[Recalls Page]

May 2008 Recalls and Product Safety News

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), QuinCrafts, of Dexter, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 70,000 Makit & Bakit Jewelry Sets and Suncatcher Sets. The clasps on some of the jewelry 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), TWIE, also known as Tradewinds International Enterprises Inc., of San Francisco, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 152,000 “Sky Champion” Wireless Indoor Helicopters. The rechargeable battery contained inside the helicopter can catch fire, igniting the helicopter and nearby combustible materials. This poses a burn or fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, of Hudson, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 4,500 Best Value Park Benches. The benches can become unstable and break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

If a storm knocks out power, consumers who use portable gasoline generators to restore power can place themselves at risk for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Only use portable generators outdoors, far away from the doors, windows and vents of indoor spaces. Generators should never be used indoors, including inside homes, garages, basements, crawlspaces and sheds.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Provo Craft & Novelty Inc., of Spanish Fork, Utah, is voluntarily recalling about 730,000 Candlsense Warmers. The internal heating element of the candle warmer can detach and melt the bottom of its plastic casing, which can in turn ignite or scorch the surface on which the candle warmer is placed, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Miele Inc., of Princeton, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 3,100 Residential Super-large Gas Dryers. If the dryer is improperly installed, the dryer’s internal gas fitting can loosen, posing a risk of gas leaking into the house. Any gas leak that is not detected can cause asphyxiation, a fire or an explosion. Also, one or both of the caps on the internal exhaust duct can become dislodged, which can cause lint to build up and be carried through the gas burner. This poses a risk of fire.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kids Station Toys International Ltd. of Miami, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 1 million Little Tikes Chit ‘N Chat Toy Cell Phones. The hinge cover on the toy cell phone can detach from the phone, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Adio Footwear, of Carlsbad, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 300 Boy’s Hooded Zip Fleece Sweatshirts. The garments 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), Hearth & Home Technologies Inc., of Lakeville, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 22,000 IntelliSwitch Fireplace Wall Controls. Failure in the wall control system can cause the fireplace to turn on by itself creating a risk of property damage. If the control fails and the consumer has left combustible objects directly in front of an unattended fireplace, there may also be a risk of fire.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc., of St. Louis, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 2,300 Rawlings Junior Batting Helmets. Surface paint on the helmets contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), M & A Global Technologies Inc., doing business as Spa at Home, of Tallahassee, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 1,700 Gel Candles. The candles can have excessive flame height, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Specialty Lamp International Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 371,000 371,000. The recalled circuit breakers labeled “Square D” have been determined by Square D to be counterfeit and can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Toy Investments Inc., d/b/a Toysmith, of Auburn, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 300 Floppy Friends Horse Toys. Surface paint on the toy horse contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Scientific LLC, of Columbus, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 87,000 Magnets. Surface paint on the magnets can contain high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Early Childhood Resources LLC, of Mt. Laurel, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 900 Yellow Sure Grip Paint Brushes. Surface paint on the handle of the yellow paint brushes contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Disney Store, of Pasadena, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 Tinker Bell Wands. The paint on the pearl beads in the flowers of the wands contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Char-Broil LLC, of Columbus, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 400 Char-Broil Model 463720108 Two-Burner Gas Grills. On the recalled grills, the main burner does not fit correctly and does not connect properly to the gas valve which could result in a propane leak. This poses fire and burn hazards to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), West Music is voluntarily recalling about 6,500 Basic Beat Shaker Guiro Instruments. Surface paint on the recalled shaker guiro instrument contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), United Scientific, of Waukegan, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 2.35 million various magnets. Surface paint on the magnets contains high levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Disney Store, of Pasadena, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 4,100 Pirates of the Caribbean Sleeping Bags. The surface paint on the sleeping bag’s zipper pull contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Flame Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 12,000 Fireplace Gas Valves. Gas can continue to flow into the fireplace pilot light area after the switch has been turned “off,” posing a fire or explosion hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), BRP U.S. Inc., of Sturtevant, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 400 Ski-Doo Snowmobiles. Under extreme cold and dry weather conditions, an explosion could occur because of sparking in the fuel tank when it is partially filled with gasoline at a low vapor pressure and the engine is left idling. This could cause serious injuries or death.

