Victor animal traps

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hurt, no treatment

   Made Nov 4, 2011 · , sent to the company Jun 1, 2012 · , published by CPSC Jun 15, 2012

   The product, in the report: Victor Electronic Rat Trap Model No. M240 sold at Home Depot for $39.99.

   Electronic Rat Trap, Model M240, Victor Brand, Distributed by Woodstream.

   I received a serious shock while attempting to put (4) “c” batteries in a newly purchased Electronic Rat Trap designed to electrocute a rat. I could not tell if unit switch was in on or off position because I do not understand universal symbols for ON or OFF. I looked all over package for an explanation of universal on/off symbols but there is no information. Also there was no product insert sheet inside the box. I decided to attempt putting batteries in while being really careful as I did not know if unit switch was in the ON or OFF position.

   I removed the battery compartment cover. Battery compartment reveals space for 4 batteries inside a plastic track. The sides of the plastic track are bent in really tight and you have to force first the positive ground battery in one side of track, then hold the negative side of battery against the spring and force battery down into track. This is very difficult to do because of the plastic sides of the track also pushing in and blocking easy insertion of the batteries. So you are dealing with tight battery track at same time as forcing tight batteries end to end.

   Got the first two batteries in. Started attempting to get second two batteries in. Got the first one while pushing out on the plastic track and down on the battery.

   While attempting to get the 4th battery in I had to again force the plastic track out and attempt to force the 4th battery against the large firm spring and down into the track behind the already installed 3rd battery. It was at this point that my hand slipped and my fingers touched something (i presume it was the inside electrocution plate that is meant kill the rat. I got a serious shock and the product flew out of my hands onto the floor.

   This product is seriously dangerous. It says all over it that it can kill small animals other than rats. It warns of electromagnetic waves and possible damage to pacemakers. It tells to be sure to remove the batteries when loading bait and yet there is none of the following:

   1. No product sheet to explain in various languages how to tell if the unit is on or off before loading. This information is probably available on the internet but should be plainly available on the package as not everyone has the internet and the consumer should not have to search for this information. 2. No warning to be sure not to let your hand slip and touch the plates while trying to load the difficult battery assembly.

   3. No temporary cover over the openings where the rat goes in that could be used to shield from this accidental shock when hand slipped while trying to load the tight, difficult battery compartment.

   In my opinion this product should be recalled for serious lack of safety considerations and incomplete safety warnings and preventative measures.

   It would be a simple matter to put a snap on plastic cover on each end of the until to be removed after loading the batteries.

   It would be a simple matter to include an explanation of the on/off symbols in plain English, Spanish etc.

   Furthermore, when I reported this to the manufacturer the customer service rep said that the only complaints they had were that the unit won’t work if the peanut butter falls on the back metal plate. The only instruction on baiting says “Insert a small amount of peanut butter through the bottom hole on back of trap”. It does not say anything about making sure the peanut butter does not run onto or fall onto the back plate. If I had gotten to the point of putting the peanut butter in I would have figured I was suppose to put the peanut butter through the hole and ONTO the back plate. I guess we are suppose to figure out for ourselves that we are to poke the peanut butter through the hole and make it stick to the inside of the back vertical plate some how. Additionally the picture shows about a teaspoon of peanut butter. If your peanut butter is the natural kind it most certainly would run onto the back plate. It says to remove the batteries before baiting. I could find no where on the box that it says not to let the peanut butter touch the bottom plate. I can imagine it is real easy for the peanut butter to fall while trying to put these difficult batteries back in the unit after inserting the peanut butter.

   Dangerous Unit! Should be redesigned so that children cannot put their hand inside or a small kitten could not put their paw inside trying to get at the peanut butter or play with the dead rat. Should include more detailed safety and use instructions. Battery compartment should be made easier to load batteries.

   Model

   Electronic Rat Trap M240

   UPC

   072868132407

   Bought from

   Home Depot

   Bought

   Oct 31, 2011

   Where

   Aguanga, California: Mobile/Manufactured Home

   Who was involved

   Age 59, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Victor, made or sold by WOODSTREAM CORPORATION

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources