Monthly Archives: August 2011

Table-Top Clip-on Chair Recalled by phil&teds USA

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Table-Top Clip-on Chair Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Fall and Amputation Hazards

Missing or worn clamp pads allow the chairs to detach from a variety of different table surfaces, posing a fall hazard. In addition, when the chair detaches, children's fingers can be caught between the bar and clamping mechanism, posing an amputation hazard. Also, user instructions for the chairs are inadequate, increasing the likelihood of consumer misuse.

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: “metoo” Clip-on Chair

Units: 54,000 (these were the subject of a product safety alert issued May 6, 2011)

Importer: phil&teds USA Inc, of Fort Collins, Co.

Hazard: Missing or worn clamp pads allow the chairs to detach from a variety of different table surfaces, posing a fall hazard. In addition, when the chair detaches, children’s fingers can be caught between the bar and clamping mechanism, posing an amputation hazard. Also, user instructions for the chairs are inadequate, increasing the likelihood of consumer misuse.

Incidents/Injuries: phil&teds and CPSC have received 19 reports of the chairs falling from different table surfaces, including five reports with injuries. Two reports of injuries involved children’s fingers being severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated. The three other reports of injury involved bruising after a chair detached suddenly and a child struck the table or floor.

Description: The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering the clamp. The chair is sold in three fabric colors – red, black and navy. Chairs subject to this recall do not have black plastic spacers between the cross bar and the clamps.

Sold through: Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us and their online sites; philandteds.com; Amazon.com; other online retailers; and a variety of independent juvenile specialty stores from May 2006 to May 2011 for between $40 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company to receive a free repair kit and revised user instructions. Consumers who previously received a repair kit with only rubber boots should also stop using the chair and contact the company for the new repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact phil&teds USA at (855) 652-9019 or visit the company’s website at www.philandteds.com/support

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11306.html

Riding Toy Recalled by Radio Flyer

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Riding Toy Recalled by Radio Flyer Due to Fall Hazard

The riding toy can tip over allowing a child to fall forward while riding, posing a fall hazard to young children.

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: Scoot ‘n Zoom children’s riding toy

Units: About 165,000

Distributor: Radio Flyer, of Chicago, Ill.

Hazard: The riding toy can tip over allowing a child to fall forward while riding, posing a fall hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm received reports of ten incidents with six injuries, including three where teeth were loosened or removed, and three with chin lacerations requiring stitches.

Description: The riding toy is red molded plastic with black wheels and measures 19 inches long, 11 inches wide and 13.5 inches tall. The riding toy’s model number 711 can be found molded on the underside of the toy. Units with a yellow UPC sticker underneath the product with model #711B are not recalled.

Sold at: Walmart and other retailers, and online at Amazon.com and Target.com from August 2010 through August 2011 for about $20.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled products away from children and contact Radio Flyer to receive a free replacement unit or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Radio Flyer at (800) 621-7613 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.radioflyer.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/prhtml11/11305.html

Umarex USA Recalls to Repair Browning 800 Mag Air Pistols

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Umarex USA Recalls to Repair Browning 800 Mag Air Pistols; Pistols Can Fire Unexpectedly

Under a variety of circumstances, the safety will not prevent the gun from firing. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or bystanders.

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: Browning Air Pistols

Units: About 9,500

Importer: Umarex USA Inc., of Fort Smith, Ark.

Hazard: Under a variety of circumstances, the safety will not prevent the gun from firing. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or bystanders.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of the pistol discharging while the safety was engaged. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves all Browning 800 Mag Air pistols, which are black and measure 18 inches by 7 inches. The Browning logo and “800 Mag” are printed on the top of the air pistol’s barrel block.

Sold at: Sporting goods stores and gun shops nationwide from July 2006 through February 2008 for about $180.

