October 2007 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.

•  CPSC Acting Chairman Issues Statement on Letter to Congress

Statement regarding a letter recently sent to the Senate Commerce Committee expressing views on pending legislation before that committee.

•  Toy Figures Recalled by Henry Gordy International Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Henry Gordy International Inc., of Plainfield, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 380,000 “Galaxy Warriors” Toy Figures. Surface paints on the recalled toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Halloween “Ugly Teeth” Recalled By Amscan Inc. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Amscan Inc., of Elmsford, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 43,000 “Ugly Teeth” Party Favors. The surface paint on the teeth contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Toys "R" Us Recalls Elite Operations Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Toys “R” Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 16,000 Elite Operations Toys. Surface coatings on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  SimplyFun Recalls Ribbit Board Games Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), SimplyFun LLC, of Bellevue, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 1,500 Ribbit Board Games. Surface paint on the five frog-shaped wooden pieces contain excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. Recalls Snowmobiles Due to Crash and Fire Hazards

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), of Quebec, Canada, is voluntarily recalling about 2,700 Ski-Doo Model Year 2008 Snowmobiles. The snowmobiles’ fuel tanks can crack allowing liquid fuel and fuel vapor to leak, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. In addition, a problem with the throttle cable can lead to loss of speed control, posing a crash hazard.

•  Connecticut Electric Recalls Counterfeit Square D Circuit Breakers Due To Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Connecticut Electric & Switch Mfg. Co. (Connecticut Electric), of Puyallup, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 64,000 Counterfeit "Square D" Circuit Breakers. The recalled circuit breakers labeled “Square D” are counterfeit and could fail to trip when they are required to, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

•  Target Recalls Home Patio Sets Due to Fall Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Target, of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 40,000 Home Patio Sets. The chair can collapse when weight is applied to the front end of the arm rests, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

•  Digital Color Printers Recalled by Oki Data Americas Due to Risk of Electrical Shock

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Oki Data Americas, of Mount Laurel, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 400 C9600 Series Digital Color Printers. The recalled digital color printers have an internal electrical problem that could result in electrical shock to consumers.

•  Family Dollar Stores Recalls Halloween Pails Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Family Dollar Stores, of Charlotte, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 142,000 Purple Halloween Pails with Witch Decorations. The green paint on the pails contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  DecoPac Inc. Recalls Football Bobble Head Cake Decorations Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), DecoPac Inc., of Anoka, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 80,000 Football Bobble Head Cake Decorations. Surface paint on the body of the bobble head contains lead in excess of the federal lead paint standard.

•  Jo-Ann Stores Expands Recall of Children’s Toy Garden Tools Due to Violation of Lead in Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jo-Ann Stores Inc., of Hudson, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 97,000 Children’s Toy Gardening Tools (an additional 16,000 toy rakes were recalled on September 26, 2007 and 6,000 toy watering cans on August 28, 2007). Surface paint on the handle of the toy gardening tools can contain excessive levels of lead paint, violating the federal lead paint standard.

•  Fisher Price Recalls Go Diego Go Boat Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 38,000 Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Boats. Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal standard prohibiting lead paint on children’s toys.

• Simple CPSC Safety Tips Help Prevent Halloween Hidden Dangers: CPSC Encourages Parents to Incorporate Safety into Celebration

Children around the country are eagerly anticipating the night when they will wear their favorite costume and search for fun and delicious treats. As Halloween creeps up, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds parents and caregivers that when it comes to Halloween safety, there is no trick. Hidden dangers associated with costumes, treats, and decorations can be easily prevented, so that the holiday celebration is a real treat.

• Serious Head Injuries Prompt Recall of Bumbo Baby Sitter Seats – New Warnings and Instructions to Be Provided To Consumers

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bumbo International, of South Africa, is voluntarily recalling about 1 million Bumbo “Baby Sitter” Seats. If the seat is placed on a table, countertop, chair, or other elevated surface, young children can arch their backs, flip out of the Bumbo seat, and fall onto the floor, posing a risk of serious head injuries.

