ATTENTION
ORION SKYBLAZER XLT OWNERS —
SAFETY NOTICE AND PRODUCT QUARANTINE
September 26, 2008
Orion Safety Products, manufacturer
of the Skyblazer hand-launched red aerial flare (“Skyblazer”),
has received a report indicating the safety sleeve on the Skyblazer
may become detached from the launch tube body during ignition (see
diagram below for visual depiction of parts). A report from the
field indicates that upon this occurrence, users experienced bruised
knuckles, a punctured finger nail and a lacerated finger in at
least one instance.
Orion is currently focusing on Skyblazer production occurring
since April 2008 and is working closely with its injection molder
for the Skyblazer plastic parts to determine what the cause of
the problem may be and when it first appeared. The detachment of
the safety sleeve from the launch tube body does not affect flare
performance (i.e., altitude, candela, burn time). This problem
is specific to the Skyblazer signal and does not affect any other
Orion products.
To the extent much remains unknown at present, Orion is recommending
that all retailers, distributors and dealers of the Skyblazer product
remove such product from their shelves and discontinue the sale
of this product to the marketplace at this time. Orion will notify
all such parties as to the proper disposition of this product once
the investigation has sufficiently progressed.
Orion has not instituted a recall of the Skyblazer product at
this time. For product users that are in emergency situations,
Orion suggests that the Skyblazer signal only be used if alternative
emergency distress signals are unavailable. For added protection,
if Skyblazer signals must be used, Orion suggests:
• The user hold the signal body (not
the sleeve) tightly in the upper hand during launch
• Gloves be worn to protect the lower hand (the hand pulling
the ignition chain) from being jammed against the launch tube body
and ignition chain following ignition
Orion is critically concerned about the safety of our customers.
We are notifying the U.S. Coast Guard of this problem and will
be posting updates and consumer information on the Orion website
at www.orionsignals.com. We want to make certain more Skyblazers
are not sold until the cause of the current problem is known and
remedied. We want to make certain that current product users relying
on the Skyblazer product are not put at unnecessary risk. We thank
you for your patience and understanding while we continue our investigation
of this matter.
 
Orion Safety Products
Peru Plant
3157 North 500 West Peru,
IN 46970-7559
(800) 851-5260
www.orionsignals.com |
