Monthly Archives: June 2011

Child’s Entrapment Death Prompts Big Lots Recall of Metal Futon Bunk Beds

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Child’s Entrapment Death Prompts Big Lots Recall of Metal Futon Bunk Beds

Child's Entrapment Death Prompts Big Lots Recall of Metal Futon Bunk Beds

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Big Lots, of Columbus, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 30,000 metal futon bunk beds.

Children behind the futon or in the ladder area of the bunk bed can get entrapped when the futon and its metal frame are lowered from the seated to the flat position. This is what happened to a three-year old Burlington, Iowa boy who died when he became entrapped at the head and neck in the recalled bunk bed in March of 2010. The weight of the futon’s metal frame prevented the child from breathing and escaping. CPR was administered, but the child died at the hospital due to compression asphyxiation.

The bunk beds have an additional hazard. The space between the last rung on the bunk bed’s ladder and the futon mattress is too small, which can allow a child’s body to pass through, but not the head, posing a head and neck entrapment hazard.

The metal futon bunk beds have an upper bunk designed to hold a twin mattress. The bottom bunks have a convertible futon bed.

The recall involves metal futon bunk beds with model number BFB1008 located on a label on the upper bunk support rail. The recalled metal futon bunk beds were sold exclusively by Big Lots stores nationwide from January 2009 through April 2010 for about $200. They were sold unassembled, and were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using these bunk beds and contact Big Lots for a free repair kit that contains new ladders and other parts that consumers can install at home.

For additional information, contact Big Lots toll-free at (866) 244-5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail the firm at talk2us@biglots.com or visit the firm’s website www.biglots.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11250.html

Emma’s Garden Polka-Dot Girls’ Dresses Recalled by TJX

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Emma’s Garden Polka-Dot Girls’ Dresses Recalled by TJX Due to Choking Hazard

The decorative buttons on the front of the dress can detach, posing a choking hazard.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Emma’s Garden® Polka-Dot girls’ dresses

Units: About 21,000 in the U.S.; 2,600 in Canada

Importer: The TJX Companies, Inc., of Framingham, Mass.

Hazard: The decorative buttons on the front of the dress can detach, posing a choking hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported in the United States or Canada

Description: This recall involves the Emma’s Garden® polka-dot dresses. The girls’ dresses in sizes 12 months to 5T were sold in black and white and pink and white. There are three decorative buttons which are round, white and approximately ¾ inch in diameter. Dresses sold in the United States have neck tags bearing tracking number TJX-80327TDS1.

Sold at: T.J. Maxx sold the pink and white design and Marshalls sold the black and white design in the United States from February 2011 through May 2011 for about $13. Winners stores sold both designs in Canada, from March 2011 through April 2011 for about $17.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the dresses away from children and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers in the United States should call (800) 926-6299 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the websites www.tjmaxx.com or www.marshallsonline.com. Consumers in Canada should call toll-free (800) 646-9466 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the website www.winners.ca

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/index-eng.php

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11249.html

Target Expands Recall of Child Booster Seats

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Target Expands Recall of Child Booster Seats Following Additional Reports of Falls

The booster seat's restraint buckle can open unexpectedly, allowing a child to fall from the chair and be injured.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Circo Child Booster Seats

Units: About 375,000 (43,000 additional booster seats were recalled in August 2009)

Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The booster seat’s restraint buckle can open unexpectedly, allowing a child to fall from the chair and be injured.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received 10 additional reports of booster seat buckles opening unexpectedly, including three reports of bumps and/or bruises when a child fell forward out of the booster seat, hitting an object or the floor.

Description: The expanded recall involves all Circo Booster Seats, including those sold as early as 2005. The plastic booster seats are blue with green trim and a white plastic restraint buckle. They attach to an adult chair to boost a child to a table. “Circo” and “Booster Seat” can be found on a green label located in the front of the booster seat.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from January 2005 through June 2009 for about $13.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled booster seats and return them to any Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.target.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11248.html

General Electric, Sharp Recalls GE Air Conditioning and Heating Units

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General Electric, Sharp Recalls GE Air Conditioning and Heating Units Due to Fire Hazard

An electrical component in the heating system can fail, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: GE Zoneline Air Conditioners and Heaters

Units: About 90,600

Distributor: GE Appliances and Lighting, of Louisville, Ky.