•  Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Recalls Children's Jewelry Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dollar Tree Stores is voluntarily recalling about 198,000 Beary Cute, Expressions, and Sassy & Chic Children’s Metal Jewelry. The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

•  Children's Metal Jewelry Recalled By WeGlow International Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), WeGlow International, of Virginia Beach, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 110,000 WeGlow Children’s Metal Jewelry. The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

•  Repair Kits Ready To Be Sent To Parents and Caregivers With Recalled Simplicity Cribs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., is announcing today that a remedy is now available for parents and caregivers who were impacted by the September 21, 2007, voluntary recall of about 1 million Simplicity and Graco logo cribs with older hardware. Simplicity will provide consumers with a repair kit that immobilizes the drop-side. After an intensive effort to develop a repair that would allow safe use of the drop-side, CPSC staff and Simplicity have determined that the safest repair option is to immobilize the drop-side. This repair program will be monitored by CPSC staff and is intended to reduce the risk of death or serious injury to infants

•  Blastrac Recalls to Repair Concrete Grinders Due to Injury Risk from Ejected Parts

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Blastrac N.A., of Oklahoma City, Okla., is voluntarily recalling about 185 Blastrac BG 250 Series Concrete Grinders with round flexible couplers and 45 replacement couplers. The flexible coupler on the concrete grinder can break during use allowing the internal parts, including the tooling plate and grinding disc, to be forcefully ejected from the grinder. This can pose a risk of injury from projectiles to the user and those nearby.

• Alltrade Tools Recalls Power Tool Battery Chargers Due to Burn and Laceration Hazards

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Alltrade Tools LLC, of Long Beach, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 800,000 Battery Chargers supplied with certain Kawasaki branded Power Tool Kits. When used with an incompatible charger, the battery pack can overheat and melt during charging, or can explode during use, posing burn, laceration and bruise hazards to consumers.

•  Home Automation Inc. Recalls Wireless Receivers Due to Failure to Receive Security Signal

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Home Automation Inc., New Orleans, La., is voluntarily recalling about 200 64 Zone Wireless Receivers. If the receiver loses power, it could fail to receive the signal from transmitters monitoring for intrusion detection in a property and place the security of residents at risk.

•  Ski Boards Recalled by Line Skis Due to Fall Hazard from Binding Failure

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Line Skis, of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 1,250 2006 Line X-Fly and Line Pro Ski Boards. Screws installed improperly can cause the bindings to come loose or pull off the ski board during use, causing the skier to lose control or fall and suffer injuries.

•  Cybex International Inc. Recalls Treadmills Previously Repaired Due to Fire Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cybex International, Inc., of Medway, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 4,700 (33,719 units were recalled on October 8, 2003) Cybex or Trotter Treadmills. During repairs associated with the October 8, 2003 recall, wire nuts were installed improperly, causing the treadmills to overheat and posing a fire hazard to consumers.

• Reynolds Recalls Bicycle Forks Due to Fall Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), MacLean Quality Composites, d.b.a. Reynolds, of West Jordan, Utah, is voluntarily recalling about 330 Reynolds UL Bicycle Forks. The fork tips could separate from the fork legs, causing the wheel to come loose from the fork while riding. This could pose a serious fall hazard to riders.

• Game Pieces Sold with "Cars" Backpacks Recalled By Global Design Concepts; Detached Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Global Design Concepts Inc., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 110,000 Magnetic Game Pieces sold with “Cars” Themed Backpacks. Small magnets inside the four game pieces that were sold with the “Cars” backpack can fall out of their plastic enclosure. 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 perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

•  CPSC Staff Study: Home Lead Test Kits Unreliable

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the results of a special evaluation of consumer lead test kits. CPSC staff used commonly available test kits on a variety of paints and other products containing different levels of lead. Many of the tests performed using the kits did not detect lead when it was there (false negatives); some indicated lead was present when it was not (false positives). Of 104 total test results, more than half (56) were false negatives, and two were false positives. None of the kits consistently detected lead in products if the lead was covered with a non-leaded coating. Based on the study consumers should not use lead test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead hazards. These findings are consistent with previous CPSC staff test results.

