SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20230131-78DA2-2147351023. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Hedstrom Above bar code: IU1172, JINHUA, CHINA (Fluid filled gold glitter ball toy). Incident: I purchased a $1 fluid filled glitter ball from the Dollar General Store made by "Hedstrom", made in China and distributed by Old East Main Company, 100 Mission Ridge, Goodlettsville, TN. I used the "glitterball' to play with my granddaughter at her home. The first morning of use with my granddaughter I began smelling something like fire and smoke. My son was home with Strep that day and we searched all over for the cause of the smell, could not find it. During the weekend while my son, daughter-in-law and grandchild were home the ball was pulled out again and played with. My son's den/playroom is surrounded by large windows on three sides. The ball was left on the floor after play and sunlight was able to hit it due to the windows. My son and daughter-in-law began smelling the burning, smokey smell again while in the den and just so happened to look and see a puff of smoke coming up from their rug on the floor of the den. This ball was about to start a fire in their home. The fluid in the ball acts as some type of magnifier while the glitter acted as a mirror or reflector (I purchased the gold glitter ball). This ball is very dangerous. I can only imagine a grass fire this could cause if left outside during the summer in a dry area, or a house fire if left unattended near a window where sun may shine on it. This is a toy for children and may put children's lives in danger! I have placed this ball into a box and brought it to my home if you wish for me to send it to you so you may test it. I will be happy to do so. The address below is to my home, not that of my son's where