A new report issued today by the staff of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicates that the average number of drowning deaths involving children younger than 5 in pools and spas has increased from a yearly average of 267 (for 2002-2004) to 283 (for 2003-2005). The average number of emergency room treated pool and spa submersion injuries decreased from an annual average of 2,800 (for 2004-2006) to 2,700 (for 2005-2007). The report also shows that the majority of deaths and injuries occur in residential settings and involve children ages 1-2. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death to children ages 1-4.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Douglas Co., of Keene N.H., is voluntarily recalling about 74,000 Lil’ Snugglers™ Children’s Blankets. The blanket’s satin edge can come loose, posing a strangulation hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Home Depot, of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 14,000 Candle Holders. Sunlight passing through the glass portion can cause nearby flammable materials to ignite, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), K2 Sports, of Seattle, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 2,500 pairs of K2 “Auto” Series Model Year 2007 Snowboard Bindings. The cable that links the toe strap to the binding could break, posing a fall hazard to snowboarders.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Master Toys & Novelties Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 Cowboy on a Horse Little Rider Toys. Surface paint on the shoe and pants of the rider toy contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Frigidaire Canada, a sister company of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 7,500 Kenmore Wall Ovens. During extended broiling, gas can build in the oven cavity and escape when the oven door is opened. This poses a burn and possible fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cricket Communications, of San Diego, Calif. (subsidiary of Leap Wireless International Inc.), is voluntarily recalling about 285,000 “Cricket EZ” Cellular Phones. A software problem with the cell phones causes audio problems with 911 calls. When a call is connected to 911, the operator may not hear the caller or the caller may not hear the 911 operator.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shindaiwa Corp., of Tualatin, Ore, is voluntarily recalling about 23,000 Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers. The blower’s impeller (fan) can separate from the base and break apart, causing plastic pieces to be blown out of the machine, and pose a laceration and impact hazard to consumers. The flying pieces also can cause property damage and injury to bystanders. Note: These backpack blowers were previously recalled due to a fire hazard.

With the arrival of the warmer spring weather, families across the nation are opening their windows to let the fresh air in. This pleasant feeling can quickly turn tragic in households with small children. In recent weeks, several children have fallen from windows. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents and caregivers to take precautions to keep children from falling from windows.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Paslode, of Vernon Hills, Ill, is voluntarily recalling about 86,000 "Tall Red" Fuel Cells. The fuel cells used to power cordless framing nailers can leak fuel, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Manhattan Group LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 7,000 Tumble Tower Infant Rattles. The blue plastic end caps of the rattle can break, resulting in small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Maple Chase Company, of Plain City, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 280,000 FireX Branded 10000 Series Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms and 12000 Series CO/Smoke Combo Alarms. The recalled alarms can sound a “double chirp”/fault alarm in the presence of CO, prior to going into full alarm. Upon hearing a double chirp, the Owner’s Manual instructions recommend a consumer take the alarm out of service, which could expose consumers to hazardous levels of CO and suffer injury or death.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Maran Inc., of North Bergen, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 Squeeze Kids Girl's Corduroy Jackets. The garments 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 and sweatshirts.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Umarex USA Inc., of Fort Smith, Ark., is voluntarily recalling about 7,250 Air Pistols. The air pistols can accidentally discharge, posing a risk of serious injury if the air pistol is loaded and pointed at the user or another person when it discharges.

Each year the ride between floors is made easier when an estimated 90 billion riders use an escalator. Although most of those rides are without incident, the CPSC estimates there were approximately 11,000 escalator related injuries in 2007. The majority of these injuries are from falls but 10 percent occur when hands, feet or shoes are trapped in escalators. The most common entrapment is to the foot. Soft-sided shoes are the most likely to get stuck and pose the possibility of injury to the rider.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Daiso LLC, of Burlingame, Calif, is voluntarily recalling about 24 Children's Rain Ponchoss. The garments have a drawstring through the hood, posing 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.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Munchkin Inc., of North Hills, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 5,000 Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmers. The bottle and food warmers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Honda Motor Co. Inc., of Torrance, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,400 Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs. The electric power steering shaft of the recalled ATVs could break unexpectedly, resulting in the rider’s losing steering control. This poses a risk of injury or death to riders.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fingerhut Direct Marketing, of Eden Prairie, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 1,900 Master Craft® Pressure Washers. The motor on the pressure washer can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), TJ Power Sports LLC, of Irving, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 400 Twister Hammerhead Dune Buggies. The seat belt adjustment for the shoulder buckle can break during impact or stress, posing an ejection and injury hazard to driver and passenger.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playworld Systems Inc., of Lewisburg, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 17,300 Playground Swing Sets. The clevis bearing on the swing set can wear, causing the swing to detach and the user to fall.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Weil-McLain, of Michigan City, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 1,800 Williamson-Thermoflo GWS and GWI Gas Boilers. If there is a leak in the vent piping, the recalled boilers can leak carbon monoxide (CO) into the buildings in which they are installed, posing a risk of CO poisoning.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Weil-McLain, of Michigan City, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 32,000 Weil-McLain CGs and CGi Gas Boilers. If there is a leak in the vent piping, the recalled boilers can leak carbon monoxide (CO) into the buildings in which they are installed, posing a risk of CO poisoning.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 4,800 Broil King Gas Grills sold at Independent retailers nationwide are being recalled. The bottom of the cook box that contains the burners can melt or crack as a result of a grease fire. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 84,000 Children’s Storage Bins sold at Lowe's stores are being recalled. Surface paint on the storage bins could contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), QVC, of West Chester, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 28,000 SoleusAir Space Heaters. The unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.