[Recalls Page]

August 2007 Recalls and Product Safety News

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Toys "R" Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 27,000 Imaginarium Wooden Coloring Cases. The printed ink on the outer packaging of the wood case contains lead. Also, some of the black watercolor paint contains excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C., is voluntarily recalling about 84,000 Toe-Space Electric Heaters. If the fan stops working and the heater continues to run, the unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), B&F System Inc., of Dallas, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 43,000 "Aloha Breeze" Portable Electric Heaters. Booster cables in the recalled kits can have undersized wiring and inadequate connections, posing a fire and shock hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Aloha Housewares, Inc. of Arlington, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 281,000 “Aloha Breeze” Portable Electric Heaters. The heater can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 400 Zippity Hoodie and Sherpa Full Zip Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings distributed by Life is Good Inc., of Boston, Mass., are being voluntarily recalled. The sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood, posing a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Ore., a division of Fiskars Brands Inc., of Madison, Wis, is voluntarily recalling about 154,000 Gerber EAB (Exchange-A-Blade) Pocket Knives. During use, the back of the blade of the knife can slide past the blade support, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Paramount Apparel International Inc., of Bourbon, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 500 Toddler and Youth Nylon Bucket Hats. The hat has a drawstring, posing a strangulation hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), M&J Engineering, of Poway, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,500 AGA Swivels for Scuba Diving Masks. The swivel, which is attached to a diving mask, could separate while diving. This will result in a sudden loss of the diver’s air supply, causing the diver to engage in emergency ascent. This poses a risk of decompression sickness due to rapid ascent or drowning.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Oregon Scientific Inc., of Tualatin, Ore., is voluntarily recalling about 66,000 Oregon Scientific Weather Radios. The radios could fail to receive National Weather Service alert signals in certain areas of the country. In the event of severe weather, this failure could put a consumer’s life and property at risk.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark., is voluntarily recalling about 138,000 Ceramic Oil Torch Lamps. The ceramic torch head can come loose or be dislodged during use, allowing it to break and spill torch fuel. This poses a risk of cuts, fire or burn injuries and property damage.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wolverine World Wide Inc., of Rockford, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 9,500 Logger Boots. The recalled logger boots could be incorrectly labeled as resistant to electrical current. This poses a shock hazard to consumers who come in contact with an electrical current.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jo-Ann Stores Inc., of Hudson, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 Robbie Ducky™ Kids Watering Cans. The beak of the watering can contains lead in the paint, which violates the federal law prohibiting lead paint on children's toys. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shindaiwa Inc., Tualatin, Oregon, is voluntarily recalling about 22,000 Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers. The muffler’s outer shell can melt allowing exhaust gas to exit from the bottom or back side of the muffler. The exhaust gas may cause damage to the fuel tank creating a possible fire hazard for the user.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Calligaris USA Inc., of High Point, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 400 ICE Bar Stools. The seat on the bar stools can detach, causing the consumer to fall and suffer injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 4,000 Windsor Spindle-Back Side Chairs. The wood stretchers can split while in use and the chairs can collapse, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), I-O Data Device USA Inc., of San Jose, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 740 AC Adapters sold with Network Hard Disk Drives. The AC adapters can overheat or melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stokke, of Kennesaw, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 Sleepi Crib Foam Mattresses. The crib mattresses are not properly sized, creating a gap, posing an entrapment hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), St. Martin's Press, LLC, of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 35,000 Priddy "Trucks" Shaker Teether Books. Small pieces of the teether can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Millennium Apparel Group, of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 4,700 Basic Editions-brand Girls' Clothing Sets. The recalled shirts have drawstrings at the waist. Children can get entangled or caught in a vehicle door and can be dragged, posing a serious risk of injury or death. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Martin Designs Inc., of Ashland, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants™ Address Books and Journals. The paint on the metal spiral bindings of the address books and journals can contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Schylling Associates Inc., of Rowley, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 66,000 spinning tops and about 4,700 pails. Surface paints on the wooden handles of the tops and pails contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Buy-Rite Designs Inc., of Freehold, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 7,900 Children’s Divine Inspiration Charm Bracelets. The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), TOBY N.Y.C., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 14,000 TOBY & ME Jewelry Sets. The recalled metal jewelry sets contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

