Contraband 24 Fireworks Recall: Impact, Burn Hazard

Thousands of canister shell firework kits are being recalled following reports that suggest they may blow up in the launch tube, causing consumers to suffer burns and other injuries.

A Contraband 24 canister shell fireworks kit recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) on June 27, impacted an estimated 4,500 units.

At least two reports problems have been received, where the firing tubes were too narrow to project the canister shell out and into the air. Both incidents caused the firework to explode inside of the tube, resulting in at least one injury to the person igniting the fuse.

The recall includes Contraband 24 fireworks kits with canister shells and firing tubes that are designed to be used multiple times with model number JP-933. The shells are placed in the firing tube one at a time and have a fuse that is lit to ignite the firework. Each kit contains 24 60-gram shells that measure about 1 ¼ inches in diameter and four fiberglass firing tubes with wooden bases. The kits were sold in brown cardboard boxes measuring about 28 inches tall by 9 inches wide by 5 inches deep and have the words “Contraband 24”, “24 Canister Shells”, and “Maximum Powder Load” printed in black and red.

The products were manufactured in China under Winco Fireworks International LLC, of Prarie Village, Kansas where they were sold at Pyro City and other fireworks retailers nationwide from February 2014 to June 2014 for about $80.

The recall comes with the 4^th of July just days away, increasing the likelihood that any of the recalled shells will be used.

The CPSC suggests that consumers review their inventory of fireworks to see if they possess any of the recalled kits. The CPSC recommends that customers stop using the recalled fireworks immediately and return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.

The CPSC recommends that consumers only use legal fireworks, and also suggests the following safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with, or ignite, fireworks, including sparklers.
• Always have an adult nearby when older children are handling fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper, which is often a sign that they are for professional displays only.
• Do not place any part of your body directly over a pyrotechnical device while lighting the fuse.
• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose available in case of fire.
• Do not relight or handle fireworks that failed to light. Soak them in water and throw them away. Also soak used fireworks after they have successfully fired.
• Never point fireworks at another person.
• Only light fireworks one at a time and then move quickly away from them.
• Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or ignite them in metal or glass containers.