Recalls

The space between the upper rung of the ladder and the platform was small enough for a child's head to be inserted and become entrapped creating a potential for strangulation.

The Creative Playthings company that conducted the recall no longer exists. The replacement ladders are no longer available, and consumers should discard or destroy the ladder if they have the product.

Under certain circumstances, it is possible for a fire to occur as a result of an unexpected discharge of the lawn mower battery. The discharge occurs when the lawn mower battery is not in use and is either being recharged or is unattended.

Black & Decker will grant a prorated refund to all owners of the Model 8055 Battery Powered Lawn Mower and is attempting to locate all owners to inform them of the possible fire hazard and the repurchase program. All owners who have not received a certified letter from Black & Decker should contact the company immediately by calling (410) 665-7400.

It is alleged that in certain circumstances the valve may have failed, allowing LP gas to leak. Because LP gas, unlike natural gas, is heavier than air, it may accumulate near the floor. If the gas is exposed to an ignition source such as electric sparks or matches, an explosion may occur causing property damage and personal injury.

Consumers who own one of these valves should immediately contact their LP gas supplier or the nearest Honeywell Residential Office to arrange to have a new control valve installed free-of-charge.

The lamps could pose a potential safety hazard if the lightbulb socket is dislodged or removed from the lamp base, thereby exposing two electrical terminals positioned on either side of the socket.

Consumers who own one of the lamps should take the following steps to determine if there is a safety hazard: unplug the lamp, then remove the shade and turn the lamp upside down. Throw the lamp away if the bulb socket falls out of the base or is loose enough to expose the electrical terminals.

The recall is being conducted to replace the plastic brackets on about 98,000 full-sized "Baby Line" cribs manufactured by Questor. In several cases the plastic brackets have broken or bent, causing the mattress and springs to drop slightly.

Owners of these cribs should write to the manufacturer to obtain a free replacement kit containing metal hanger brackets and installation instructions. Letters should be addressed to Baby Line Furniture Co., 6235 South Street, Andrews Place, Los Angeles, California 90047, Attention: Corrective Program.

The bottom of the cribs may separate from the sides, allowing an infant to fall to the floor.

Consumers who own a non-date-coded model 320 "Kantwet Trav-L- Crib" can obtain a free replacement unit by mailing a six-inch-by-six-inch swatch of material cut from the vinyl basket plus the white law tag from the mattress to: "Trav-L-Crib," 1801 Commerce Drive, Piqua, Ohio, 45356.

Beacon and the CPSC warn that if customers ignore the products assembly instructions and neglect to secure the seat with a bolt and nut supplied in the parts bag accompanying each bike, the unit's plastic seat may be punctured by the seat post. 

As part of its voluntary program, the manufacturer is providing a free replacement kit consisting of a bolt, lock washer, nut, warning decal, and instructions for attaching the seat. The kit also tells customers how to look for signs of possible seat failure.

The agency said that owners of units without the seat bolt and nut in place should stop using them and contact the manufacturer. Owners of units with the bolt and nut in place should make sure that the nut is secured tightly.

The fabric may burn rapidly if ignited after repeated washing and drying.

To receive a full refund, consumers should return the robes to the customer convenience center service desk of any Sears store.

The saw's "on/off" switch may fail to function properly, causing the chain saw to continue to run after release of the trigger or to start spontaneously when put down after use. 

Black and Decker of Canada has produced an improved '"on/off" switch that will eliminate the restarting problem, according to McCulloch. Consumers should immediately stop using their "Electramac" chain saws and bring them to a Black and Decker Service Center for repair. New "on/off" switches will be incorporated into their saws free-of-charge. Units with new switches, which will now be on sale, will be designated "Type 2" on the label on the saw.

Some of the firm's 185,000 smoke detectors manufactured from March 1, 1979 to March 15, 1981 may contain a transistor array semiconductor that will not operate in the presence of smoke.

Commercial and residential users may verify the integrity of the smoke detectors by testing the horn with a fresh factory specified 9-volt battery. If the horn sounds when the test button is pressed, the detector does not contain a defective microchip; if the horn does not sound, the user is requested to call Roberta Calla of Chloride Pyrotector at 1-800-343-5647 for instructions on where to send the product for a free replacement or repair.