•  Collegiate Pacific Recalls Power Packs for Portable Team Hydration Units Due to Injury Hazard

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Collegiate Pacific, of Farmers Branch, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 800 Power Packs for Portable Team Hydration Units. Charging the battery inside the hydration unit’s power pack box can result in excessive gas buildup which can burst the lid of the power pack box off or rupture the box. This poses an injury hazard to bystanders.

• ATVs Recalled By KTM North America Due to Brake Failure

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), KTM North America Inc., of Amherst, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 270 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The rear brake caliper support can crack; this could result in the potential for a loss of the use of the rear brake and subsequently lead to an accident.

• The Gymboree Corp. Recalls Toy Swords Due to Breakage and Laceration Hazard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Gymboree Corp., of San Francisco, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 Toy Pirate Swords. The swords can break, creating a sharp point, which poses a laceration hazard to consumers.

• Additional Injuries Prompt Re-announcement of Sportsstuff Recall of Air Pumps

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sportsstuff Inc., of Omaha, Neb., is voluntarily recalling about 11,000 Inflator Air Pumps (sold separately and included with “Launch Pod” Water Trampolines). The air pumps can overheat and explode during use, posing a risk of lacerations.

• Payless ShoeSource Recalls Girls’ Boots Due to Fall Hazard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, KS, is voluntarily recalling about 90,000 Girls’ Boots. The guitar-shaped zipper pulls on each boot can interlock while a child is walking, causing the child to trip and fall.

• Albert’s Recalls Halloween Skull Pails Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), R.L. Albert & Son, of Greenwich, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 55,000 Skull Pails Filled With Halloween Candy Mix. The surface paint on the eyes, nose, and teeth of the skull contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Guidecraft Inc. Recalls Children’s Puppet Theaters Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Guidecraft Inc., of Englewood, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 5,400 Tabletop Puppet Theaters. Surface paints on the puppet theater’s wooden panels contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Dunkin’ Donuts Recalls Glow Sticks Due to Choking and Strangulation Hazards

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dunkin’ Donuts LLC, of Canton, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 1 million Pink and Orange Glow Sticks (free giveaway with donuts). The recalled glow sticks are not properly labeled to warn consumers that the cap and lanyard can detach, posing a choking hazard. Additionally, the lanyard poses a strangulation hazard to young children.

• Plow & Hearth Recalls Aluminum Chimeneas Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Plow & Hearth, of Madison, VA, is voluntarily recalling about 247 Aluminum Chimeneas. A design flaw can cause the aluminum on the chimeneas to catch fire or melt under high temperatures, posing fire and burn hazards.

• Procycle Group Inc. Recalls Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Procycle Group Inc., of Quebec, Canada, is voluntarily recalling about 45 Rocky Mountain-Solo Bicycles. The head tube can detach from the rest of the frame, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

• Huffy Recalls Bicycles Due To Cranks Falling Off; Riders Can Lose Control of Bike

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Huffy Corp., of Miamisburg, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 22,000 2007 Huffy “Howler” and “Highland” Bicycles. The bicycle crank can unexpectedly come off, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer serious injuries.

• Formula Brake USA Recalls Disc Brakes for Bicycles Due to Risk of Failure

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Perigeum Development Inc., d.b.a. Formula Brake USA, of Petaluma, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 5,700 Oro Disc Brakes used on bicycles. The brake’s hand lever can separate, resulting in loss of braking. This can cause the rider to lose control of the bicycle, posing a risk of injury to riders.

• Yamaha Recalls Snowmobiles Due to Risk of Injury and Death from Steering Problem

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A., of Cypress, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 5,700 2007 Model Year PZ50 Snowmobiles. Snow and ice stuck around the steering idler arm can cause a loss of steering ability, posing a risk of injury and death to drivers and passengers.