Manufacturer: Sharp Corp., of Osaka, Japan

Hazard: An electrical component in the heating system can fail, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: General Electric and Sharp have received four reports of incidents involving smoke and/or fire with the air conditioning and heating units. In two of the reported incidents, fire extended beyond the air conditioning and heating unit, resulting in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves GE Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps manufactured between January 2010 and March 2011, and are most often used in apartment buildings and commercial space. The GE logo is affixed to the control panel door. Serial and model are printed on the rating plate. Consumers will need to remove the front panel to locate the model and serial information. The following models and serials are included in this recall:
Brand: GE
Model Number (Begins with): AZ41, AZ61
Serial Number (Begins with): AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT AV, DV, FV

Sold by: General Electric authorized representatives and HVAC distributors nationwide from March 2010 through March 2011 for between $1,000 and $1,200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the air conditioning and heating units in the heat mode and contact General Electric to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact General Electric toll-free at (866) 918-8771 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.geappliances.com/products/recall

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11247.html

Calphalon Recalls to Repair Contemporary Cutlery Knife Block Sets

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Calphalon Recalls to Repair Contemporary Cutlery Knife Block Sets Due to Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery Knife Sets

Units: About 217,000 in the United States; 300 in Canada

Manufacturer: Calphalon Corporation, of Atlanta, Ga.

Hazard: The tips of the 8- inch slicing knife and/or the 8-inch bread knife can protrude through the bottom slot row on the wooden block holder, posing a laceration hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Calphalon has received one report of a cut finger injury.

Description: This recall involves all 17- and 21-piece Contemporary Cutlery Knife Sets with model numbers KNS17C and KNS21C. The knife sets were manufactured from August of 2007 through May 1, 2011. The recalled cutlery sets do not have model or date code markings on the wooden block although all sets have the “Calphalon” logo stamped in black on the front. Knife block sets with a three digit number imprinted on the underside are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Macy’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, Belk, Bloomingdales, Crate and Barrel, Dillard’s, Kitchen Collection, Cutlery and More, Carlson Marketing, Maritz, Hinda, Calphalon Retail Outlets and stores nationwide; online by Amazon, Cooking.com; and in Chef’s Catalog from from 2007 through May 2011 for between $200 and $300.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Calphalon to receive a free repair kit for the recalled products. To order a free repair kit, contact Calphalon anytime at (800) 766-5652.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Calphalon at (800) 809-7267 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.calphalon.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1351

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11246.html

Harbinger Fitness Recalls Ab Strap

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Harbinger Fitness Recalls Ab Straps Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Ab Straps exercise equipment

Units: About 4,169

Importer: Harbinger Fitness, of Fairfield, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic buckle on the ab straps can break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: There were two reported incidents of straps breaking. Both incidents resulted in lacerations to consumers’ heads and necks.

Description: The recalled product is a set of Harbinger Ab Straps, style 371100 that are hung from an overhead structure. The product consists of two 17.5 inch long straps made of black nylon webbing with padded nylon arm slings and plastic buckles. Users place their arms in the slings to lift themselves to do abdominal exercises. The word “Harbinger” appears on the outer side of one ab strap. Universal Product Code (UPC) 000751510964 is on the bottom flap of the packaging of the affected ab straps. The style number does not appear on the product or the product’s packaging.

Sold: Online at Bodybuilding.com and Amazon.com, and at Second Wind Fitness, Play It Again Sports, Advantis Nutrition, and other general sporting goods and fitness specialty stores nationwide from August 2006 to April 2011 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Harbinger for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Harbinger customer service at (800) 729-5954 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to noon PT on Friday, visit the firm’s website at www.harbingerfitness.com (pdf) or e-mail the firm at custserv@harbingerfitness.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11245.html

Excite USA Recalls Toy Helicopters Due to Laceration Hazard

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Excite USA Recalls Toy Helicopters Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Rite Aid Stores

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Military Copters

Units: About 24,000

Manufacturer: Excite USA, of Carrollton, Texas

Hazard: The plastic blades of the helicopter can detach during operation, posing a laceration hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Three incidents were reported, two to Excite and one to CPSC. Two of these included laceration injuries.

