[Recalls Page]

July 2000 Recalls and Product Safety News

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AmeriGas Propane L.P., of Valley Forge, Pa., is recalling about 100 propane cylinders sold or exchanged at The Home Depot or Meijer's stores in the Detroit, Mich., area. Of these cylinders, about 10 could be overfilled, which can cause them to release flammable propane gas unexpectedly, posing a risk of fires and explosions.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hufco-Delaware Co., of Miamisburg, Ohio, is recalling about 111,000 Gerry® TrailTech™ backpack baby carriers with plastic frames. Small infants can shift to one side, slip through the leg openings of these carriers and fall.

The Gymboree Corp., of Burlingame, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 plush shape sorter toys and 12,000 plush stacking toys. The stuffing of the toys can contain sewing needles and sharp metal pieces.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Master Lock Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 752,000 gun locks and providing free replacements to consumers. Due to a manufacturing discrepancy, the two halves of some gun locks can be manually separated without a key, giving children and others unauthorized access to a firearm.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shelcore Inc., of Somerset, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 124,000 "Stand-Up 'N Play Tables" to replace the xylophone mallets. The mallet that comes as part of this table set can be lodged into the throats of young children, posing a choking hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Child Guidance^TM, of New York, N.Y., a division of JAKKS Pacific Inc., is voluntarily recalling almost 1 million Wiggle Waggle Caterpillar^TM toys. Young children can choke on the small balls attached to these toys.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling baby jumper seats (babies can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries) and construction toys (children can wrap a 25-inch strap around their necks, posing a strangulation hazard).

Manhattan Group LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn., is recalling about 22,000 plastic teether toys. The teether can pull apart easily and expose small pieces. Target Corp., of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 16,000 glass and metal oil burning candles. The glass on these candles can shatter, creating a fire hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Gerber Products Co. today released a new national survey showing that African-Americans are more likely to place their babies to sleep in ways that increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The survey found that more than half of African-American parents place their babies to sleep on their stomachs or sides and African-Americans are more likely to place soft bedding such as quilts, comforters or pillows in the crib with their infants. National infant mortality statistics show that African-American babies are twice as likely to die from SIDS as other babies.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va., is recalling about 700,000 doll feeding sets. The doll bib in the set has snaps that detach, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Appliance Co. of America, of Great Neck, N.Y., is recalling about 7,000 Welbilt toaster ovens. The ovens' heating elements can break, causing the glass door to shatter. The toasters could short circuit, causing electrical shocks and fires.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The First Years Inc., of Avon, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 123,000 "Elmo Nitelights." The faceplate on these nightlights can be broken off, exposing wiring and posing shock and electrocution hazards.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cycle Express Inc., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 9,000 bicycle helmets. These helmets fail impact testing and labeling required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. Riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls, and could suffer severe head injuries or death.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rand International, of Farmingdale, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 70,000 bicycle helmets. These bicycle helmets fail impact testing and labeling required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. Riders wearing these helmets are not properly protected from falls, and could suffer severe head injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Burley Design Cooperative, of Eugene, Ore., is voluntarily recalling about 2,200 Burley-Bravo™ bicycle trailers, used to transport young children. The wheel can separate from these trailers during use, and result in crashes and injuries to children riding inside. Loss of control to the bicycle pulling these trailers also can cause the riders to crash and suffer injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Red Rock Trading Co. Inc. and Blackjack Fireworks Inc., both of Las Vegas, Nev., have agreed to pay a total civil penalty of $90,000 to settle allegations that the firms violated both the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the CPSC's Fireworks Regulations by importing banned fireworks.