As students go off to college and leave the comforts of home, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning about the dangers of fires in college housing such as dormitories, fraternities, sororities and barracks. According to National Fire Protection Association data, the estimated number of fires in campus housing has risen dramatically in recent years, from a low of 1,800 fires in 1998 to 3,300 fires in 2005. From 2000 through 2005 there were 39 deaths and nearly 400 injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hampton Direct, of Williston, Vt., is voluntarily recalling about 27,000 Magnetic Toy Train Sets. The paint on the trains contains excessive amounts of lead, posing a risk of lead exposure to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Clarion Corp. of America, of Cypress, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,500 additional N.I.C.E. P200 Navigation and Entertainment Systems (about 2,500 were recalled in December 2006). The lithium-ion batteries in these units can melt or overheat posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents to put safety at the top of their lists of things to do and to pay special attention to helmets, art materials, and back-to-school clothing this fall.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), International Home Fashions Inc. (and sister company Bilt-Safe Technologies), of Black Mountain, N.C., are voluntarily recalling about 37,100 Classic Beauty Rest Electric Warming Throws. Bunching, folding or tucking of these electric throws can cause them to overheat, resulting in smoldering, melting, fire and burn hazards.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Robert Bosch Tool Corp., of Mount Prospect, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 811,000 Skil® brand Circular Saws. The trigger switch on the circular saw can be locked on or the switch can be turned on without the use of the safety lock-out. This can cause unexpected operation of the saw, posing a risk of laceration.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Giftco Inc., of Vernon Hills, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 24,000 Gold Pine Cone Candle Sets. The candles’ exterior paint and coating can ignite and catch fire, igniting nearby combustibles.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 7.3 million various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets. Small magnets inside the dolls and accessories can come loose. The magnets can be found by young children and swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1 million Doggie Day Care™ play sets. Small magnets inside the toys can fall out. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 683,000 Barbie and Tanner™ play sets. A small magnet inside the “scooper” accessory can come loose. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 253,000 “Sarge” die cast toy cars. Surface paints on the toys could contain lead levels in excess of federal standards. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 345,000 Batman™ and One Piece™ magnetic action figure sets. Small, powerful magnets inside the accessories of the toy figures can fall out and be swallowed or aspirated by young children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract inside the body and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage which can be fatal.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative, of Paxton, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 2,800 Junction Boxes Used with Water Heaters. Wiring connections within the junction box can become loose, posing an overheating and fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Formation Inc., of San Bruno, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 300 Drinking Glasses. The inner wall of the double-walled glasses can break easily, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,400 Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries containing Sony cells used in Toshiba notebook computers. The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), L G Sourcing, Inc., of North Wilkesboro, N.C., is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 Garden Treasures Cloud 9 Beyond Chairs. The chair can break when in the reclined position, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 24,500 Bistro Chairs. The chairs can collapse due to faulty rivets, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stübben North America, Inc., of Troy, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 500 Stübben Steeltec SEQ Stirrups. The stirrup's hinges can break, posing a fall hazard to riders.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rehvac Manufacturing Co., of San Antonio, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 4,700 Relief Plugs Used on Nitrous Oxide Systems and HVAC Service Tools. The safety relief plug can allow pressure to build in the cylinder of an HVAC pressure testing tool or Nitrous Oxide system. If the cylinder is overfilled and overheated it can burst, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Springs Window Fashions LLC, of Middleton, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 140,000 Basic Blindz® Window Blinds. The window blinds have a pull cord that is looped, posing a strangulation hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Orvis Company, of Manchester, Vt., is voluntarily recalling about 220 Stuffed Plush Horse/Pillows and 1,300 Fairy Dolls. The plastic button eyes on the stuffed horse and the pompom nose on the fairy doll toy can easily detach, posing a small parts choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Raleigh America Inc., of Kent, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 1200 2007 Raleigh Cadent Bicycles with Carbonage Carbon Forks. The forks can break during normal use, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer serious injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Sherwin-Williams Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 3,000 Hi-Heat Aerosol Coating Cans. The aerosol cans can over-pressurize and explode, posing a risk of injury to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Plan 9 Inc., of White Salmon, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 340 E Lights. The circuit board in the lights can overheat, posing a risk of fire.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hanna Andersson Inc., of Portland, Ore., is voluntarily recalling about 3,900 Birchwood Sole Sandal Clogs. The leather ankle strap can tear or separate from the clog sole, posing a fall hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Trane, of Tyler, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 135,000 Stand-alone CleanEffects and AccuClean Air Filtration Systems. Electrical arcing inside the collection cells can cause the collection cell material to overheat or ignite, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Club Car Inc., of Augusta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1,900 Golf Cars; Rough Terrain Vehicles; and Hospitality, Utility & Transport Vehicles. The steering gear assembly can fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of steering control, posing a risk of injury to the driver and passenger.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 967,000 Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and other children's toys. Surface paints on the toys could contain excessive levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Each year, 33.1 million people are injured by consumer products in the home. Some hazards are from products the Agency has warned about for years; others come from new products and technologies. To keep Americans informed of dangers, the CPSC has identified the Top Five Hidden Home Hazards – associated with products that people may be using everyday, but are unaware of the dangers that they can cause. These home hazards are often unseen or unnoticed by consumers.