I saw a spot on TV about this. The Director of WATCH actually was stupid enough to launch the rocket inside, and was complaining the unpredicatability of the launch time. What a moron.
This thread motivated me to send him the following e-mail. You might want to send them one as well. Their e-mail address is
[email protected]
To Whom It May Concern:
As a professional aerospace researcher and a member of the National Association of Rocketrys Standards and Testing Committee, one of the two nationally recognized authorities that certifies the safety of model and high power rocket motors for consumer use in the US, I am appalled at your lack of professionalism and grandstanding.
While this toy does not come under our control, it appears that there are multiple safety warnings on the safe use of this product. It appears that your director, Mr. James Swartz, did not take the time to read the directions for this toy, and was actually stupid enough to fire a rocket inside a building at a press conference. Shame on him. What was he thinking?
https://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041117/media_nm/leisure_toys_dc_3
I have not personally seen the product, but their website states Always launch in a flat area, free of trees, bushes, electrical lines and low flying aircraft. I have every confidence that the toys instruction sheet mentions this as well. Whether explicitly stated or not, this means you dont use this product indoors. This toy is marketed as Totally fun for adults and kids with adult supervision on their website, and Im sure the same statement is on the product.
As Mr. Swartz is an adult, it would appear that the instructions need to make it clear that an adult is also required to read and follow the directions before operating the toy.
There are lots of unsafe toys without any labeling at all. I dont see how this toy makes anyones Worst Toy List, however I think Ill nominate Mr. Swartzs press conference to the Darwin Awards as one of the 10 most stupid PR stunts done in 2004.
Sincerely,
Bob Krech, NAR 78096 SR
Member, CMASS and NAR S&T
TARC 2005 Mentor
https://www.nar.org/
https://www.cmass.org/
https://nar.org/NARsandt.html
https://www.aia-aerospace.org/aianews/features/team_america/index.cfm
Robert Harry Krech, Principal Scientist
Manager ATOX Irradiation Services, Inc.
Physical Sciences, Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810 USA
https://www.psicorp.com/products/services_fast.shtml