What was recalled
In late November 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a significant recall involving promotional children’s projector flashlights manufactured by Halo. This action was taken because these specific items, which were designed to entertain young audiences with projected images, contained internal components that posed serious safety risks. The recalled products are not standard retail toys found on general shelves; rather, they were distributed as part of special promotional bundles. Specifically, these flashlights were included in Disney-branded care packages. These packages were likely given away or sold as part of marketing campaigns, containing a variety of items such as tote bags, silicone wristbands, playing cards, ink pens, journals, wall decals, and postcards, with the flashlight serving as one component of that larger set.
The recall covers five distinct models of these projector flashlights, each themed around popular children’s franchises. The specific models affected are those featuring Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Avengers, and ESPN branding. Visually, these items are easy to identify if you have them from the original package. They measure approximately 3 inches in length and .5 inches in diameter. The casing comes in one of three colors: red, dark blue, or light blue. One end of the device features a keychain attachment, while the other end houses the flashlight projector mechanism. To help consumers identify their specific unit, the model name corresponding to the theme (such as "Star Wars" or "Disney") is imprinted directly on the middle section of the flashlight body.
A critical detail for identification is what lies inside the device. Each recalled flashlight contains four button cell batteries, specifically identified by the model number LR41. These small, coin-sized batteries are the primary reason for the recall, as they can be accessed if a child manages to disassemble the projector flashlight. The total number of units involved in this recall is not explicitly stated in the current public record, but the scope is significant given the nature of promotional distribution. If you received a Disney care package during or around December 2021 that included one of these themed flashlights, it falls under this safety notice. It is important to check the middle of the device for the imprinted model name and to be aware that despite their playful appearance, these items are no longer safe for use due to the accessible battery hazard.
The hazard, explained
The core issue with these Halo promotional projector flashlights lies in the accessibility of their power source. Inside each unit, there are four button cell batteries (specifically model LR41). While button batteries are common and generally safe when secured inside properly designed electronics, they become extremely dangerous if a child can reach them. In this specific case, the flashlight’s construction allows a child to disassemble the device and gain direct access to these small, coin-sized power cells.
Once the casing is opened or broken, the batteries are no longer trapped inside the plastic housing. This creates two distinct pathways for injury: choking and ingestion. Because the batteries are small enough to fit entirely into a young child’s mouth, they can easily become lodged in the throat or airway, leading to immediate choking. However, the more severe and often less obvious danger is ingestion. Children are naturally curious and may swallow the battery, either accidentally or because it looks like candy.
If swallowed, button cell batteries pose a life-threatening medical emergency. Unlike other small objects that might pass through the digestive system harmlessly, button batteries can cause rapid and severe internal tissue damage. When a battery comes into contact with moisture in the esophagus or stomach, it generates an electrical current that leads to a chemical reaction. This process, known as liquefactive necrosis, essentially burns the surrounding tissue from the inside out. Damage can occur within just two hours of ingestion, potentially causing perforations (holes) in the esophagus, bleeding, and permanent injury to nearby structures like the aorta.
The CPSC report confirms that this is not merely a theoretical risk. The manufacturer has already received two reports of children accessing these batteries from the flashlight. In one documented case, the hazard materialized into a serious medical event: a child swallowed a battery and required surgery to remove it. This highlights why the ingestion hazard is taken so seriously by safety regulators. The combination of easy access due to the flashlight’s design and the catastrophic potential of button battery ingestion makes this recall urgent. It is critical that these devices are removed from reach immediately to prevent any further incidents.
Who is most at risk
The primary group at immediate risk from this recall is any child with access to the recalled Halo promotional projector flashlights. These devices were specifically marketed and distributed as part of Disney-branded care packages, meaning they were intended for young audiences who are naturally drawn to bright lights, familiar characters, and portable toys. The hazard is not abstract; it stems directly from the developmental stage of childhood. Young children, particularly those under the age of three or four, explore the world through their mouths and lack the fine motor skills and cognitive awareness to understand the dangers of small, hard objects. When a child encounters a toy that appears easy to open, such as a flashlight with a simple casing, they are likely to disassemble it without realizing that the components inside are not meant to be handled.
The specific danger lies in the four LR41 button cell batteries housed within the unit. For a child, these batteries look like shiny, metallic candies or small coins. The ingestion of a button battery is a medical emergency because these cells can generate an electrical current when they come into contact with bodily fluids. This reaction causes rapid chemical burns to the esophagus and surrounding tissues, which can lead to severe internal injury or death within just two hours. The fact that Halo has already received reports of children accessing these batteries underscores that this is not a theoretical risk but an active one. In one documented case, a child required surgery to remove a swallowed battery, highlighting the serious physical trauma that can result from even a brief exposure.
