Recalls

A program to repair as many as 55,000 liquid propane and natural gas furnaces used in mobile homes is being conducted by the manufacturer because the furnaces may pose a risk of death or poisoning by leaking carbon monoxide gas if portions of the vent system corrode.

Consumers then should identify whether they possess an MMG model by opening the door and determining whether the large vertical pipe inside is approximately five inches across (see attached drawing). If so, consumers should call the manufacturer's toll-free number at 1-800-253-3874 (in Michigan, call collect at 1-616-394-4326). The firm will arrange for free installation of a new flue-pipe extension.

About 40,000 recreational sweatshirts made in China and distributed nationally by a New York importer are being recalled because they fail to meet federal flammability standards.

Consumers are being advised to return the garments to the store from which they purchased them to obtain full refunds.

In the case of sweatshirts purchased from Korvettes (which is no longer is business), consumers should mail them directly to Grace International Apparel, Inc., Room 7401, Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, 10001. The company has agreed to refund the purchase price ($5.99) plus any appropriate shipping charges.

Testing of the toy animals by CPSC showed that a substantial percentage of the noses and eyes of the teddy bears could be pulled off easily, thus posing a potential choking hazard.

Consumers are being urged to mail their children's teddy bears directly to Far East International at 1182 Broadway, Room 901, New York, New York, 10001. The company will provide full refunds or another toy animal of comparable value and will reimburse consumers for mailing costs.

The importer also will alert each of its retail customers to the safety hazards and to the procedures to be followed in carrying out the recall. The company has stopped making further shipments of these teddy bears.

More than 150,000 lead kits for electrical test meters are being recalled by Radio Shack, of Fort Worth, Texas, because they may pose a shock hazard to consumers.

Consumers should return their kits to the nearest Radio Shack store for a full refund. For information on store locations, consumers should consult their local telephone directories or write to Radio Shack, One Tandy Center, Floor 1800, Fort Worth, Texas, 76102.

The controls contain a potentially defective valve which could cause a gas leak and subsequent explosion and fire.

In 1974, Robertshaw notified CPSC of the potential defect in the gas controls, and subsequently instituted a program to repair the devices.

Consumers who own LP gas water heaters should check the heater control to determine if a Unitrol model 110 or 200 with a date code mentioned above has been used. If so, consumers then should contact Robertshaw at its toll-free number 800-421-1130. In California call 800-262-1173. Following a free inspection, the firm will install new controls if appropriate.

When the bars become partially or completely detached from the rubber belts and when the snowmobile is lifted or turned on its side exposing the rotating track, bars can strike the hands, legs or feet of a person who is lifting the snowmobile or standing next to the rotating track.

Kawasaki has agreed to replace, free-of-charge, all MGB tracks on the 1978-79 Intruder and Invader models with its current model track which has no bars. Owners of these snowmobile models are urged to contact their local Kawasaki dealer for information on the track replacement program. Track replacement will be performed by Kawasaki dealers as the replacement tracks become available from the manufacturer.

The recall program involves LP (liquid Propane) gas water heaters containing White-Rodgers thermostats. Typically it appeared that during the life of the product, the pilot gas control knob of the thermostat became damaged so that the safety valve became stuck in the "open" position, allowing LP gas to escape. Liquid propane is heavier than air; therefore, in the event of a leak, LP gas can accumulate near the floor (rather than escaping up through pipe vents) and explode from a variety of ignition sources, including an electric spark.

Following negotiations with CPSC staff, White-Rodgers agreed to mail safety alert notices to all the identifiable users of LP gas in the United States -- or an estimated 15 million households. Each notice will describe the White-Rodgers thermostat which is eligible for replacement. If consumers believe that their water heater contains one of the potentially hazardous thermostats, they are instructed to telephone a toll-free hotline at White-Rodgers headquarters (800-325-9589) to arrange for replacement with a new, modified thermostat free-of-charge to consumers. (Residents of Missouri, Alaska or Hawaii should call the company collect at 314-631-9321).

In its notice, White-Rodgers will inform consumers using LP gas that they can obtain replacement thermostats by calling the toll-free number, by contacting LP gas dealers or, in appropriate cases, by contacting the service departments of water heater manufacturers. All LP gas dealers also are being notified of the replacement program and are being offered by White-Rodgers a finder's fee for locating each White-Rodgers thermostat eligible for replacement and a separate service fee for each new, modified thermostat installed.

Testing by CPSC of a random sample of the bears showed that one of the bears contained a potentially hazardous sharp wire in the stuffing, leading CPSC staff to believe that a significant portion of the other Squeeze Me Bears in stores and consumers homes also may contain such wires. The potential danger lies in the possibility that the wire may work its way through the bear's fur.

Consumers are being urged to return their Squeeze Me Bears to the retailer where the toy was purchased for a full refund. The distributor will alert each of its customers to the hazards and the procedures to be followed in carrying out the recall. The distributor has ceased making further shipments of this stuffed toy.

CPSC has received a number of consumer complaints of small wires protruding from the toy animals. Testing by CPSC revealed that a substantial percentage of the toys tested contained sharp wires in the stuffing.

Consumers are being urged to return their Pot Belly stuffed animals to the retailer where the toy was purchased for a full refund or replacement.

Playskool, Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, has announced that two "Bristle Block" components, which may detach in use and abuse testing, fail to comply with a regulation designed to prevent children under 3 from swallowing small parts.

These parts should be discarded and will be replaced without charge to customers. Members of the public who have these Bristle heads and wheel-and-axel assemblies are urged to discard their old components and write to the company by postcard or letter requesting a replacement at the following address: PLayskool, Inc., P.O. Box 200, Pawtucket, RI, 02862-0200. Replacement will be provided free of charge by the company by return mail.