Two Reported Deaths Leads To CPSC Recall Of Toy Dart Gun Sets

After receiving reports of two boys who suffered fatal personal injuries due to asphyxiation, the government announced the recall of 1.8 million toy dart gun sets on May 17.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a 9-year-old boy from Chicago, Illinois and a 10-year-old boy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin died after chewing on the one-inch, soft-plastic darts, which slipped into their throats, causing the small suction cup portion of the dart to cut off their breathing.

The dart gun sets were sold at Family Dollar stores across the U.S.

CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said the organization wants to make parents aware of the asphyxiation risk the darts pose to preteen children.

The dart gun sets under recall were imported by New Jersey-based Henry Gordy International. The CPSC said the company refused to issue a recall for the product, so Family Dollar worked together with the CPSC on the recall.

Family Dollar, which is based just outside of Charlotte, said that they have not sold the product in more than a year, but agreed to work with the CPSC on the recall in order to alert consumers who purchased the dart gun sets.

The “Auto Fire” dart gun sets were sold exclusively at Family Dollar stores between September 2005 and January 2009 at a price of around $1.50.

The orange darts measure slightly over an inch in length and have a small suction cup at one end with a diameter of approximately ½ inch. The packaging has “Gordy Toy” printed on it.

The CPSC advises consumers to immediately retrieve the dart gun sets from their children and discard them. Family Dollar says that they will offer refunds to customers who purchased the product.