Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for September 15th, 2006.

This week’s podcast includes an update on recent recalls, including a recall of all Segway Personal Transporters, and the recall of a TV stand sold by Pier 1 stores that resulted in the death of a Canadian child.

First off this week, Segway Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 23,500 Segway Personal Transporters, also known as the Segway Human Transporters.

The personal transporter can unexpectedly apply reverse torque to the wheels, which can cause a rider to fall. Segway Inc. has received six reports of incidents resulting in injuries to the head and wrist of users.

Consumers should stop using the Transporters immediately and contact the company to receive a free software upgrade.

For more information, call Segway Inc. at (800) 750-6557 or go to the firm’s Web site at www.segway.com.

In other recall news, Pier 1 Imports Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 4,300 Ming TV Stands. If a consumer leans on the stand’s drawer when its open, the unit can tilt forward and cause a television on top of the unit to slide off, posing a risk of injury or death.

Pier 1 hasn’t received any reports of injuries in the U.S., but, there was a report of a death of a young child in Canada which occurred when a television fell off one of these stands.

The Ming TV Stand is a brown wooden cabinet that measures about 23 inches high. It was sold from August 2005 through February 2006 for about $250.

Customers should immediately remove televisions or other heavy items from these TV stands. The stands should be returned to a Pier 1 Imports store for a refund or merchandise credit.

For additional information, contact Pier 1’s Customer Service at (800) 245-4595 or visit their Web site at www.pier1.com.

In addition to the recall of this TV stand, CPSC issued a warning this week to parents and caregivers about the general danger of televisions and heavy furniture tipping over and killing young children. The number of TV tip-over deaths reported to CPSC during the first 7 months of 2006 is already twice a typical year’s total of 5 deaths.

These deaths and injuries frequently occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks and chests. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.

From 2000 through 2005, CPSC has reports of 36 TV tip-over-related deaths and 65 furniture tip-over deaths.

To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:

Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor or attach all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving and bureaus to the floor or wall.

Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture.

Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand.

And, place electrical cords out of a child’s reach.

To get CPSC’s new safety alert called, “Preventing TV and Furniture Tip-Over Deaths,” visit www.cpsc.gov, and click on Publications.

Check out these items and other safety news announced this week at our Web site at www.CPSC.Gov. Search for “CPSC” and subscribe to our free Podcast on major Podcast Web sites to ensure you never miss important CPSC safety news. And, until next time, stay safe.

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