FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 1999
Release # 99-104
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Company Phone Number: (800) 456-BELL
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058
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CPSC, Bell Sports Inc. Announce Recall of Bicycle Helmets
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Bell Sports Inc., of San Jose, Calif., is voluntarily
recalling about 5,800 bicycle helmets used for BMX and downhill mountain
biking and racing. A defect with the helmets' chin strap rivets can
result in the helmet coming off the rider's head in the event of a fall
or crash. If the helmet comes off, serious head injury could result.
Bell Sports is aware of one incident where the chin strap assembly
became detached from a helmet during a crash. No injury was reported.
These bike helmets are red, green, black, white and "Tear Away,"
which is multicolored. They were sold under the model names Rhythm,
Bellistic and Qualifier, which is written on their packaging. The
recalled helmets have date stickers inside reading October 1998 through
March 1999. "BELL" is written on the sides of these helmets and on the
visors.
Independent bicycle dealers nationwide sold these helmets from
October 1998 through April 1999 for between $90 and $125.
Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately, until they
are repaired or replaced. For more information, consumers should call
Bell Sports at (800) 456-BELL between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CDT Monday
through Friday. For a free replacement helmet, including shipping costs,
consumers should mail their helmets to Bell Sports Inc., Route 136 East,
Rantoul, IL 61866, ATTN: BMX Department. Consumers also can contact Bell
Sports through their website at www.bellsports.com.
Rhythm |
Qualifier |
Bellistic |
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