While the primary victims are children who directly handle the toy, parents and caregivers also bear significant responsibility and risk. The recall notes that these flashlights were included in care packages alongside items like tote bags, wristbands, and journals. This suggests that the product was often given as a gift or part of a promotional event where adults might not immediately inspect every component for safety hazards. Caregivers may assume that any battery-operated toy sold in a retail or promotional setting meets all standard safety regulations, making them less vigilant during initial use. Furthermore, if multiple children are present in a household, the risk multiplies; one child’s curiosity can lead to the disassembly of the device, exposing siblings to the same choking and ingestion hazards. Therefore, anyone who has received this Disney care package or owns one of the five specific models—Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Avengers, or ESPN—must treat the item with extreme caution until it is properly returned.
It is also important to consider children with special needs or developmental delays who may have a heightened tendency toward mouthing objects or who may struggle more with understanding warnings. These children are often less able to differentiate between a toy part and an edible item, making the sleek, metallic appearance of the LR41 batteries particularly deceptive. The combination of the toy’s appealing design and the hidden danger creates a perfect storm for accidents. Consequently, no child should be allowed near these flashlights, regardless of their age or developmental level, until the remedy outlined by Halo is completed.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Because these projector flashlights were distributed as part of promotional care packages rather than sold individually in standard retail aisles, identifying the specific hazard requires a bit more attention to detail than checking a barcode on a grocery shelf. The first thing you should do is look for the brand name "Halo" imprinted on the device itself. These are not generic toys; they are branded promotional items designed to appeal to children through popular media franchises. If you have one of these flashlights, it will likely feature imagery or branding associated with one of five specific properties: Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Avengers, or ESPN. The model name corresponding to the franchise is clearly imprinted on the middle section of the flashlight body, so check there first to confirm which version you possess.
Next, examine the physical design and dimensions carefully. All recalled units share a very specific form factor that makes them easy to spot if you know what to look for. The device should be approximately 3 inches long and .5 inches in diameter. It is designed with a dual-function end: one end features a keychain attachment point, while the opposite end houses the flashlight projector lens. You will find these flashlights in one of three colors: red, dark blue, or light blue. If your item looks like a standard plastic toy pen or keychain fob that fits this size profile, it is a strong candidate for recall.
The most critical step in identification involves opening the device to check the power source. The hazard exists because children can disassemble the flashlight to access the internal batteries. Inside the casing, you should find four button cell batteries with the model number LR41. If you open the battery compartment and see these specific small, round batteries, combined with the other physical characteristics mentioned above, your item is definitely part of this recall. It is also worth noting that these items were often bundled as part of a larger Disney-branded care package. If you received a tote bag, silicone wristband, playing cards, ink pen, journal, wall decals, or postcards along with this flashlight, it further confirms the origin of the item. Do not assume that because it was given away for free or included in a gift set that it is safe; the CPSC has determined that the risk of button battery ingestion and choking is severe enough to warrant a full recall regardless of how you acquired it.
If you are unsure whether your flashlight matches these descriptions, particularly regarding the battery type or the imprinted model name, it is safer to treat it as recalled. The consequences of misidentifying a button battery hazard are too serious to gamble on. Once you have confirmed that your item matches the description—Halo brand, one of the five franchise models, 3-inch length, and containing LR41 batteries—you should stop using it immediately and proceed to the remedy steps outlined in this article.
