The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·01032·Announced 2000-11-17

CPSC Recalls Three Brands of Bicycle Helmets for Impact Test Failures

CPSC and three firms are recalling about 243,000 bicycle helmets that failed required impact testing. Riders are not adequately protected from falls and could suffer severe head injuries.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (helmets failing impact tests) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the 'High' severity criteria for products posing a risk of severe injury or death without confirmed incidents.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and three firms are recalling approximately 243,000 bicycle helmets, including Variflex Inc. "X-Games Aggressive" helmets, NHS TSG helmets, and First Team Sports "Guardian Junior" helmets. These helmets fail impact testing required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. As a result, riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls and could suffer severe head injuries or death.

The recalled helmets were sold nationwide at sporting good and discount department stores between October 1999 and October 2000. Variflex helmets were sold for about $20; NHS helmets for between $35 and $45; and First Team Sports helmets for about $25. CPSC and the firms are not aware of any injuries or incidents involving these helmets.

Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately. Variflex and First Team Sports helmets should be returned to the store where purchased for a refund or replacement (Variflex) or refund (First Team Sports). NHS helmets should be returned to NHS Inc. for a refund. For more information, consumers can call Variflex at (800) 248-5327, NHS at (831) 459-7800, or First Team Sports at (800) 528-5872.

The recalled product

Product
Variflex Inc. "X-Games Aggressive" Bicycle Helmets, NHS TSG Helmets, and First Team Sports "Guardian Junior Helmets"
Manufacturer
Variflex Inc., of Moorpark, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Bicycle Helmets
Hazard
Affected units
243,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · impact failure

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