• Ross Stores Recalls Turtle Sprinklers Due to Laceration Hazard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ross Stores Inc., Pleasanton, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,800 Turtle Sprinklers. The turtle’s body can fill with water, causing it to crack or explode, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

• J.C. Penney Recalls Breyer Stirrup Ornaments Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 2,400 Breyer 2006 Stirrup Ornaments. Surface paints on the ornaments contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• J.C. Penney Recalls Deluxe Art Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 Deluxe Wood Art Sets. Surface paint on the outside of the wooden box contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• J.C. Penney Recalls Disney™ Winnie-the-Pooh Play Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 49,000 Disney™ Deluxe Winnie-the-Pooh 23-Piece Play Sets. Surface paints on the play sets contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Recalls Travel Art Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), CBOCS Distribution, Inc., of Lebanon, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling about 7,800 Princess Magnetic Travel Art Set Lap Desks. The surface paint on the zipper pull of the lap desk contains lead in excess of the federal lead paint standard.

• Bendable Dinosaur Toys Recalled by Kipp Brothers for Excessive Lead

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kipp Brothers, of Carmel, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 10,000 Bendable Dinosaur Toys. The recalled toys pose a risk of lead exposure to young children.

• Riddell Recalls Collectible Mini Racing Helmets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Riddell Inc., of Rosemont, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 2,500 Collectible “Jeff Gordon” Mini Helmets. Surface paints on the recalled helmets contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Flaghouse Inc. Recalls Kidnastics Balance Beams Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Flaghouse Inc., of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 2,400 Kidnastics Balance Beams. Surface paint on the balance beam contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Kahoot Products Inc. Recalls Cub Scouts Totem Badges Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kahoot Products Inc., of Roswell, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1.6 million Cub Scouts Totem Badges. The surface paints on the badges contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Starbucks Recalls Children's Plastic Cups Due to Choking and Laceration Hazards

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 250,000 Starbucks Children’s Plastic Cups. If the cup is dropped, the colorful face on the cup can break off and leave small parts or sharp exposed edges that can pose a choking or laceration hazard to young children.

• Christmas Tree Shops Recalls Glitter Candles Due to Fire Hazard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Christmas Tree Shops Inc., of South Yarmouth, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 9,600 Sequin Glitter Candles. The candle’s exterior glitter coating can ignite, posing a fire hazard.

• Razor USA Recalls E300 Electric Scooters; Handlebars Can Detach Causing Loss of Control

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Razor USA LLC, of Cerritos, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 20,000 Razor® E300 Electric Scooters. A weld can break causing the handlebar to detach. This can cause the rider to lose control and fall from the scooter.

• Sports Authority Recalls Aluminum Water Bottles Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sports Authority, of Englewood, Colo., is voluntarily recalling about 11,200 Alpine Design Aluminum Water Bottles. The surface paint on the water bottle contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• CKI Recalls Children’s Decorating Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard; Sold Exclusively at Toys “R” Us

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), CKI Toys, of Hong Kong, is voluntarily recalling about 15,000 Children’s Toy Decorating Sets. Surface paint on the back of the recalled mirror contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Eveready Battery Co. Recalls Toy Flashlights Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Eveready Battery Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 79,000 “Pirates of the Caribbean” Medallion Squeeze Lights. Surface paints on the leather strap attached to the medallion squeeze light contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Kids II Recalls Baby Einstein Color Blocks Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 35,000 Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks. Surface paint on the blue block contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• KB Toys Recalls Wooden Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), KB Toys, Inc., of Pittsfield, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 10,000 Wooden Pull-Along Alphabet & Math Blocks Wagons, Wooden Pull-Along Learning Blocks Wagons, 10-in-1 Activity Learning Carts, and Flip-Flop Alphabet Blocks. Surface paints on the toys can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Target Recalls Plush Boys Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

   

  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Target, of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 82,000 Plush Boys Rattles. The recalled rattles can break open releasing the small beads inside, posing a choking hazard to young children.

*** 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.