The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·99013·Announced 1998-10-28

Rubie's Recalls Children's Vampire Capes and Witch Brooms for Fire Risk

Rubie's Costume is recalling about 12,000 children's vampire capes and witch brooms because they fail federal flammability standards and could cause burn 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 (fire/burn) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the High severity criteria in the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. is recalling approximately 6,000 children's vampire capes and 6,000 children's witch brooms in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The products fail to meet federal mandatory standards for flammability, meaning they could ignite readily and present a serious risk of burn injuries to children.

The vampire capes are made of black vinyl with scalloped edges and were packaged in a plastic sleeve with a cardboard insert labeled "Child's Vinyl Vampire Cape...No. 50282...Made in China." The witch brooms are 27 inches long with a bamboo handle and twig brush, sold with a sticker reading "Child's Authentic Witch Broom...Style No. 85." Both items feature the Rubies logo.

These products were sold at toy, party, costume, discount, and drug stores nationwide for about $2 each from September 1997 to October 1998. CPSC and Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these items, and the recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. Consumers should not let their children wear the capes or use the brooms and should return the products to the stores where purchased for a refund.

The recalled product

Product
Rubies children's vampire capes
Manufacturer
Rubie's Costume
Category
Consumer Product — Children's Costumes
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

See all →