[Recalls Page]

September 1999 Recalls and Product Safety News

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tecumseh Products Co., of Grafton, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 118,000 engines equipped with a fuel shut- off valve on various brands of outdoor power equipment. Fuel can leak from a small hole in the engine's fuel line, presenting fire and explosion hazards to consumers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that The Mazel Company, of Solon, Ohio, was sentenced to pay a criminal penalty of $40,000 after pleading guilty to four counts of selling banned children's toys. The toys had been recalled by their New Jersey importer in 1996 because they contained small parts, which posed a choking hazard to young children. However, following the recall, the importer resold the toys to Mazel. Between August 1996 and February 1997, Mazel sold approximately 800 Teddy Precious Collectible Bears to small retail stores throughout the United States.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents and caregivers about the dangers of placing babies to sleep in adult beds. A CPSC study published in the October issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that placing babies to sleep in adult beds puts them at risk of suffocation or strangulation. This is a danger of which many parents and caregivers are unaware. The study revealed an average 64 deaths per year to babies under the age of 2 years placed to sleep in adult beds, including waterbeds and daybeds.

As the home heating season approaches, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel-burning appliances -- including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers and space heaters -- to detect deadly carbon monoxide (CO) leaks.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), PPG Architectural Finishes (PPGAF) is voluntarily recalling about 420,000 jugs of Olympic Deck Cleaner. Caps used to seal the plastic jugs can allow air pressure to build up and cause the cleaner to seep past the cap or be expelled when the cap is removed. Eye damage or skin irritation could occur from direct contact with the product.

Sonca Products Ltd., of Hong Kong, is voluntarily recalling about 5,500 toy flashlights because the batteries may overheat or leak and children can suffer burns. New Buffalo Corp., of Chesterfield Mo., is recalling about 2,800 Buffalo Fluorescent Work Lights because these lights can have undersized wiring and exposed electrical parts on the plug, posing a shock and fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the West Bend Co., of West Bend, Wis., is recalling about 16,000 model W10120 water distillers used to purify water. These distillers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Louisville Ladder Group LLC, of Louisville, Ky., is recalling about 10,700 RIDGID® brand stepladders. Some ladders have steps that are too short and are improperly attached to the ladder. The step can detach from the ladder, causing a consumer to fall.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Enesco Corp., of Itasca, Ill., is recalling the pom- poms from about 472,000 Precious Moments® Tender Tails® stuffed toys. The pom-poms on these toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), three firms, Stelex Enterprises Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.; Major Import, of Whittier, Calif.; and LeSa Yang Family Ltd. of Diamond Bar, Calif., are recalling about 912,000 cans of spray string sold under the names "Crazy Ribbon" and "Crazy String." These spray strings' propellant is extremely flammable, creating a serious risk of burn injuries when sprayed near an open flame, such as birthday candles.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Backyard Products, of Ontario, Canada, is recalling its 60,000 "Acrobatic Swings," sold with backyard gym sets in the U.S., for in-home repair. These trapeze swings have exposed bolts that cause serious lacerations to children.