Super soakers sold at Target are being recalled

If you loaded up on outdoor toys and games to keep your family entertained while spending this summer at home, you may want to check your toy chest. Hasbro is recalling some of its popular water guns, and the reason for the recall might surprise you.

On Aug. 19, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Hasbro is recalling two Super Soaker models, which were sold exclusively at Target.

The purpose of the recall is that the decorative stickers adhered to the water tanks of the toys might contain levels of lead that exceed regulatory limits.

There are two models of the toy included in this recall:

• The Nerf Super Soaker XP20 Water Blaster, which is a green and orange handheld water gun with an air-pressurized pump handle.

• The Nerf Super Soaker XP30 Water Blaster, which is an orange and blue handheld water gun with an air-pressurized nozzle.

Hasbro states that the stickers were sourced from an unauthorized supplier by a third-party manufacturer without the company’s consent, violating its quality assurance procedures and requirements.

Hasbro claims that the company immediately launched an investigation upon learning of the potential issues. It implemented precautionary measures to contain the problem, and started a re-training process for its entire supply chain to prevent future incidents.

The toys were sold at Target stores across the U.S. between March and July 2020.

If you have one of the water blasters, you should stop using it immediately and contact Hasbro for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund. You will be asked to unscrew the tank from the Super Soaker and return just the tank to the manufacturer with a postage-paid label that Hasbro will provide.

You can reach Hasbro Inc. by phone at 888-664-3323 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on Fridays. Alternatively, you can send an email to SuperSoakerRecall@Hasbro.com.