What to do — step by step
If you have one of the recalled Halo promotional children’s projector flashlights, your immediate priority is simple: keep it away from any children under six years old right now. The risk here is not theoretical; as noted in the incident reports, this specific design flaw allows kids to disassemble the unit and access the button cell batteries inside. These small, powerful batteries can cause severe internal burns or worse if swallowed. Therefore, do not attempt to fix the device yourself, and do not try to give it to an older sibling who might still be curious about how it works. The safest first step is to remove the flashlight from your home’s reachable areas entirely. Place it in a locked cabinet, a high shelf that requires a ladder to access, or simply hand it over to a trusted adult to hold until you are ready to process the return. Stopping use immediately is the only way to ensure no one gets hurt while you figure out the logistics of the recall. Once the item is safely stored away from children, you need to initiate the refund and return process with Halo. This is not a complicated procedure, but it does require you to take action on your part. You have three convenient ways to contact them: call their toll-free number at 855-425-6266 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday; send an email to halo.safety@halo.com; or visit their dedicated recall page at https://halo.com/flashlightrecall. If you prefer browsing the main site, you can also go to http://www.halo.com and click on "Safety Recall" at the bottom of the page. When you reach out, clearly state that you have a recalled projector flashlight and wish to return it for the offered remedy. Halo has structured this recall to be consumer-friendly, so you do not need to pay for shipping. Upon contacting them and following their instructions, they will provide you with a pre-paid shipping label. This means you simply print the label (or receive it digitally, depending on their current process), attach it to your package containing the flashlight, and drop it off at the designated carrier. There is no cost to you for returning the hazardous item. Once Halo receives your return, they will issue a full refund for the product. Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill and to acknowledge the inconvenience, they will send you a $5 gift card redeemable at a major national retailer. This gift card is separate from your refund and serves as compensation for your time and effort in complying with the safety recall. It is important to complete these steps promptly. While the flashlight itself is not dangerous if left alone on a shelf, the potential for a child to retrieve it and disassemble it remains until it is removed from your home. By following these steps—stopping use, contacting Halo via phone, email, or online, using the provided pre-paid label, and awaiting your refund and gift card—you are not only protecting your children but also helping ensure that other families do not encounter this hazard. Do not delay in reaching out to Halo; their customer service team is equipped to handle these requests during their stated business hours. If you have any questions about the process, the contact information provided above is the authoritative source for guidance.Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you have one of the recalled Halo promotional children’s projector flashlights, it is important to understand exactly how the company intends to make things right for you. In this specific recall initiated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there is no option for a simple repair or a direct replacement unit sent back to your home. Instead, the remedy provided by Halo is designed to completely remove the hazard from your life while offering a tangible form of compensation for the inconvenience and the broken product.
The core of the resolution is a full refund for the item itself. However, because these projector flashlights were typically distributed as part of larger promotional packages—such as Disney-branded care kits that included tote bags, wristbands, cards, and other items—you might be wondering if you need to return every single thing in that box. The remedy specifically targets the flashlight. You are instructed to contact Halo to initiate a return process for the projector flashlight only. To make this as easy as possible for consumers who may feel frustrated by the safety issue, Halo provides a pre-paid shipping label. This means you do not have to pay out of pocket to send the dangerous item back; they cover the cost of returning it to their facility.
Once you have contacted them and arranged for the return of the flashlight, there is an additional layer to the remedy that goes beyond a simple refund. Upon the successful return of the projector flashlight, Halo will send you a $5 gift card. This gift card is redeemable at a major national retailer. It is worth noting that while this gift card serves as a gesture of goodwill and compensation for the trouble caused by the recall, it is separate from the financial value of the recalled item itself. The primary goal here is safety: getting the button cell batteries out of reach of children immediately.
To access these remedies, you must take specific steps to connect with Halo directly. You have three reliable ways to do this. First, you can call their toll-free line at 855-425-6266. It is helpful to know that they are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, so you may need to plan your call around these hours if you are in a different time zone. Second, you can reach them via email at halo.safety@halo.com. This is often a good option if you prefer to have a written record of your communication or if you need more time to gather details about the product. Finally, you can visit their website directly. You can go to https://halo.com/flashlightrecall or navigate to http://www.halo.com and look for the "Safety Recall" link located at the bottom of the page. These digital channels will provide you with the necessary instructions and the pre-paid shipping label mentioned above.
The reason this process is structured as a return-for-gift-card model rather than a repair is rooted in the nature of the hazard. The flashlight contains four button cell batteries (model number LR41) that can be accessed if a child disassembles the device. Because the design flaw allows for easy access to these small, powerful batteries, which pose a severe ingestion and choking risk, simply fixing the casing might not guarantee long-term safety for all users. Therefore, the company has chosen to withdraw the product entirely from your possession. By taking the flashlight away and stopping its use immediately, you eliminate the risk of another child accessing the batteries. The $5 gift card is intended to acknowledge that while the item was free or low-cost as part of a promotion, the time and effort you spend dealing with the recall have value.
When you contact Halo, be prepared to provide some basic information about the product to help them verify your eligibility. Although the remedy does not explicitly list required documentation, it is wise to have the model name ready, as these were imprinted on the middle of the flashlight. The recalled models include those themed around Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Avengers, and ESPN. Knowing which theme you have can help customer service agents locate your specific recall details faster. Remember, the urgency here is not just about getting your gift card; it is about ensuring that no child in your household or among your friends and family can come into contact with the exposed button cell batteries. The surgery required for one child who swallowed a battery highlights why this remedy must be taken seriously and promptly.
