December 2008 Recalls and Product Safety News

• Boys Reversible Vests Recalled by Bon-Ton Stores Due to Choking Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Bon-Ton Department Stores Inc., of York, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 5,000 Boy’s Reversible Vests. The zipper tabs on these vests fail to meet the children's torques test standards, posing a choking hazard to children.

• Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 64,000 Wiring a House, 3rd Edition and Wiring Complete, Expert Advice from Start to Finish Instructional Books. The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

  • Fire Alarm Control Panels Recalled by Notifier Due to Alert Failure

    In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Notifier, of Northford, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 2,000 Notifier Fire Alarm Control Panels. The software in the fire alarm system could fail to process an alarm condition which could result in the system failing to respond in the event of a fire.

    • Atomic Skis USA Recalls Ski Bindings Due to Unexpected Release, Fall Hazard

      In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Atomic Skis GmbH, of Austria, is voluntarily recalling about 125,000 (an additional 1.0 million were sold outside the U.S.) Alpine Ski Bindings. The heel housing of the bindings can crack, causing the binding to release unexpectedly. This can cause the skier to lose control or fall and suffer injuries.

      •  Woodstock Percussion Inc. Recalls Toy Drums Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woodstock Percussion Inc., of Shokan, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 2,800 Calypso Steel Drums. Surface paint on the recalled toy drums contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

        • Munire Recalls “Newport” Cribs and Matching Furniture Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

          In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Munire Furniture Inc, of Piscataway, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 3,000 Cribs and 6,000 Matching Furniture Pieces. The red paint which is underneath the black finish paint on some of the cribs and matching furniture exceeds federal lead limits. If ingested by young children lead can cause adverse health effects.

          • Gardener’s Supply Company Recalls Candle-Powered Carousels Due to Fire Hazard

            In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gardener’s Supply Co., of Burlington, Vt., is voluntarily recalling about 1,500 Candle-Powered Carousels. The candle holder placement on the base of the carousels is too close to the structure, allowing the candle flame to come in contact and ignite different parts of the carousel, including the fans, trees and deer, posing a fire hazard.

            • Hallmark Recalls Jumbo Snow Globes Due to Fire Hazard

              In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hallmark Cards Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 7,000 Jumbo Snowman Snow Globes. When exposed to sunlight, the snow globes can act as a magnifying glass and ignite nearby combustible materials, posing a fire hazard.

              • Foursquare Recalls Hooded Youth Jackets with Drawstrings Due to Strangulation Hazard

                In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Foursquare Outerwear, of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,300 Foursquare Hooded Jackets. The jackets have a drawstring through hood which poses a strangulation hazard to children.

                • Teknion Recalls to Repair Office Chairs Due to Fall Hazard

                  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Teknion LLC, of Toronto, Canada, is voluntarily recalling about 60,000 Contessa Office Chairs. The bolts holding the seat to the frame can loosen and separate, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

                  • Magura USA Recalls Bicycle Suspension Forks Due to Crash Hazard

                    In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Magura USA, of Olney, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 320 Durin Race 80/100 Bicycle Suspension Forks. The front bicycle suspension fork can break, causing the rider to crash.

                    •  Children’s Jewelry Sold Exclusively in Hawaii Recalled by Aloha 808 Trading Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

                      In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Aloha 808 Trading, of Honolulu, Hawaii, is voluntarily recalling about 12,800 pieces of Children’s Jewelry. The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

                      • CPSC & Target Announce New In-Store Recall Notification System

                        The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is joining Target, of Minneapolis, Minn., today in announcing a new notification system for communicating product recalls in Target stores nationwide. Target’s innovative safety and recall notification program involves posting signs throughout its stores that direct guests to gift registry kiosks near the Guest Service desk to learn about recalled products.

                        • Evenflo Recalls Majestic™ High Chairs Due to Fall and Choking Hazards

                          In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Evenflo Company Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 95,000 Evenflo Majestic™ High Chairs. Plastic caps and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can loosen and fall out, posing both fall and choking hazards to children. Plastic caps and screws that become loose and fall out can cause the seatback to suddenly fall back or detach from the high chair. Children can fall out or collide with objects and suffer broken bones, abrasions, cuts and bruises. Detached plastic caps and metal screws also pose a choking hazard to children.

                          • Fingerhut Recalls Chef’s Mark Cookware Sets Due to Burn Hazard

                            In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fingerhut Direct Marketing, of Eden Prairie, Minn. , is voluntarily recalling about 9,000 Chef’s Mark® 15 piece cookware sets. Fingerhut has received six reports of handles breaking including three reports of minor burn injuries to consumers.

