January 2008 Recalls and Product Safety News

Looking for information on the latest product recall and safety news that directly affects your family? Well, you have come to the right place! Read on for a summary of the the most recent news and links for additional information.

• Campbell Hausfeld Recalls Air Compressors Following Fires

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Campbell Hausfeld, of Harrison, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 233,000 Campbell Hausfeld and Husky Air Compressors. Protective covers on the compressor’s motor are not made from proper flame retardant material and can ignite, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

•  Vornado Trust to Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defects and Hazards with Electric Heaters

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a liquidating trust acting on behalf of a now-dissolved manufacturer of heaters has agreed to pay the government a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles allegations that Vornado Air Circulation Systems Inc., formerly of Andover, Kan., failed to report in a timely manner incidents of fire and overheating from defective heaters.

•  Car Charging Units Made By The Wenzel Co. for LL Bean Air Beds Recalled Due To Injury Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Wenzel Co., of St. Louis, MO., is voluntarily recalling about 3,900 Car Charging Units (included with LL Bean Airbeds). The batteries in the car charging unit can overheat when the car engine is running, causing the battery charging unit to burst. This can pose an injury hazard to consumers.

•  Baby Sterling Silver Teethers Recalled by Elegant Baby Due to Choking Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Elegant Baby and Baby Needs Inc., of Burlington, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 200 Heart and Car Sterling Silver Teethers. The hearts and cars on the teethers can break off, posing a choking hazard to infants.

•  Girls' Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Sold Exclusively at Marshalls Stores Recalled by Apollo Jeans Due to Strangulation Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AJBlue LLC, dba Apollo Jeans, of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 14,000 Girls’ Hooded Jackets. The jackets have a drawstring through the hood which poses a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

•  Kids II Inc. Recalls Crib Toys Due to Choking Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 15,000 Baby Einstein Baby Neptune™ Soothing Seascape Crib Toys. The anchors that hold the straps to the back of the turtle can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

•  RR Donnelley Recalls Classroom Reading and Math Aids Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), RR Donnelley, of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 185,000 Classroom Reading and Math Aids. Surface paint on the products contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Glue Guns Recalled by Dollar Tree Stores Due to Fire, Burn and Shock Hazards

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 253,000 Crafters Square Hot Melt Mini Glue Guns. The recalled glue guns can short circuit, causing the gun to smoke and catch fire. This poses fire, burn and shock hazards to consumers.

•  Toy Wooden Block and Train Sets Recalled By Christmas Tree Shops Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Christmas Tree Shops, of South Yarmouth, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 15,000 Big Wooden Blocks and Jumbo Wooden Train Sets. Surface paint on some pieces of the toys contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Brian Smith Recalls Serene Float Tanks Due to Electrocution Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Brian Smith, dba Serene Float Tanks, of Lakewood, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 5 Serene Float Tanks. Electrical components in the float tank are not grounded, which can prevent the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) from tripping when needed, posing an electrocution hazard to consumers.

•  RR Donnelley Recalls Educational Assessment Blocks Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), RR Donnelley, of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 18,000 sets of ESI-R Screening Materials. Surface paint on the green wooden blocks contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Battat Recalls Magnetic Construction Sets; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Battat Inc., of Plattsburgh, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 125,000 Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Systems. Small magnets inside the building pieces can fall out. 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.

•  Toy Racing Cars Recalled by OKK Trading Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), OKK Trading Inc., of Commerce, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 2,000 Toy Racing Cars. Surface paint on the toy cars contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Stamina Products to Pay $105,000 Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defects with Mini-Trampolines

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a Missouri-based manufacturer of trampolines has agreed to pay the government a $105,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles allegations that Stamina Products, of Springfield, Mo., failed to report in a timely manner injuries from defective mini-trampolines. In April 2006, CPSC and Stamina Products announced the recall of about 668,000 mini-trampolines.

•  Nordstrom Recalls Taper and Votive Candles Due To Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nordstrom Inc., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 2,500 Nordstrom “At Home” Taper and Votive Candles. The candle's exterior coating can ignite, posing a fire hazard.

•  Cranium Cadoo Board Games Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cranium Inc., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 38,000 Cranium Cadoo Board Games. The surface paint on the die contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Pottery Barn Recalls Decorative Candles Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pottery Barn of San Francisco, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 185,000 Round and Egg-Shaped Decorative Candles. The candle’s exterior coating can ignite, posing a fire hazard.

•  The Wick & Petal Co. Recalls Candles Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Wick & Petal Co. of Indianapolis, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 1,300 Jar candles. The candles can burn with a high flame, posing a fire hazard.

•  Sears and Kmart Recall Play Stoves Due to Tip-over Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill., are voluntarily recalling about 17,000 “My First Kenmore” Play Stoves. A metal bracket connecting the door to the stove can cause a tip-over when the door is opened. This poses a risk of injury to young children.

