CPSC Announces Recall Round-Up of Deadly Products
Press Release #02-139
Transcript
There is no audio for this video clip. The picture sequence is as follows:
TEXT - GE and Hotpoint Dishwashers:
The GE and Hotpoint dishwashers have a slide switch that can melt and ignite, presenting a life hazard. CPSC is aware of approximately 90 incidents associated with these dishwashers. GE manufactured 3.1 million of these dishwashers between 1983 and 1989. GE is offering a free repair option in the form of a rewiring for its recalled GE and Hotpoint dishwashers. With the free rewire option, a GE-authorized technician will rewire the slide switch at no cost to consumers. This supplements the original rebate program which the company offered and is still ongoing. Call GE at 800-599-2929
(Views of recalled GE dishwasher and recalled Hotpoint dishwasher. Close-up view of where to find dishwasher model number. View of GE technician driving the GE Appliances van and then gathering his tools.)
TEXT - Whirlpool (Kenmore) Dishwashers:
Wiring in the door latch may overheat and catch fire. There have been over 40 reports of fires with these dishwashers. Whirlpool Corporation is providing free repair for the 500,000 recalled Whirlpool and Kenmore brand dishwashers sold from June 1991 through October 1992. Owners of both brands should call 800-874-9481 for the free repair.
(Views of recalled dishwasher. Closeup view of where to find dishwasher label and model number.)
TEXT - Window Blind Cords With Loops:
Window blinds may have pull cords and inner cords that can form a loop and cause strangulation if children become entangled in the pull cords or the inner cords. CPSC knows of 130 strangulation deaths to children since 1991. In 1995, CPSC worked with the industry to eliminate the pull cord loops on new window blinds. However, old window blinds with looped pull cords and inner cords must be repaired. There were about 85 million units sold each year. Call the Window Covering Safety Council for free repair kit: 800-506-4636, or go to their web site: www.windowcoverings.org
(View of unsafe window blind cords. View of a baby doll entangled, hanging in the cords to demonstrate the hazard of pull cords. View of consumer using scissors to cut unsafe window blind cords and attaching plastic ends on the end of both pieces of string. View of baby playing next to window with blinds. View of window blinds with unsafe inner cords. View of baby doll entangled, hanging in unsafe inner cords to demonstrate the hazard. Views of consumer repairing window blind cords.)
TEXT - Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamps:
Halogen floor lamps need a wire guard to help reduce the fire risk. Over 40 million halogen floor lamps made before 1997 need the wire guard. CPSC knows of 270 fires and 19 deaths since 1992 related to halogen torchiere floor lamps. You can get free wire guards by sending a postcard to: Attention Consumer Services, 18191 NW 68th Avenue, Miami, FL 33015 (note the first line of the address beginning with "Attention" has been modifed).
(Views of unsafe halogen lamps. View of halogen lamp and drapes catching on fire. View of consumer installing wire guard on lamp.)
TEXT - Playpens
Some older playpens can collapse and entrap a child in the V-shape folded top rails because the top rails must be turned to set up the playpen. CPSC is aware of 15 deaths to children when the top rails of playpens collapsed. A new industry standard requires that the top rails of these playpens automatically lock into place when the playpen is fully set up. CPSC obtained voluntary recalls of the following playpens with top rails that had to be turned into place when setting up the playpen: Evenflo "Happy Camper" "Happy Cabana," and "Kiddie Camper," Century "Fold-N-Go" Models 10-710-and 10-810, Baby Trend "Home and Roam" and "Baby Express," and Kolcraft "Playskool Travel-Lite Model." CPSC also issued a safety warning about "All Our Kids" Models 742 and 762 playpens imported by a firm that is out of business.
(Various views of unsafe playpen models.)
