[Recalls Page]

May 2002 Recalls and Product Safety News

D.A.M. Clothing Inc., of New York, N.Y. is voluntarily recalling about 9200 Basic Editions 2 Piece Girls Short Sets. The recalled short sets are predominantly white in color and consist of a pair of shorts and a top. These short sets are sizes 2T-5T, style # 7071. The style number is located on a hang-tag attached to the right armpit of the garment. K-Mart stores nationwide sold these short sets from February 2002 to March 2002 for about $7. They were made in Pakistan.

Lands' End, Inc. of Dodgeville, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 600 Soft Farm Sets, style number 76626. The recalled set is a polyester/cotton barn with polyester/cotton farm animals and accessories: chicken with legs, duck with legs, dog, pig, cow, horse, 2 fences, a bale of hay and a pond. Lands' End Inc. catalog and web site sold these sets nationwide from January 2002 to April 2002 for about $34.

Southern Wood Products of Sparta, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling about 600 toy boxes that measure 24 inches by 16 inches by 35 inches. The toy boxes were sold in the following colors: oak, white, cherry, and natural. The recalled toy boxes have manufacture date codes of 8502-021502A and 8502-030702A on a sticker located on the back or bottom of unit. The sticker also has the company's name and address. JC Penney sold the toy box through its catalogue from Feb 2002 until March 2002. The toy box was manufactured in the USA.

The Sportsman's Guide of South St. Paul, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 Big Red Wagons. The children's wagon is identified by the number 54774 and is made of red steel. The wagon measures 3-3/4" deep x 33-1/2" long x 15-1/2" wide. It has a black metal handle 18" long and four rubber, inflated wheels. The Sportsman's Guide sold the red wagon nationwide through its catalogue, the Internet and the Sportsman's Guide retail store from October 2001 through April 2002 for about $60. The big red wagon was manufactured in Taiwan.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Golden Gift L.L.C. of Vernon, Calif., has agreed to pay a $125,000 fine for importing toys that did not meet federal safety standards. The CPSC alleged that Golden Gift knowingly imported children's toys that violated the CPSC's small parts and labeling requirements under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Spin Master Toys, of Toronto, Ontario is voluntarily recalling about 137,000 Firestormer and Skyblazer toy planes. The plastic air intake chamber of the air-powered toy planes can burst, throwing plastic pieces, posing a laceration, bruise and abrasion hazard to consumers.

Young children are irresistibly drawn to water, and tragically, about 350 children under age 5 drown in swimming pools each year. But even if you don't have a pool, your young children may not be safe from drowning. About one-third as many children (an average of about 115 annually) drown from other hazards around the home as do in pools. CPSC has received reports of 459 young children who drowned in bathtubs, buckets, toilets, spas, hot tubs and other containers of water in a 4-year period between 1996 and 1999.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a lawsuit has been filed against four Los Angeles-area businesses and six individuals, for importing dangerous toys that violate federal safety laws. CPSC and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief against the following firms and their presidents or owners: Lucky Toys Inc. (Julia Ko and Steve Thai), Union Import Inc. (Simon Ko), Rita Chin (owner of the now-defunct Kool Imports Inc.), 333 Imports Inc. (Harry Chin), and Seven Stars Toys Imports Inc. (Ivan Ko). All of these individuals are related as siblings or in-laws.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc., of Chicago, Ill. is voluntarily recalling about 17,000 toy steering wheel attachments sold on strollers. The steering wheel can break away from its base, allowing the small plastic turn signal and horn pieces to come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

As the summer season approaches and swimming pools begin to open, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Aqua-Leisure Industries Inc., of Avon, Mass., reminds consumers of a voluntary recall of about 90,000 "SunSmart" baby floats announced in November 2001. The leg holes in the seat of the float can tear, causing children to unexpectedly fall into the water and possibly drown.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rose Art Industries Inc., of Livingston, N.J. is voluntarily recalling about 188,000 cotton candy machines. The motors on the cotton candy machines can jam and overheat, posing a fire hazard. Additionally, the heating unit can be activated without the spinner in place, presenting a risk of burn to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dorel Juvenile Group Inc., of Columbus, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 26,000 Safety 1st and Beatrix Potter "Designer 22" infant car seats/carriers. When the seat is used as a carrier, the plastic handle can unexpectedly release from the carrying position. When this happens, an unrestrained infant can fall to the ground and suffer injuries.