Manufactured in: Turkey

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the air pistol, ensure it is unloaded and contact Umarex USA to receive instructions on returning the air pistol for a free repair. Umarex USA will engrave repaired pistols with a “P” on the left side of the receiver, forward of the plastic end cap. Until repaired, consumers should safely store the unloaded pistol in its open or uncocked state.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Umarex USA toll-free at (866) 503-3389 anytime, or visit their website at www.umarexusa.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/prhtml11/11304.html

CPSC Renews Memorandum of Understanding With Brazilian Government to Improve Product Safety

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CPSC Renews Memorandum of Understanding With Brazilian Government to Improve Product Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Brazil to improve product safety.

Chairman Inez Tenenbaum traveled to Brazil June 10 to renew the MOU between CPSC and the National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (Inmetro). The agencies first established an MOU between the United States and Brazil in 2008.

The two agencies have agreed on a plan of work with joint activities designed to foster cooperation to promote consumer product safety in both countries. The signing ceremony took place at Inmetro’s Laboratory Campus in Xerém, Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to enhancing information sharing, CPSC and Inmetro will work collaboratively to align product safety requirements whenever possible. A first step in this initiative is to consider the possibility of aligning crib safety requirements. Inmetro intends to work closely with the CPSC to evaluate samples according to the requirements defined in U.S. and Brazilian regulations.

“Brazil continues to be an important partner as we work to ensure safer products,” stated Chairman Tenenbaum. “We will share expertise and experiences and expand the flow of information and activities. Together, we will look for the highest levels of safety; we will be proactive, rather than reactive; and we will operate with a renewed focus on injury prevention.”

“Further, we will foster cooperative relationships with other regulators, foreign manufacturers and stakeholders, based upon a shared belief that manufacturers should build products to the latest safety standards and regulators should continue to collaborate on the best and safest standards. Together, the CPSC and Inmetro can save lives and reduce injuries,” Tenenbaum said.

According to Inmetro’s President João Jornada: “Closer collaboration between the two countries is very important. The focus of our work is to protect human beings, and humanity is one, anywhere in the world. This step helps consolidate Inmetro’s international outreach. We will count on support from the CPSC, which has state-of-the-art technology to collect, monitor and interpret injury data from a variety of sources. The CPSC is a leader in taking action to educate stakeholders and disseminate technical regulations. They have a success story. Working with the CPSC we will improve our system.”

The text of Chairman Tenenbaum’s speech and the MOU and Joint Statement issued by the two agencies are available online.

To see this press release on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the Chairman’s visit to Inmetro, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11303.html

Philips Lighting Recalls EnergySaver and Marathon Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector Flood Lamps

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Philips Lighting Recalls EnergySaver and Marathon Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector Flood Lamps Due to Laceration Hazard

The glue that attaches the glass outer envelope or globe to the body of the lamp can fail allowing the glass outer envelope to fall and strike persons and objects below, posing a laceration 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: EnergySaver a/k/a/Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps

Units: About 1.86 million

Manufacturer: Philips Lighting Company of Somerset, N.J.

Hazard: The glue that attaches the glass outer envelope or globe to the body of the lamp can fail allowing the glass outer envelope to fall and strike persons and objects below, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Philips has received 700 reports of lamps where the glue failed and the glass outer envelope fell, including two reports of minor injury and three reports of minor property damage.

Description: This recall involves Philips EnergySaver, a/k/a Marathon and Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamps, models R30, R40 and PAR 38 manufactured between March 2007 and May 2010. The following are the model numbers and Universal Product Code (UPC) numbers of the lamps included in this recall:

Product Description | Model Number | UPC
EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R30 Reflector Flood | EL/A R30 Dim 16w | 46677 13 7076 and 46677 15 0419
EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R40 Reflector Flood | EL/A R40 Dim 20w | 46677 13 7083 and 46677 15 0426
EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable Par38 Reflector Flood | EL/A Par38 Dim 20w | 46677 14 6443 and 46677 15 0433

Model numbers are printed on the white ceramic area at the base of the lamps. For boxed products, the UPC number is on the bottom of the box. For products in blister cards, the UPC is at the top right corner of the back of the package.

The affected products also have dates codes from March 2007 through May 2010 as follows:

Date Code on Product | Month and Date of Production
C7 to M7 | March to December 2007
A8 to M8 | January to December 2008
A9 to D9 | January to April 2009
0916 to 0953 | April to December 2009
1001 to 1022 January to May 2010

Date codes are located on the lamps themselves, either stamped into the metal gold base of the lamp or in the white ceramic area with other product information.

