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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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December 1, 1989 |
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Release # 90-017 |
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Ming Ta Supply U.S.A., Santa Clarita, California is voluntarily recalling its 16-inch Mountain Jr. Bicycle, Model #1615, imported from Taiwan. The 16-inch sidewalk bicycle, which was sold by K mart stores throughout the country in March and April 1989, is not equipped with a chain guard to prevent a child's clothing from getting caught in the moving chain, the seat post is too long for a sidewalk bicycle, the handlebar stem is painted over making the minimum insertion marks unclear, and the bicycle is not provided with safety or operation instructions. These problems present a significant risk of injury to young children.
A total of 11,000 Mountain Jr. Bicycles were imported by Ming Ta Supply, U.S.A., and only 7,900 of them were distributed to K mart Corporation stores throughout the United States. K mart sold approximately 1,200 of these bicycles in March and April of 1989. Bicycles sold after June, 1989 have been reconditioned. Although no injuries have been reported to the importer, K mart, or to the Commission due to these defects, the recall is being undertaken as a precautionary measure.
Consumers who have these bicycles should bring them to any K mart retail store for reconditioning as a sidewalk bicycle. The store personnel will add a chain guard, replace the handlebar stem and seat post, and provide a set of safety and operating instructions without cost to the consumer. The 16-inch Mountain Jr. bicycles equipped with chain guards have been modified and are not subject to the recall.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800
