Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for June 16, 2006.

Here are some recent recalls announced by CPSC.

Fitness Quest Inc. recalled about 154,000 Gazelle Freestyle Crosstrainers and Crosstrainer Pro Gliders.

The resistance pistons on the glider can come off during exercise. If this happens, a person using the glider can fall off the exercise machine.

Fitness Quest has received 145 reports of pistons detaching and one report of a minor injury from a fall.

The Gazelle Freestyle Crosstrainer and Crosstrainer Pro exercisers are “glider-style” exercise equipment. The user moves two foot platforms in a striding motion back and forth while grasping handlebars attached to the platforms. They were sold by The Home Shopping Network, The Shopping Channel, and Dicks Sporting Goods beginning in January 2004 for between $200 and $250.

Consumers can continue to use the gliders until they receive the repair kit as long as they first detach the pistons on the machines.

Consumers who purchased a Crosstrainer Pro from Dick’s should contact Fitness Quest for a free repair kit at (800) 321-9236 . Consumers who purchased a machine from the Home Shopping Network or the Shopping Channel will receive a free repair kits by mail or they were included with machines sold after January 1, 2006.

CPSC recently announced two recalls of girls’ shoes:

H&M USA Recalled about 1,900 pairs of Girl’s Water Shoes.

Though these shoes are marketed for use around water for traction, they become extremely slippery when wet. This poses a risk of slipping and falling on smooth, hard surfaces such as tile.

No injuries have been reported.

These are pink and blue shoes with a multi-colored trim. The shoes have a pink rubber sole with silver glitter incased within it. A butterfly appliqué is attached to the top and flower emblems are on the back and sides. They were sold at H&M stores in the Northeast U.S. and California from March 2005 through May 2006 for about $8.

Consumers should stop using these shoes and immediately return them to any H&M store for a full refund.

For more information, call H&M toll free at (877) 439-6261, or visit H&M’s Web site at www.hm.com

Nine West Footwear Corporation Recalled about 6,700 pairs of Sam & Libby Girl’s Thong Sandals for a Laceration Hazard. The sandals’ metal tacks, which help to hold down the sides of the strap to the sole, can detach or be pulled out, posing a laceration hazard.

No incident or injuries have been reported.

The recalled models include the Fish, Starfish and Angelfish, which can be identified by the decoration attached to the sandals’ straps. The sandals’ straps are bright pink or bright turquoise. The top of the sole looks like wood. The top of the sole has a pink label with the words “Sam and Libby” written in silver. The sandals were sold in little girls’ size 11 through girls’ size 5.

They were sold at Stride Rite, Brothers, Century 21, and Marshalls stores nationwide from March 2006 through April 2006 for between $12 and $20.

Consumers should stop wearing these sandals immediately and return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Nine West Footwear’s Customer Relations Department at (800) 999-1877.

Finally this week, Simon & Schuster Inc. recalled about 9,000 Curious Buddies Children’s Books because the felt ears and limbs on the pop-up characters can detach or come apart when pulled. This may pose a choking hazard to young children.

Simon & Schuster has received two reports of 6-month-old infants who detached felt from the pop-up parts of the book. One child was able to mouth the torn material. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves the Curious Buddies cloth books titled “Hello, Curious Buddies!” Pictured on the cover of the books are the Curious Buddies’ characters. Inside the book are two plush pop-up toy characters.

They were sold at Bookstores, discount department stores and other retailers nationwide from October 2005 through May 2006 for about $10.

Consumers should immediately clip off the felt ears and limbs of the pop-up characters and place them out of a child’s reach. Simon and Schuster will provide consumers with information on how to return the felt pieces or the copyright tag from the book to receive a free replacement book.

For more information, call Simon & Schuster at (800) 732-9531 or visit the company’s Web site at www.simonsays.com

For additional information on all CPSC recalls and safety news, visit our Web site at www.cpsc.gov. Until next time, stay safe.

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