CPSC Recall in 1998: CPSC, Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. Announce Recall of Children's Vampire Capes and Witch Brooms

Updated on January 18, 2026.

See the recall details below. You can also see similar information for other consumer product recalls in 1998.

Data Source: CPSC.

Recall Number: 99-013

Date: October 27, 1998

Product Name: Children's vampire capes and witch brooms

Recall Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rubie's Costume Co. Inc., of Richmond Hill, N.Y., is recalling about 6,000 children's vampire capes and about 6,000 children's witch brooms. The capes and the brooms, which fail to meet federal mandatory standards for flammability, could ignite readily and present a serious risk of burn injuries to children. CPSC and Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these capes or brooms. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The vampire capes are made of black vinyl. The edges of the cape are scalloped. The capes are packaged in a plastic sleeve with a cardboard insert, which reads in part, "Child's Vinyl Vampire Cape...No. 50282...Made in China." The Rubies logo and a picture of a boy wearing the cape are also on the insert. The witch brooms are 27 inches long with a bamboo handle and brush made of twigs. The brooms were sold with a sticker around the handle, which reads in part, "Child's Authentic Witch Broom...Style No. 85." The Rubies logo is also on the sticker. Toy, party, costume, discount and drug stores nationwide sold the capes and brooms for about $2 each from September 1997 to October 1998. Consumers should not let their children wear the vampire capes or use the 27-inch witch brooms this Halloween. Consumers should return the products to the stores where purchased for a refund. For questions about this recall, consumers should call Rubies Costume Co. Inc. collect at (516) 488-0484 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

Hazard Description:

The capes and the brooms, which fail to meet federal mandatory standards for flammability, could ignite readily and present a serious risk of burn injuries to children.

Consumer Action:

Remedy Type:

Refund

Units: About 6,000 capes and 6,000 brooms

Incidents:

CPSC and Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these capes or brooms.

Sold At:

Toy, party, costume, discount and drug stores nationwide sold the capes and brooms for about $2 each from September 1997 to October 1998.

Manufactured In:

China