Nintendo of America Initiates Replacement Program for Wrist Straps Used with Controllers for the Wii Video Game System
The hazard
If consumers swing the hand-held "Wii Remote" game controllers using excessive force and accidentally let go, the cord connecting the controller to the wrist strap can break, potentially causing the controller to strike bystanders or objects.
Incidents reported: Nintendo has received reports of cords on wrist straps breaking, including three reports of minor injuries not requiring medical attention. All of these incidents occurred when consumers were playing the game, "Wii Sports."
What to do now
Consumers should contact the firm for a replacement wrist strap.
Contact: For more information, contact Nintendo toll-free at (800) 859-4519 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. PT, or visit their Web site at www.support.nintendo.com
About this recall
The wrist straps are sold with Nintendo's Wii video game system (pronounced "we"). Its controller, called the Wii Remote, is shaped like a TV remote. Sensors determine the Wii Remote's position in 3-D space, which means that a tennis swing, for example, is done through movement of a consumer's hand rather than by just fingers and thumbs. The cords on the wrist straps included in this program are 0.6 mm in diameter. The replacement cords are 1.0 mm in diameter (see photo).
Product photos
Photos: U.S. CPSC