CPSC recalls sparklers after Idahoans burned: “It exploded in my hand”
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SHELLEY – The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall notice after several people, including a Shelley man, were severely burned by sparklers sold by Jake’s Fireworks.
Bradley Cook was one of those hurt. Photos of the injuries on his left hand are difficult to see. His palm and fingers are covered with blisters and second degree burns after he said a sparkler exploded less than a second after he lit it.
“Something like this should never happen,” Cook said. “It was just so fast. I lit it and then it burned my hand in less than half a second. I dropped it and when I let go it kind of shot out because it ignited so quick.”
Cook and his wife bought the Yo-Yo Sparkler from a local fireworks stand on July 3.
Hours later, at 4:32 p.m., Jake’s Fireworks, the distributor, recalled the product.
On the company website, the recall reads:
“Return immediately to the location from which they were purchased for a full refund. Do not let children use this product. Unusual burn capacity can cause severe burns.”
Cook said since this happened, he’s learned of several other people in Idaho and across the country burned by these very same sparklers.
Doctors tell him it will take six to eight weeks for his hand to recover.
“So I’m out of work,” Cook said. “I’m a foreman at a local job out of Idaho Falls and the work I do I can’t do it one handed.”
Mike Baker, an attorney for Jake’s Fireworks, said once the company learned of injuries, they tested the Yo-Yo Sparkler and immediately took action.
“We went on our website to recall all of them,” said Baker. “We got in touch with as many of our sales people and vendors as we could. What concerned me most is that sparklers are usually handed to little kids.”
Fortunately, as far as the company knows, there have been no reports of children being injured.
Jake’s Fireworks wants anyone with the product to send the sparklers back for a full refund and Cook is speaking out to warn others about the product.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever buy a sparkler again,” Cook said. “You never know what’s gonna happen. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”
