MEDIA 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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Spark, Spitfire Inline Skates
Units: About 29,000 pairs
Importer: Rollerblade USA, of West Lebanon, N.H.
Hazard: The frame mounting bolts and wheel axle bolts can be loose on new skates. Loose wheels or frames on the skates can cause the rider to fall, posing a risk of injury.
Incidents/Injuries: Rollerblade USA has received 31 reports of loose bolts, including one report of a fall resulting in minor injuries that required medical attention.
Description: This recall involves the following models of inline skates purchased since September 2009.
Spark Pro, Men’s (SKU# 00792200816), Black
Spark Pro, Women’s (SKU# 007923007E2), Anthracite (Grey)
Spark 80, Men’s (SKU# 00702800956), Black
Spark 80, Women’s (SKU# 007029009A6), Anthracite (Grey)
Spitfire, Boy’s (SKU# 00705500741), Black
Spitfire, Girl’s (SKU# 007056007Y8), Silver
Spitfire S, Boy’s (SKU# 00705700956), Black
Spitfire S, Girl’s (SKU# 007058009A7), Anthracite (Grey)
Spitfire LX, (SKU# 00705000955), Silver
Sold at: Sporting goods stores nationwide and on the Internet from September 2009 through July 2010 for between $80 and $160.
Manufactured in: Thailand, Vietnam and China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately inspect all wheel-axle and frame-mounting bolts to ensure that they are properly tightened. Rollerblade USA recommends regular inspection and tightening of bolts. After wheel-axle and frame mounting bolts are inspected and tightened if needed, products are acceptable for sale & use. Video instructions on bolt tightening and maintenance are available at www.rollerblade.com
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rollerblade USA at (800) 232-7655 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.rollerblade.com
CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx
I had a pair of the Spark 80 skates and just gave them a quick look for any issues. Luckily there weren’t any. I think it’s important for people to note that this a voluntary recall and that there isn’t any cause for panic…just safety precautions.