•  Photo Frames Recalled by The Gift Wrap Company Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Gift Wrap Co., of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 600 Hanging Photo Frames. Surface paint on the photo frames contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Inversion Therapy Tables Recalled by Stamina Products Due to Fall Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stamina Products Inc., of Springfield, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 2000 Inversion Therapy Tables. A weld in the center of the inversion table can fail when the table is in an inverted position, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

•  Discount School Supply Recalls Play Mats Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Discount School Supply, of Monterey, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 60 Tic Tac Turtle Toss Mats. The paint on the Tic Tac Turtle Toss mats contains excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  John Deere Tractors Recalled Due to Collision Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 5,400 John Deere Compact Utility Tractors. The forward drive pedal can get stuck, posing a risk of loss of control and injury to the operator and bystanders.

•  Toy Wrestler Figures Recalled by A.A. of America Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), A.A. of America Inc., of East Brunswick, N.J., is voluntarily recalling 5,400 Toy Wrestler Figures. The surface paint contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Hunting Tree Stand Manufacturer Agrees To Pay $420,000 Civil Penalty

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a Wisconsin-based tree stand manufacturer has agreed to pay the government a $420,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles a government lawsuit alleging that Ardisam Inc, of Cumberland, Wis., failed to immediately report to the CPSC serious injuries to hunters with its Big Foot and Lite Foot series hunting tree stands. In July 2004, 78,000 of these tree stands were recalled by the company.

•  Kash N’ Gold Recalls Tinker Bell Novelty Lamps Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kash N’ Gold Ltd., of Deer Park, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling 60,000 Tinker Bell Lamps. The surface paint on the lamps contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  A.O. Smith Recalls Exhaust Fan Electric Motors Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co., of Tipp City, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 6,300 Whole-house Exhaust Fan Electric Motors. The fan’s electric motor can be miswired and overheat, posing a fire hazard.

•  Shims Bargain Recalls Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shims Bargain Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 45,000 “BabyTown” Pacifiers. These pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for pacifiers. The pacifier shield is too small and could easily enter the mouth of an infant. Also, ventilation holes are too small and not placed to allow for the insertion of a tool to remove the pacifier when lodged in the mouth of a child. Finally, the package fails to display the required warning instructing consumers not to tie a pacifier around a child’s neck, which would present a strangulation hazard.

•  Torchiere Lamps Recalled By L G Sourcing Due to Fire Hazard; Lamps Sold Exclusively At Lowe’s Stores

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), L G Sourcing, Inc., of North Wilkesboro, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 90,000 Portfolio Incandescent Torchiere Lamps. A short circuit in the lamps’ wiring can pose a fire hazard to consumers.

•  Coin Banks Recalled by TJ Promotions Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), TJ Promotions, of South El Monte, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,300 Fish Coin Banks. Surface paint on the coin banks contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Intermatic Recalls Digital Timers Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Intermatic Inc., of Spring Grove, Ill., is voluntarily recalling 8,500 Intermatic DT27 Digital Self-Adjusting Timers. The recalled timers could have been wired incorrectly, which poses an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

•  ATVs Recalled By American Honda Motor Co. Due to Loss of Speed Control

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Honda Motor Co., Inc. of Torrance, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 40,000 Model Year 2007 Honda TRX 500 ATVs. Water can enter the throttle position sensor and freeze, causing permanent damage if the rider forces the throttle lever. This could cause the throttle to stick open, posing a risk of injury or death to riders.

•  Pacific Cycle Recalls Children’s Trailer Bicycles; Can Detach from Adult Bicycle and Injure Children

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pacific Cycle Inc., of Madison, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 7,000 InStep “Pathfinder,” Schwinn “Run About,” and Mongoose “Alley Cat” Trailer Bicycles. The coupler connecting the children’s trailer bike to the adult’s bicycle has welds that can fail, posing a fall hazard to children.

•  Cannondale Recalls Scalpel Mountain Bikes; Frame Failure Poses Crash Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cannondale Bicycle Corporation, of Bethel, Conn., is voluntarily recalling 150 Cannondale 2008 model year “Scalpel” mountain bikes. The frame can break while in use, causing the rider to lose control and suffer injuries from a fall or collision.

• CPSC Warns Winter Storm Victims: Use Portable Generators Outdoors Only

  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a warning to consumers confronted with severe winter weather. When there’s a power outage, exercise caution when using portable generators. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible killer. You can’t see or smell it. A generator’s exhaust contains poisonous CO which can kill you in a matter of minutes.

• Toy Wagons Recalled by Tricam Industries Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tricam Industries Inc., of Eden Prairie, Minn., is voluntarily recalling 15,000 Metal Toy Wagons. Surface paint on the wagon bucket contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Bathroom Medicine Cabinets Sold at Lowe’s and The Home Depot Retail Outlets Recalled by RSI Home Products Due to Laceration Hazard

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), RSI Home Products, of Anaheim, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 8,600 Medicine Cabinets. The medicine cabinet’s mirrors can separate and break, posing a laceration hazard.

• ATVs Recalled By KYMCO Due to Suspension Failure; Riders Can Lose Control of Vehicle

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), KYMCO USA, of Spartanburg, S.C., is voluntarily recalling 1,350 2006-2008 Model Year MXU 500 All Terrain Vehicles. The pivot bolts holding the rear suspension onto the frame can become loose, causing the rear swing arm to detach from the chassis posing a risk of injury or death to the operator.

*** For a complete list of ALL GENERAL recalls since 1973, please see http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html. You will have an opportunity to search by month and year on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

*** For a complete list of ALL TOY recalls since 1973, please click here.