Recall Radar

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

Recall 99-013 · October 28, 1998 · Rubie's Costume

What to doConsumers 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.

Read the official CPSC notice

Recall at a glance

Recall number
99-013 (CPSC)
Recall date
October 28, 1998
Brand
Rubie's Costume
Category
Clothing and accessories
Products
Children's vampire capes and witch brooms
Hazard
Fire and burn hazard
Hazard type
Fire and burn
Units
About 6,000 capes and 6,000 brooms
Made in
China
Last updated by CPSC
October 21, 2026

What was recalled

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 Rubie's 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 Rubie's logo is also on the sticker.

Is my product affected?

Compare your product with the details below, including model numbers where listed.

  • Children's vampire capes and witch brooms · About 6,000 capes and 6,000 brooms units

Photos from the recall notice

Where it was sold

Companies named in the notice: Toy, party, costume, discount and drug stores nationwide sold the capes and brooms for about $2 each, from September 1997 to October 1998.; Rubie's Costume Co. Inc., of Richmond Hill, N.Y..

Injuries or incidents reported

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

Consumer contact

For questions about this recall, consumers should call Rubie's Costume Co. Inc. collect at (516) 488-0484 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

Recall history and context

Since 2019 CPSC has recorded 136 recalls in the clothing and accessories category, 19 recalls of them in the past 12 months.

Frequently asked questions

What was recalled?

Children's vampire capes and witch brooms (About 6,000 capes and 6,000 brooms units). The vampire capes are made of black vinyl.

Why was it recalled?

CPSC lists the reason as: Fire and burn hazard.

What should I do if I own one?

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.

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Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall data, shown as published and last updated by CPSC on October 21, 2026. Details can change; the official notice is the authority. If your product may be recalled, stop and read the notice before deciding what to do. Terms and disclaimer.