CPSC, Three Firms Announce Recall of Bicycle Helmets
The hazard
These helmets fail impact testing required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. Riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls, and could suffer severe head injuries or death.
Incidents reported: CPSC and these firms are not aware of any injuries or incidents involving these helmets.
What to do now
Variflex Inc.: Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately, and return them to the store where purchased, for a refund or replacement helmet. NHS: Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately and return them to NHS Inc., not to the store where purchased, for a refund. First Team Sports: Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately, and return them to the store where purchased, for a refund.
Contact: Variflex Inc.: For more information, call Variflex at (800) 248-5327 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. NHS: For more information and instructions on how to return the helmet, call NHS at (831) 459-7800 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. First Team Sports: For more information, call First Team Sports at (800) 528-5872 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
Product photos
Photos: U.S. CPSC
Full official description
Variflex Inc. "X-Games Aggressive" Bicycle Helmets: These helmets are either black, white or chrome. They have a red "X- Games" insignia on the front and "X-Games" is written on the back. A large label inside these helmets reads "SGS CPSC CY50159." And "Variflex Inc." "Static" and "Made in Taiwan" are written on the packaging. NHS TSG Helmets: The Metallic Gold and Gloss Black helmets have "TSG" written on the front and rear of the helmet. The Foundation Blue helmets have the word "Foundation" across the front and a star and moon on the side of the helmet. They have serial numbers beginning SN: 00170 or SN: 00171, and a date code of January, February and April 2000 written on the white label inside the helmets. First Team Sports "Guardian Junior Helmets": They are slate blue, and have "Guardian" written on the front and rear of the helmets. They have model numbers 007471, 007958, 009406, 009437, 009455 or 009830, and date code "2000/04" written on a label inside the helmets.