In subrogation cases where the insured’s damages were caused by a defective product, the fact that the product at issue is or was subject to a recall announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may help to establish that the product was defective when it left the manufacturer’s possession and control. On October 20, 2022, the CPSC announced the following recalls related to products that present fire hazards:

1. Gel Blaster Recalls Gel Blaster SURGE Model 1.0 Toy Guns Due to Fire Hazard. According to the CPSC’s website, “[t]he lithium-ion battery pack inside the handle can overheat and ignite, posing a fire hazard.”

2. Backyard Nature Products Recalls Birds Choice Acrylic Bird Baths Due to Fire Hazard. According to the CPSC’s website, “[w]hen sunlight goes through the recalled bird bath’s acrylic surfaces onto nearby wooden surfaces, such as siding or decking, the wood surface can overheat, posing a fire hazard.”