Westminster Inc. Recalls Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Due to Risk of Fire

(Click here to download the official press release)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of product: “Thunder Wolf” Remote Controlled Indoor Helicopters

Units: About 102,000

Importer/Distributor: Westminster Inc., of Atlanta, Ga.

Hazard: The rechargeable battery inside the helicopter can overheat. This can result in the helicopter’s body melting, as well as a risk of fire or burns to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Westminster Inc. has received seven reports of overheating and/or melting of the helicopter, including one report of flames and two reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The “Thunder Wolf” remote-controlled indoor helicopter is made of foam and plastic, and measures about 7 inches by 3 inches. “TW0996” is printed on the tail of the helicopter and was sold in multiple accent colors. The helicopter comes with a controller and a separate charger. Only helicopters that do not have “Made in China” stamped on the underside of the helicopter are subject to the recall.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from June 2007 through December 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop playing with the recalled helicopters and contact Westminster Inc. for a refund. Retailers will not accept returns or provide a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Westminster Inc. at (800) 618-0023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET Friday; visit the company’s Web site at www.thunderwolfhelicopter.com; or send an e-mail to info@thunderwolfhelicopter.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.