QVC, Inc., of West Chester, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 11,100 Red Devil Gas Grills for the attachment of warning labels and the provision of revised operating instructions. These red metal gas grills have a tripod stand. They have a logo on the label of the lid and grill base showing a devil cooking at a grill with the writing, "Red Devil." The lid also reads "The Portable Outdoor Kitchen." Components sold with the grill include a heat plate, an oversized skillet with handles, a table-safe serving trivet, and carrying totes. QVC sold the grills between May 1999 and December 2000. The grills were sold to consumers for approximately $150.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Seismic Safety Products Inc., a subsidiary of Pacific Aerospace & Electronics Inc., both of Wenatchee, Wash., is voluntarily recalling approximately 600 Earthquake gas shut-off valves. These gas valves could stick in the open position allowing gas to flow freely, which poses a risk of serious injury to consumers from fire and explosion during an earthquake.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), E-filliate Inc., of Rancho Cordova, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 12,000 extension cords. The cords have reversed polarity, which can present electric shock and electrocution hazards to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Philips Electronics, of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 93,000 speaker power adapters sold with Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) business desktop computers. The speaker power adapter's power cord connector is not grounded, posing a potential shock hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Fitness Quest Inc., of Canton, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 310,000 Total Gym exercise machines. The handles on these exercise machines can detach during use and the cable attached to the handles can break, resulting in injury to the user.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about 155,000 Red Devil gas grills manufactured by e4L Inc., of Encino, Calif., and, Quantum North America Inc., of Encino, Calif. The product's design allows consumers to light the grill at an air intake tube, instead of at the burner. Though the grill appears to function normally, gas inside the air intake tube ignites. The tube can reach temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and present a burn hazard to consumers. In some earlier grills, the heat produced by lighting the grill at the air intake tube damaged the plastic support piece, and caused the grill to fall to the ground. When it collapses, flames from the grill can burn nearby consumers and ignite surrounding combustibles.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rocky Mountain Bicycles, of Delta, British Columbia, Canada, is voluntarily recalling about 660 mountain bicycles. The chainstay that holds the rear wheel in place can fail, causing the rear wheel to separate from the bicycle. This can cause the rider to lose control and crash.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ryobi Technologies, Inc. (RTI), of Anderson, S.C. is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 RYOBI brand hammer drills. The on-off trigger can stick, or the lock-on button can jam, posing a risk of physical injury to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., of Brookfield, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 18,000 Power Plus automotive chargers that plug into automotive cigarette lighters. The automotive chargers are often used on job sites to charge power tool batteries. When used under low voltage conditions, the chargers can overheat. This poses a fire hazard.

Baseline Design of Linwood, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 30,000 bean bag chairs. The bean bag chairs are designed with 12-inch double zippers in various types of motifs: a smiley face, a football-shape, a baseball-shape, a basketball-shape and solid neon green, yellow, pink and blue neon colors. Walmart stores sold the bean bag chairs nationwide from September 1999 through December 1999 for about $30.

Astra International of New York, NY and Consumers Union of Yonkers, NY are voluntarily recalling about 15,000 glove compartment organizers. Astra International imported and sold these glove compartment organizers exclusively to Consumers Union. They were mailed in a white cardboard box, the kit is a black-cloth-covered case containing a flashlight, tire gauge, pocketknife, pen, and pad. Consumer Reports magazine, published by Consumers Union, offered this premium to new subscribers between October 2001 and April 2002.

Total Gym Fitness LLC, of West Chester, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 3,100 Total Gym XL exercisers. To operate the exercise equipment, consumers lie on a glideboard that rolls on an inclined track as the user pulls the hand cords. The Total Gym XL home exercise equipment has a double rail system that attaches to a support column at a degree of incline selected by the consumer. A glideboard slides on the rails. The consumer lies on the glideboard and, using a pulley system, pulls the glideboard from the ground to the support column with their own body weight providing the resistance. The recalled exercisers are black and chrome and have 'Total Gym XL' written on the glideboard. Total Gym Fitness LLC sold the exercisers directly to consumers nationwide through television infomercials between January 2002 and February 2002 for about $1,300.

Club Car, Inc. of Augusta, Ga. is voluntarily recalling about 7300 model year 2002 Club Car gasoline-powered DS Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles. The recalled vehicles are serial numbers 0229-169750 through 0236-197543. The serial number is located on a decal just above and to the right of the accelerator pedal. The golf cars were sold from February 2002 through April 2002 through authorized Club Car dealers nationwide for $4000 to $9000.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Eugenio Serafin Inc., of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is voluntarily recalling about 32,500 electric showerhead hot water heaters. The showerhead hot water heaters are attached to the shower's water supply piping and connected to the household electrical supply source when central hot water is not available. The nozzle can be easily unscrewed, exposing the uninsulated heater coil. The heater coil's grounding screw does not sufficiently reduce the current through the water, posing an electrocution and shock hazard to the bather.

Sears Roebuck and Co. of Hoffman Estates, Ill. is voluntarily recalling about 900 riding lawn mowers. The recall involves model number 247.270250, which is visible on the model plate of the machine located under the seat. The name Craftsman Lawn Utility Vehicle appears on the side of the mower. The recalled mower is green, has a 24" cutting deck, a 6.75 horsepower mid-mount engine, and a rear utility bed. Sears sold these riding lawn mowers nationwide from February 2002 to April 2002 for about $999.

Best Lock Corp., d/b/a/ Best Access Systems, of Indianapolis, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 electronic door locks. The IDH Max™, B.A.S.I.S® G and B.A.S.I.S.® V (Magstrip and Smartcard versions) cylindrical and mortise electronic door lock products are often installed in college and university dormitories, schools and hospitals. The IDH Max™, B.A.S.I.S.® G and B.A.S.I.S.® V products were sold directly or through authorized distributors to the commercial and industrial markets between 2000 and December 2001.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Prestige Toy Corp., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 4,600 Duckie Ring rattle/teethers. The rattle may break, causing small beads to fall out, which presents a potential choking hazard to young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) today launched a national safety campaign aimed at reducing deaths associated with placing babies in adult beds. The announcement was made at a press conference at the annual International Juvenile Products Show in Dallas, Texas. CPSC data shows that from 1999 through 2001 at least 180 children under the age of two died after being placed in adult beds.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ECR International, of Utica, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 gas-fired boilers. The burners on these boilers could produce excess carbon monoxide (CO) in the flue, due to improper combustion, posing a risk of CO poisoning to consumers.

Even as technology improves, the electrocution hazards of the past can resurface and pose a danger to consumers. With satellite dishes, cable TV, cellular phones, and the Internet replacing traditional TV, radio, and CB systems, consumers may be taking out their ladders and taking down their old antennas. If proper precautions are not used, the result can be deadly. In recognition of National Electrical Safety Month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding consumers of the serious electrocution hazard when ladders or antennas touch high-voltage, overhead power lines.