                            • Xtreme Toy Zone Recalls Toy Dinosaurs Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

                              In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Xtreme Toy Zone, of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 480 “Dinosaur Epoch” Toy Dinosaurs. Surface paint on the toy dinosaurs can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

                              • Regal Lager Recall to Replace Phil & Teds Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

                                In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Regal Lager Inc., of Kennesaw, Ga., is voluntarily recalling 1,600 Phil & Teds Dash Buggy Strollers. The frame handle could fail to latch properly and break, posing a fall hazard to small children.

                                • Grease Removers Recalled by Fantastic Distributors Due to Chemical Burn Hazard

                                  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fantastic Distributors, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 245,000 “Bagi Shumanit” Super Cold Grease Removers. Direct contact with this substance can cause burns to consumers’ skin and eyes. The product lacks required special packaging and warning label.

                                  • Arctic Cat Recalls Snowmobiles Due to Fire Hazard

                                    In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 10,000 Model Year 2009 Arctic Cat Mountain Cat and Crossfire Snowmobiles. The mounting hardware securing the fuel pump can allow fuel to leak, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

                                    • Pool And Spa Safety Law Aimed At Preventing Drain Entrapments of Children Goes Into Effect This Week

                                      The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is again reminding public pool and spa owners and operators nationwide that the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act becomes effective on December 19, 2008. This law requires installation of anti-entrapment drain covers and other systems as outlined in the Act. Failure to comply with this Congressionally-enacted law can result in closure.

                                      •  CPSC Releases “Do’s and Don’ts” of Holiday Decorating

                                        The holiday season is here and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to keep safety in mind as they decorate for the holidays. Flickering candles, blinking holiday lights and fragrant evergreens are beautiful staples of the holiday season, but when used improperly, these holiday decorating “must haves” can pose deadly dangers. Each year, during the 60 days surrounding the winter holiday season, about 11,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to decoration-related injuries with falls, cuts, shocks and burns topping the list.

                                        • Propane Gas Fireplace Inserts Recalled by Wolf Steel Due to Laceration Hazard

                                        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wolf Steel USA, of Crittenden, Ky., is voluntarily recalling about 1,200 Napoleon Propane Gas Fireplace Inserts. Delayed ignition due to a build-up of propane gas can cause the insert’s glass cover to break, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

                                        • The Toro Company Reannounces Recall of Electric Blowers Due to Projectile Hazards

                                        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn., is voluntarily reannouncing the recall of about 900,000 Toro Power Sweep Electric Blowers. The blower’s impeller, which is a rotating component on the blower, can break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or a bystander.

                                        • Commercial Frozen Food Merchandisers Recalled by Tyler Refrigeration Due to Fire Hazard

                                        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tyler Refrigeration, of Niles, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 1,900 Commercial Frozen Food Merchandisers. Incomplete/incorrect light bulb installation can result in electrical arcing in the fixture, which can pose a fire hazard to consumers.

                                         

                                        • Meijer Inc. Recalls Toddler Girl’s Hat and Mitten Sets Due to Choking Hazard

                                        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Meijer Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 100 Toddler Girl’s Hat and Mitten Sets. The magnets in the hat can detach and fall out, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.

                                        • Major Apparel Retailer To Pay a $60,000 Civil Penalty For Failure To Report Drawstrings In Children’s Outerwear

                                        Nordstrom Inc., of Seattle, Wash., has agreed to pay a $60,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles allegations that the firm knowingly failed to report to the CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that its children's hooded jackets and sweaters were sold with drawstrings at the hood and neck. These products, which the firm eventually recalled, pose a strangulation hazard that can cause death to children.

                                        • OKK Trading Recalls Toy Army Figures Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

                                        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), OKK Trading, of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 5,400 Army Figures. Surface paint on the face of the Army figures contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

                                        • Doll Clothing Sets Recalled by Manhattan Group Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

                                        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Manhattan Group, of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 9,200 Groovy Fashions™ Sassy Jammies™ Doll Clothing Sets. Surface paints on the pajama pants contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

                                        • Hockey Helmets Recalled by Reebok-CCM Due to Head and Neck Injury Hazard

                                        In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Reebok-CCM Hockey U.S. Inc., of Montpelier, Vt., is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 Hockey Helmets. The helmet’s chinstrap can unexpectedly disengage while in use. If this happens, the helmet can fall off, posing a head and neck injury risk to consumers.