TEXT - Cosco Playpens
Cosco playpens models "Zip n Go," "Okie Dokie," and "Carters" distributed by Dorel Juvenile Group have plastic tabs on the playpen that lock the rails into the corners. The plastic tabs can break or loosen over time, allowing the rails to turn inward, collapse, and entrap an infant. There were 102,000 playpens sold from May 1995 through December 1999. There were 421 reports of rails not locking: 1 death to a baby whose chest was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of this playpen. Contact Dorel Juvenile Group to get a refund or replacement product at 800-314-9327 or www.djgusa.com
(Views of cosco playpen models. View of baby doll in collapsed playpen to demonstrate the hazard.)
TEXT - Lane Cedar Chests
Cedar chests made by the Lane Company between 1912 and 1987 have lids that automatically latch shut when closed. CPSC and Lane are aware of 12 children (5 in the last year) suffocating inside the chests when the lid closed and automatically latched shut. Only those made between 1912 and 1987 and sold under the "Lane" and "Virginia Maid" brands are involved. Contact the company to get a free replacement lock to prevent entrapment. Call (888) 856-8758 or go to www.lanefurniture.com
(Various views of Lane Cedar Chests and consmers storing items in the chests. View of consumer repairing a chest with replacement lock.)
TEXT - Old Cribs
Old cribs made before CPSC's safety standards may have more than 2 3/8 inches between crib slats; corner posts that extend above the level of the headboard or footboard that present suffocation and strangulation hazards. Cribs with missing or broken parts also present a risk of death. CPSC estimates there are 35 deaths per year in old cribs. Destroy old cribs and those with missing or broken parts. Get a crib that meets current safety standards.
(Various views of unsafe, old cribs some of the hazards they present.)
TEXT - Old Chest Freezers
Old chest freezers made between 1945 and 1970 had heavy lids that latch. Children can suffocate in old chest freezers (and in other products with heavy lids that latch). CPSC knows of 27 deaths between 1980 and 1999 in old chest freezers. Destroy the old freezer, take the door off, or remove or disable the latch. Contact 800-267-3138 or http://aham.org/Freezer_Safety/Freezer_Safety.cfm.
(Various views of old freezers. View of consumer taking the screws and door off an old freezer.)
TEXT - Old Electric Hairdryers
Hairdryers without built-in shock protection devices in the plug can cause electrocution. Since the early 1990's, hairdryers have had built-in shock protection devices to prevent electrocution if submerged in water. Destroy the old hairdryers. Do not sell them at garage sales or give themto thrift stores.
(Views of various old hairdryers.)
TEXT - New Hair Dryers
New hair dryers should have the shock protection device built into the large rectangular-shaped plug.
(Views of new hair dryer with rectangular-shaped plug.)
TEXT - Old Multi-Purpose Lighters
CPSC set a standard (effective December 22, 2000) requiring multi-purpose lighters to be child-resistant. These lighters, also known as grill lighters, fireplace lighters, utility lighters, micro-torches, or gas matches, are used to light candles, charcoal, campfires and stoves, fuel-fired appliances, and pilot lights. Over a 12-year period, these multi-purpose lighters were used by children under age 5 to ignite at least 237 fires, resulting in 45 deaths and 103 injuries. Throw away the old non-child-resistant lighters and replace them with child-resistant multi-purpose lighters.
(Various views of old mulit-purpose lighters.)
TEXT - Drawstrings on Children's Jackets and Sweatshirts
Drawstrings around the neck can catch and strangle children. In 1995, CPSC worked with industry to eliminate hood and neck drawstrings on kids' jackets and sweatshirts. CPSC knows of 23 deaths and 56 non-fatal incidents between 1985 and 2000. Pull out or cut all neck drawstrings on children's jackets and sweatshirts. For recall information, people can call CPSC's toll-free hotline (800) 638-2772 or visit the CPSC web site at http://www.cpsc.gov. For a list of major recalls, people can send a postcard to "Recall List", CPSC, Washington, DC 20207.
(Views of children's clothing with drawstrings around the neck. Views of consumers removing the drawstrings from the clothing.)
End.