Description: The recalled toy Military Copters are operated by manual rotary starters and sold as a unit with two sizes, 7 and 11 inches in length, of tan and black helicopters. The product comes in a blister pack with “Military Copter with 2 Launchers” marked on the package and “Military Copter” marked on both sides of the manual starter. The model number, #9009935 and UPC 680108044474 number are printed on the back of the package near the bar code.

Sold at: Exclusively at Rite Aid Corporation stores nationwide from January 2011 through May 2011 for about $7.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled helicopters away from children and return the product to any Rite Aid store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Excite USA toll free at (866) 791-4754 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.Excite-Limited.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11243.html

Quality Bicycle Products Recalls Civia Bicycle Racks

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Quality Bicycle Products Recalls Civia Bicycle Racks Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Carrier rack for mounting over front bicycle wheel

Units: About 100

Importer: Quality Bicycle Products of Bloomington, Minn.

Hazard: The bicycle rack’s mounting bracket can crack or break. When this happens, the rack can fall onto the bicycle’s front wheel, posing a fall hazard to the rider.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a rack mounting bracket breaking while the rider was on the bicycle, resulting in minor cuts.

Description: This recall involves Civia Loring bicycle racks. They have black aluminum tubing with bamboo panels and mount to the bicycle’s front fork. The word “Civia” is printed on the rack’s side panels.

Sold at: Independent bicycle stores nationwide from December 2009 through February 2011 for about $175.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should remove this rack from their bicycles immediately and contact the store where purchased for a full refund or replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Quality Bicycle Products toll-free at (877) 311-7686 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at http://civiacycles.com/aftermarketloringfrontrackrecall/

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11241.html

Venmar Ventilation Recalls Air Exchangers

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Venmar Ventilation Recalls Air Exchangers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Air Exchangers

Units: About 1,400 in the United States

Manufacturer: Venmar Ventilation Inc., of Quebec, Canada

Hazard: The motor in the air exchangers can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received nine reports of overheating incidents resulting in fires and property damage outside of the United States. No incidents have been reported in the United States.

Description: This recall involves air exchangers sold under different brands that are used to circulate air in and out of the home. The metal air exchangers are painted blue or grey. Air exchangers included in the recall were manufactured from 1996 through 2001 and have brand and model information printed on the unit’s rating plate or on the side of the unit. The following brand names and model numbers are included in the recall:
Brand | Model
Venmar | EA 20XXX, 41005, Air Exchanger
Venmar AVS | 4100X
vanEE | 1601510
Flair | 41XXX
Hush | 1601510
Guardian by Broan | AE60

Sold by: Heating, plumbing and building supply distributors nationwide from January 1996 through December 2001 for between $350 and $850.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using their air exchangers. Consumers should contact Venmar Ventilation to request a free inspection and repair by a Venmar field technician.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Venmar Ventilation toll-free at (866) 441-4645 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.venmar.ca

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11240.html

EKSuccess Brands Recalls American Girl Crafts Jewelry Kit

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EKSuccess Brands Recalls American Girl Crafts Jewelry Kit Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: American Girl Crafts(tm) Pearly Beads & Ribbon Bracelets kit

Units: About 75,000

Distributor: EKSuccess Brands, a division of Wilton Brands Inc., of Woodbridge, Ill.

Hazard: The surface coating on some of the beads contains excessive levels of lead, which is prohibited under federal law.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Pearly Beads & Ribbon Bracelets kit distributed under the American Girl Crafts name with a SKU number of 30-585331. The SKU number is located on the back of the package in the lower right corner. The kit contains 56 pieces. The beads in the jewelry kit are pink, blue, orange and white. Some pink beads have darker pink butterflies imprinted on them. The ribbons in the kit are orange, red, blue and purple.

Sold at: Michaels Stores and other retailers nationwide from September 2009 through June 2011 for about $8.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled kits and any finished bracelets made from the kits away from children and contact the company for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact EKSuccess Brands toll-free at (855) 535-2099 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT on Fridays or visit the firm’s website at www.eksuccessbrands.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11239.html