[Recalls Page]

August 2009 Recalls and Product Safety News

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Baby Jogger LLC, of Richmond, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 41,000 Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers. The stroller’s restraint buckle could break or unlatch allowing the child or infant to fall out.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Frigidaire, a division of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 200,000 Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges. Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or, 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Liquidation Outlet, Inc., of Lakewood, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 8,400 Force Soldier, Pirate Expeditions with Parrot, and Pirate Expeditions with Treasure playsets. The action figure toys have surface paints which contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 500 IKEA KARLSTAD sofa-beds. The mattress and seat cushions intended to be used as a mattress fail to meet the mandatory federal open flame standard for mattresses, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Quiksilver, Inc., of Huntington Beach, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 500 Roxy Girl “Very Nice” Cotton Hoodies. The cotton hoodie has a waist drawstring that could pose an entrapment hazard to children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Vertical Land Inc., of Panama City Beach, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 15,400 horizontal blinds, 16,400 vertical blinds, 800 Cellular Shades. Horizontal Blinds: The blinds do not have inner cord stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. If an inner cord is pulled out, a child can become entangled in the loop and strangle. Vertical Blinds: Strangulations can occur if a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop formed by the bead chain or by the cord with a weighted device. Cellular Shades: Strangulations can occur if a child’s neck becomes entangled on the shade’s free-standing looped cord.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 245,000 Roller Shades. Strangulations can occur if the shade’s looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Victoria Classics of Edison, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 163,000 Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo Roman Shades. Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Exposed operating cords can knot or tangle creating a strangulation loop.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pottery Barn Kids/Williams-Sonoma, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 85,000 Roman Shades. Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 120,000 MELINA Roman Blinds. Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. The Roman blind has a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the blind, posing a strangulation hazard to children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lewis Hyman Inc., of Carson, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 4.2 million ¼” Oval Roll-up Blinds and 600,000 Woolrich Roman shades. Roll-up Blinds: Strangulations can occur if the lifting loops slide off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material. Roman Shades: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

The CPSC and Goodman Manufacturing Company, of Houston, TX, are urging consumers who have not yet responded to the previously-announced 1998 recall to do so immediately. After October 1, 2009, the remedy consumers receive will change to be identical to modifications recently announced for a related recall.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling about 46,000 Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators (1.6 million units were previously recalled March 2009). An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ameriwood Industries, of Wright City, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 195 Your Zone Loft Collection Entertainment Stands. Warning labels sold with the entertainment stands indicate incorrect size and weight limits for televisions used with the stands. A television that is too heavy or wide for the entertainment stand can make the unit unstable, posing a tip-over hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pella Corp., of Pella, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling about 6,500 Architect Series® and 850 Series® Casement Windows. The hinge can break, causing the window sash to fall out, posing a risk of injury to persons beneath the window.

The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is alerting the public, school officials, facilities managers, and municipal and public safety officials that outdoor steel stadium light poles manufactured by Whitco Co. LP, of Fort Worth, Texas can fracture or crack and fall over, posing a risk of serious injury and death to patrons and bystanders from being hit or crushed. To reduce the risk of injury, Whitco Co. LP outdoor steel stadium light poles should be inspected immediately.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sterling Publishing Co. Inc, of New York, New York, is voluntarily recalling about 15,000 eebee’s “Have a Ball” Adventures Cloth Books. A string attaching a ball to the book can become entangled in the basketball hoop element, posing a strangulation hazard to young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again urging all parents and caregivers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned of two additional infant deaths since the August 2008 safety alert and recall announcements that notified consumers of two infants who had strangled in their Simplicity bassinets. To date, CPSC is aware of four infants who have died in the close-sleeper bassinets.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Weight Watchers Intl., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 420,000 (25,000 in Canada) Hungry Figures and Hungry Magnets. Sewing needles have been found in the stuffing of the Hungry Figures, posing a puncture hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Modern Fan Co. Inc., of Ashland, Oregon, is voluntarily recalling about 1,300 Pensi Fans. The internal coupler that connects the down rod assembly to the motor can break and cause the fan to fall from the ceiling, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark., is voluntarily recalling about 1.5 Million Durabrand DVD Players. The DVD players can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Robert S. Adler and Anne Northup were sworn in this week as Commissioners of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Mr. Adler and Mrs. Northup were nominated by President Barack Obama on May 5 and July 30, 2009, respectively. Both were confirmed by the Senate on August 7, 2009. Mr. Adler’s term expires in October 2014 and Mrs. Northup’s term expires in October 2011. Mr. Adler and Mrs. Northup will join Commissioner Nancy Nord, Commissioner Thomas Moore and Chairman Inez Tenenbaum at the Commission.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nirve Sports Ltd., of Huntington Beach, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 120 Cannibal Bicycles. The bicycle stem can crack and cause the rider to lose control, posing a risk of serious injury if the rider falls.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Felt Bicycles, of Irving, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,500 2007/2008 Felt F1X Cyclocross Bicycles. The bicycle’s fork steerer tube can break, causing the rider to lose control and fall, posing a risk of injury.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Krell Industries LLC, of Orange, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 2,300 Amplifiers. The amplifiers were designed to operate at a temperature warm to the touch. However, a component input device can fail and cause the amplifiers to overheat, posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), One World Technologies Inc., of Anderson, S.C., is voluntarily recalling about 3,000 Ridgid 10-inch Table Saws. The table saw’s arbor shaft can fail when used with a stacked blade set (commonly known as a “stacked dado set”), which is used to cut grooves. The stacked blade set can be ejected from the saw, posing a potential laceration hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Burley Design LLC, of Eugene, Ore., is voluntarily recalling about 2,700 2009 d’lite ST and Solo ST Child Trailers. The axle assembly’s internal sleeve can loosen, causing one wheel to separate from the trailer. This poses a risk of injury to the child occupant or bike rider.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 9,800 Black & Decker® Thermal Coffeemakers. The coffeemakers can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woodstock International, of Bellingham, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 450 Shop Fox Dust Collection Remote Switches. An incorrectly sized wire inside the remote switch can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that TGH International Trading Inc. (TGH), of Los Angeles, Calif., has agreed to pay a $31,500 civil penalty to settle allegations that the company knowingly imported and sold toys that did not meet the requirements of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The penalty has been provisionally accepted by the Commission.

