Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for August 11, 2006.
This week in recall news, Dollar Tree Stores is voluntarily recalling about 600,000 Counterfeit 6-foot Power Extension Cords.
The counterfeit extension cords could have undersized wire and substandard insulation, which can cause overheating, resulting in a possible shock hazard.
No incidents or injuries have been reported.
The recalled cords are green, measure 6 feet long, are intended for indoors and have a three-outlet extension. Attached to the cord is a silver counterfeit UL holographic label marked "09/01 E157848 UL LISTED CORD SET BW-3045 13A 125V 1625W”.
They were sold at Dollar Tree Stores, Dollar Bill$, and Dollar Express nationwide from November 2005 through May 2006 for $1.
Consumers should stop using the recalled extension cords immediately and return them to any Dollar Tree store for a refund.
For additional information, contact Dollar Tree Stores Inc., at (800) 876-8077, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.dollartree.com
Also this week, Quiksilver is voluntarily recalling about 48,000 Quiksilver and Roxy Girl lounge pants. These lounge pants fail to meet the children’s sleepwear flammability standards, posing a risk of burn injury to children, due to the possible ignition of the garment. No incidents or injuries have been reported.
The recalled loungewear was sold in girls and boys sizes 7 through 14 in plaid, camouflage, floral and heart print patterns with elastic or drawstring waistbands. Girls’ items are labeled “ROXY GIRL” and boys’ items are labeled “QUIKSILVER”. For specific information on which models are included in this recall, consumers should contact the firm.
They were sold in surf and skate shops, specialty stores, and department stores nationwide including Macy’s, McCalou’s, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Quiksilver and Roxy retail stores and outlets, from September 2003 through January 2006 for between $20 and $50.
Parents should stop their children from wearing the recalled lounge pants immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
For information, consumers should contact Quiksilver at (800) 576-4004, or e-mail the firm at channels@quiksilver.com
Finally this week, Summer is quickly coming to an end and parents and children nationwide are preparing for another school year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding parents to take precautions to keep children safe when they head back to school.
One hazard to watch for is drawstrings on children’s clothing size 2T to 12. This hidden hazard can lead to deaths and injuries because drawstrings can catch on such items as playground equipment.
CPSC recommends that parents or caregivers only buy upper outerwear without hood and neck drawstrings. If you find children’s clothing with drawstrings in your home, completely remove the hood and neck drawstrings.
Many children ride bikes, scooters and skateboards to school. To reduce the risk of serious head injury or death, children should wear a helmet - and it is important to wear the appropriate helmet for your sport.
Look for a label inside the bicycle helmet indicating it meets the CPSC standard. Other sport helmets, including those for skateboarders and football players, have labeling certifying compliance with other standards.
Each year, more than 200,000 children are taken to hospital emergency rooms due to playground-related injuries. Most injuries occur when a child falls onto the playground surface.
There should be a layer of safe, shock absorbing surface material around playground equipment.
In addition to CPSC’s Web site at cpsc.gov, also bookmark Recalls.gov and visit the site to get information on recalls issued by other government agencies in addition to CPSC.
Until next time, stay safe.
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