June 15, 2004 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Reedy Quasar Pro Battery Chargers (charges batteries used to power remote control race cars)

Units: 4,900

Manufacturer: Associated Electrics Inc., of Costa Mesa, Calif.

Hazard: A defective fuse and program error in the charger can cause the battery packs being charged to overheat and explode, posing a risk of serious injury to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Associated Electrics has received three reports of incidents involving exploding battery cells. One consumer sustained a bruised hand, while another received an eye injury from flying debris.

Description: The recalled #611 Quasar Pro Chargers were manufactured from February 2002 through February 2004. The grey charger box has words "Quasar Pro" printed in yellow on the front and shows a display of "QUASAR PRO VERSION 1.0" when first turned on. The recalled chargers either have no barcode label on the underside or a barcode label with the numbers "611" or "611A".

Sold at: Hobby dealers nationwide from February 2002 through February 2004 for about $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the charger immediately and contact Associated Electrics to receive a free repair.

Consumer Contact: Call Associated Electrics at (800) 518-7339 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Website at www.teamassociated.com

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.