On August 14, 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) will take effect that are aimed at making children’s products safer and increasing consumer confidence in the marketplace. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is educating domestic and overseas manufacturers, importers, and distributors of children’s products and other consumer goods of these important new safety requirements.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Homelite Consumer Products Inc., of Anderson, S.C., is voluntarily recalling about 51,750 Homelite, Husky and Black Max Brand Generators. The fuel gauge can leak excessive amounts of gasoline, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Little Tikes, of Hudson, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 1.6 Million Little Tikes™ Workshops Sets and Trucks. The recalled workshop sets and trucks have oversized, plastic toy nails that can pose a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nautilus Inc., of Vancouver, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 400 Nautilus F3 Chin Dip Stationary Exercise Units. The footpads on the unit can break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Griffin International Cos., Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 220,000 lone Essentials and React Wii™ 4-Dock Battery Recharge Stations. The battery pack can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard to the consumer.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Target, of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 43,000 Circo Booster Seats. The booster seat restraint buckle can open unexpectedly, allowing a child to fall from the chair and be injured.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 2,400 Jump ‘n Jive™ Doorway Jumpers. The recalled doorway jumpers include detachable toys that are attached to the jumper straps with strips of hook and loop fabric. The strips of fabric are not permanently attached to the toys and can become detached during use, posing a choking hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dorel Juvenile Group USA, of Columbus, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 31,500 (100,000 units were previously recalled in February 2009) Safety 1st SmartLight Stair Gates. The hinges that hold the stair gate in place can break, posing a fall hazard to children if the gate is placed at the top of the stairs.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced its Top Ten list of recalled children’s products as part of the agency’s “Resale Round-up” campaign. CPSC’s goal is to protect consumers by getting dangerous recalled products out of resale stores and off the Internet. Re-selling recalled products is a violation of federal law.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Wagner Spray Tech Corp., of Plymouth, Minn. and Techtronic Industries Co. LTD, of Hong Kong, including its wholly-owned subsidiary Techtronic Industries North America Inc., of Anderson, S.C., have agreed to pay an $800,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota alleging that Wagner and Techtronic failed to timely report to CPSC as required by federal law the overheating of certain defective cordless power drill battery chargers. These chargers were distributed under the Wagner brand name and manufactured by Techtronic. The products were reportedly involved in several incidents that resulted in property damage.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Ross Stores Inc., of Pleasanton, Calif. has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $500,000. The penalty settlement, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, resolves CPSC staff allegations that Ross knowingly failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that children's hooded sweatshirts it sold had drawstrings at the neck.

As side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) continue to gain in popularity, so does the number of reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission of injuries and deaths involving these vehicles. Even though ROVs have a roll cage and seat belts, CPSC urges all riders and passengers to remain vigilant about safety before hitting the trails and while off-roading.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Global Plastics Ltd., of City of Industry, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 14,000 Bay West & Hillyard Hybrid Wave N Cut Paper Towel Dispensers. The dispenser’s electric board can overheat posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Russell Brands LLC, of Alexander City, Ala., is voluntarily recalling about 1,700 Spalding In-Ground Basketball Hoops. The bolts at the base can fail, causing the unit to fall. This poses a risk of serious injury to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 200,000 Black & Decker GH1000 Grasshog XP String Trimmer/Edgers. The trimmer/edger’s spool, spool cap and pieces of trimmer string can come loose during use and become airborne projectiles, posing a serious laceration hazard to the user, as well as bystanders. The trimmer/edgers can also overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ross Stores Inc., of Pleasanton, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,800 Marble Top Plant Stands. The marble top of the plant stand can detach from the base and fall onto consumers, posing a risk of injury.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries Inc., of Medina, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 3,800 2009 Polaris Ranger “Crew” and “6x6” Side-by-Side Recreational Vehicles. An electrical short can lead to overheating in the rear tail light wiring harnesses, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kaplan Early Learning Company, of Lewisville, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 200 La Siesta Yayita Baby Hammocks. The hammock can flip over, posing a serious fall hazard and strangulation hazard to infants who become entrapped in the seat’s restraint straps while upside down.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nova Natural Toys & Crafts LLC, of Williston, Vt., is voluntarily recalling about 265 Yayita Baby Hammocks. The hammock can flip over, posing a serious fall hazard and strangulation hazard to infants who become entrapped in the seat’s restraint straps while upside down.