What can happen if you ignore it
It is easy to look at a promotional item like the Halo projector flashlight and dismiss it as merely a cheap toy or a novelty gift. When these items are given away in care packages or handed out at events, they often sit in drawers or under beds for months, forgotten until a child stumbles upon them later. Ignoring the recall warning implies continuing to allow access to these devices, which transforms a harmless-looking plastic tube into a serious safety risk. The core danger lies not in the flashlight’s light or its projector function, but in its internal construction. Because the casing can be disassembled by a child, the four LR41 button cell batteries inside become accessible. These are not standard AA or AAA batteries; they are small, coin-shaped power sources that fit easily into a toddler’s mouth and can slip down the throat unnoticed. The consequences of ignoring this hazard are immediate and severe. If a child ingests a button battery, it is not simply a matter of choking on a hard object. Button batteries can cause rapid and irreversible tissue damage within just two hours of ingestion. As the battery makes contact with moist bodily tissues, it generates an electrical current that creates a chemical burn. This process can perforate the esophagus or damage major blood vessels nearby, leading to life-threatening complications such as massive bleeding or permanent structural damage to the airway and digestive tract. The reality of this risk is not theoretical; the manufacturer has already confirmed incidents where children accessed these batteries from the recalled flashlights. In one documented case, the situation escalated beyond a simple scare, requiring surgical intervention to remove the swallowed battery. This highlights that the window for safe recovery closes quickly, and delayed action significantly increases the likelihood of permanent injury or death. Furthermore, ignoring the recall means missing out on the remedy designed to protect your family while providing compensation. By continuing to use the product, you are essentially gambling with a known defect. The company has offered a full refund and an additional $5 gift card as part of their corrective action plan. Choosing to keep the flashlight instead of returning it means you retain a hazardous item that requires no repair—it only needs removal from your home. The risk is entirely preventable. There is no benefit to keeping a disassemblable toy with accessible high-power batteries in a household with young children. The potential for a medical emergency, the stress of an urgent hospital visit, and the possibility of lifelong health complications far outweigh any nostalgia or utility associated with the promotional gift. Taking action now eliminates the threat entirely, whereas ignoring it leaves a silent, dangerous hazard lurking in your home.Staying safe: broader tips
The recall of promotional projector flashlights highlights a very common but often overlooked danger in modern consumer goods: the accessibility of small, powerful batteries. While this specific incident involved Halo’s branded items, the underlying safety principle applies to countless products we bring into our homes daily, from musical greeting cards and remote controls to children’s electronic toys and kitchen scales. The core lesson here is that the convenience of a free gift or a compact design should never compromise the integrity of battery compartments, especially in items intended for or accessible by young children.
To proactively protect your household, start by auditing the electronics you already own. Look closely at any device that uses button cell or coin batteries (often labeled as LR41, CR2032, or similar). The most critical safety feature is a screw-secured compartment. If a battery door can be opened with your fingernail or by simply pulling it back, it is not safe for homes with curious toddlers. Children are naturally inquisitive and may view these small, shiny objects as toys or candy. Once they gain access, the risk is immediate and severe. Button batteries can cause serious internal burns within just two hours of ingestion due to their electrical charge interacting with bodily fluids. Therefore, any product that allows easy removal of these batteries should be kept out of reach or replaced with a safer alternative.
Regularly scheduled "safety sweeps" are another effective habit. Once a month, take five minutes to inspect the toys and gadgets your children play with most often. Check for loose screws, cracked casings, or worn battery covers. If you notice that a compartment is becoming easier to open due to wear and tear, stop using the item immediately. Do not wait for a recall notice to act on visible signs of compromise. Additionally, consider purchasing toys from reputable manufacturers who adhere to strict safety standards, such as those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These companies typically invest in secure, tool-only battery access points specifically to prevent accidental ingestion.
Finally, stay informed by subscribing to official recall alerts. The CPSC regularly updates its database with new recalls, and signing up for email notifications ensures you are among the first to know if a product you own becomes hazardous. You can also register your major appliances and electronics directly with the manufacturers; this ensures that if a safety issue is discovered later in the product’s life cycle, they can contact you directly rather than relying on public notices alone. Being proactive about these small details transforms passive ownership into active protection for your family.