[Recalls Page]

January 2009 Recalls and Product Safety News

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), L.L. Bean Inc., of Freeport, Maine, is voluntarily recalling about 7,000 Stabilicer Lite Cleats. The elastic harness system attaching the cleats to footwear can detach, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), DDI Inc., of Dubuque, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling about 3,000 Construction Play Sets. Surface paint on the play sets can contain lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), JAKKS Pacific Inc., of Malibu, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 516,000 Spa Factory™ Aromatherapy Fountain & Bath Benefits Kits. Pressure from the buildup of carbon dioxide in the jars of Bath Bombs/Balls or Bath Fizzies can cause the caps on the jars to blow off, posing explosion and projectile hazards. The mixtures also can contain citric acid, which can get into the eyes during an explosion, posing a risk of eye irritation.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Spencer Gifts LLC, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 8,400 Skull-And-Crossbones Necklaces. The skull and metal clasp of the necklace contain high levels of lead. Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Outdoor Research Inc., of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 900 “Primovolta” and “Primavolta” Warming Gloves. The glove’s electric heating pad can short circuit and overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there have been more than 150 residential fires that resulted in more than 200 deaths since Thanksgiving. These statistics have led the USFA and fire chiefs to declare the holiday season and start of the new year as one of the deadliest in recent memory.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Land of Nod, of Northbrook, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 2,400 Home Sweet Playhome Canopies. A child’s head could get entrapped in the canopy’s window openings, posing entrapment and strangulation hazards.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Markwins Beauty Products, of City of Industry, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 75,000 Lip Gloss Keychains. The metal clasp attached to the keychain contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fantas-Eyes Inc., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 15,000 High School Musical Manicure Kits. The lettering “HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL” with glitter on the pouch used with the manicure kit contains excess levels of lead. Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Milestone AV Technologies, of Savage, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 140,000 LCD television wall mounts. The wall mount can crack when used with televisions 26 inches and larger or with televisions that include a DVD player. The television can then fall from the wall mount and pose a serious risk of injury to consumers standing nearby.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lane Furniture Industries Inc., of Tupelo, Miss., is voluntarily recalling about 700 Glider Recliners. The base of the chair, if installed backwards, can allow the chair to tip-over backwards, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Discount School Supply, of Monterey, CA, is voluntarily recalling about 500 Jesus Fish Beads. Surface paint on the green fish can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Air Conditioning Division of Rheem Manufacturing Co., of Fort Smith, Ark., is voluntarily recalling about 14,000 Rheem, Ruud and United Refrigeration Oil-Fired Furnaces. If the furnace is not properly wired, the oil burner can continue to operate when the blower shuts off, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mad Dog Concepts, of New York, NY, is voluntarily recalling about 25,000 Tony Hawk Boy’s Pajama Sets. This sleepwear fails to meet the federal children’s sleepwear flammability standard, and poses a risk of burn injury to children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Saris Cycling Group, of Madison, Wis., is voluntarily recalling 2,000 Stationary Bicycle Trainers. A handle pin on the bicycle trainer can loosen during use, causing the machine to become disengaged, and pose a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 131,000 Infantino Lion and Lamb Grabby Rattles™ (20,000 units were previously recalled in March 2008). The tail-piece on the rattles can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 476,500 Bosch® and Siemens® Model Dishwashers. An electrical component in certain model dishwashers can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and various home heating furnace, boiler, and high-temperature plastic vent (HTPV) manufacturers are urging home owners who have not yet responded to the previously-announced 1998 recall, to do so immediately. After May 1, 2009, the remedy consumers receive under the existing program, which has been operating continuously for almost 11 years, will change.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), of the about 200,000 Rainforest™ Portable Play Yards manufactured by Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. of Reading, Pa., Fisher-Price is voluntarily recalling those play yards with the Fisher-Price logo. One or more rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children. Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. have not responded to CPSC’s request to recall these products nor have they been responsive to consumer complaints recently received.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Axiom International Inc., of Billings, Mont., is voluntarily recalling about 5,300 pairs of Children’s Sunglasses. Surface paint on the recalled sunglasses can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Giant Bicycle, of Newbury Park, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 2009 model year TCR Advanced SL and SL (ISP) Bicycles and Frames. The density of the steerer tubes can cause the forks to crack and break, posing a fall hazard to the consumer.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Land of Nod Northbrook, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 500 Rolling Toy Xylophones. The pegs on the xylophone can break, posing a choking hazard to children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jerry Leigh of California Inc., of Van Nuys, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,200 Harajuku Lovers Hooded Jackets. The jackets have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, is voluntarily recalling about 535,000 Stork Craft Baby Cribs. The metal support brackets used to support the crib mattress and mattress board can crack and break. When one or more support brackets break, the mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails, in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cheyenne Industries Inc., of Little Rock, Ark., is voluntarily recalling about 89,000 Milan Vanity Stools. The recalled stools can become unstable due to loose screws, which can cause the stool legs to separate or break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), TDI International, of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 150 “High Speed” Pull Back Toy Cars. Surface paint on the toy cars contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 692,400 Roman Shades and Roll-up Blinds. Roman Shades: These shades have a looped pull cord and exposed inner cords on the back of the shade. Looped pull cords and exposed inner cords on roman shades present a strangulation hazard. Roll-up Blinds: These blinds have a looped pull cord and two lifting cord loops that run around the bottom rail. Looped pull cords and exposed lifting loops on roll-up blinds present a strangulation hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Top Goods Trading, of Temple City, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 38,000 Flashing Pacifiers. The flashing pacifiers do not comply with federal safety standards for pacifiers. Although the pacifiers are marketed to older children and adults, they could be given to babies and cause serious injury or death. The pieces of the pacifier can separate, posing a choking hazard. The necklaces pose a strangulation hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), One World Technologies Inc., of Anderson, S.C., is voluntarily recalling about 12,400 Ryobi Corded Circular Saws. The return spring on the circular saw’s lower blade guard can break, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rashti & Rashti, of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 16,000 Taggies™ Sleep'n Play Infant Garments (an additional 6,200 were recalled on July 1, 2008). The snaps on these garments can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In February 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) take effect. Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with the new Congressionally-mandated laws. Beginning February 10, 2009, children’s products cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead. Certain children’s products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009 cannot be sold if they contain more than 0.1% of certain specific phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys. The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Acting Chairman Nancy Nord announced today that Julie Vallese, Director of the Office of Information and Public Affairs has submitted her resignation and will leave the agency on January 16, 2009.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan, is voluntarily recalling about 56,450 Jardine Cribs (320,000 units were previously recalled in June 2008). The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ms. Bubbles Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 71,500 Girls Blue Denim Passport Jackets. The jackets have a drawstring through the hood which can pose 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 drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), SRAM LLC, of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 175 Bicycles using RockShox Domain 302 and 318 bicycle forks. The steel steerer on the forks can crack, causing the fork to detach from the bicycle frame. This can cause the rider to lose control and crash.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Viking Range Corp., of Greenwood, Miss., is voluntarily recalling about 10,000 Four-Slice Electric Toasters. Wiring inside the toaster can become loose and contact the toaster body, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa., has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, settles allegations that the company failed to immediately report incidents about its defective portable fans.