8:29AM
cindy said...
...we cant stop importing from China. They get away with this because we owe them so much money. In 2012 your new landlord will probably be Chinese because they have been given " right of eminent domain" then. That means they can begin seizing US properties to pay this debt. Poorly made Chinese products are just the tip of the iceberg.
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10-28-2009 @ 8:30AM
john dumas said...
Hey Target, need someone to work as a product tester? Lets do lunch!
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10-28-2009 @ 8:30AM
cindy said...
Don't blame Target for this. We have safety standards in this country and products that Target buys to to retail are SUPPOSED to be tested and safe. The Chinese refuse to play by these rules...their standards are just different. If we rigorously tested all Chinese products before allowing them to be marketed here ( as we should) they would cost more than AMERICAN MADE STUFF.
We can't have that now can we? That might boost the economy and create jobs HERE. We have been sold out.
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10-28-2009 @ 8:49AM
pat said...
You say dont blame Target for this, but when Walmart sells it everyone is boycotting and getting nasty. As you can see ALL retailers import and sell products made in China, please remember this next time you are at my return counter at Walmart screaming profanaties at me before I can ask what the problem is.
10-28-2009 @ 11:18AM
Uncledickierc said...
Chineese made...retail $2.00, U.S. made...retail $14.95. Be honest, as a consumer in economic hard times, which price would you choose???
10-28-2009 @ 8:30AM
OLDERFART said...
I'M GOING TO STOP SHOPPING AT TARGET FOR SELLING THAT CHINEASE CRAPOLA LETS TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY
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10-28-2009 @ 9:10AM
cfred said...
Ya as always just blame Clinton - Who went to China to be buddies first - Remember Nixon the Crook!!
We are to blame because we buy the junk being peddled to us. If you stop buying it maybe American suppliers will be back in business. Look in the mirror