Sold at: Grocery and home center stores nationwide, online retailers, and professional electrical distributors from March 2007 through July 2011, for between $11 and $24.

Manufactured in: Mexico and Poland.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lamps and contact Philips to receive instructions on how to receive a free replacement lamp.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Philips toll-free at (866) 622-6372 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company’s website at www.recall.philips.com/en_us.html

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11302.html

Emergency Exit Signs Recalled by Best Lighting Products

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Emergency Exit Signs Recalled by Best Lighting Products Due to Failure to Illuminate

The fixtures can malfunction and fail to illuminate in the event of a power failure. This could result in a failure to provide adequate lighting to guide building occupants to an exit in the event of an emergency.

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: LHQM LED Exit Signs with Emergency Lights

Units: About 450

Manufacturer: Best Lighting Products, of Pataskala, Ohio

Distributor: Lithonia Lighting, a division of Acuity Brands Lighting Inc. of Conyers, Ga.

Hazard: The fixtures can malfunction and fail to illuminate in the event of a power failure. This could result in a failure to provide adequate lighting to guide building occupants to an exit in the event of an emergency.

Incidents/Injuries: There were ten reports of signs malfunctioning during testing after installation. No injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled exit signs have emergency lights fixed at either end with “EXIT” in red or green in the center. The fixtures are installed in commercial buildings, such as hotels and office buildings. Affected model numbers can be found on a label affixed inside the fixture housing and on the outside of the packaging, and include: LHQM LED G M6, LHQM LED R M6 and LHQM LED R HO M6. Affected models have the following date codes on the inside fixture housing: 1003S10, 1004S10 or 1005S10. Dates on the packaging carton include any calendar dates in March, April or May 2010.

Sold to: Authorized distributors nationwide from January 2011 through May 2011 for $100 to $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should contact Lithonia Lighting for a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lithonia Lighting toll-free at (800) 334-8694 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.lithonialighting.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11300.html

Perfect Fitness to Pay $425,000 Civil Penalty for Failing to Report Fall Injury Hazard with Exercise Equipment

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Perfect Fitness to Pay $425,000 Civil Penalty for Failing to Report Fall Injury Hazard with Exercise Equipment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Perfect Fitness, of Sausalito, Calif., has agreed to pay a $425,000 civil penalty. The settlement agreement (pdf) has been provisionally accepted by the Commission (5-0).

The penalty agreement resolves staff allegations that Perfect Fitness knowingly failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, about a defect with Perfect Pullup exercise equipment. The defect causes the handles of the product to break during use, resulting in a fall hazard to consumers.

CPSC staff alleges that Perfect Fitness concluded in June 2008 that its exercise equipment was defective following re-testing of the handle design. The testing was done after the firm received a complaint and, according to the firm’s internal review, an unusual number of product returns. Perfect Fitness redesigned the product to correct the defect in July 2008.

CPSC staff alleges that Perfect Fitness was aware of at least 23 injuries associated with its product in March 2010, and posted a notice on its website to let consumers know they could get free replacement handles. Staff alleges the firm told consumers that the original handles were “inferior” and could result in an “accident.”

The firm did not report the defect to CPSC until December 2010. By that time, CPSC staff alleges the firm was aware of at least 45 complaints of injury associated with the handles breaking and had received more than 2,000 requests for replacements.

In February 2011, the firm and CPSC announced a recall of about 7,000 Perfect Pullups. The exercise equipment sold for between $80 and $100 at sporting goods stores nationwide, on the firm’s website and on Amazon.com, and through direct television marketing from January 2008 through February 2011.

Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates any consumer product safety rule, or any other rule, regulation, standard, or ban enforced by the CPSC.

In agreeing to settle the matter, Perfect Fitness denies CPSC staff’s allegations that it knowingly violated the law.

To see this press release on CPSC’s web site, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11301.html

Target Recalls Step Stools with Storage

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Target Recalls Step Stools with Storage 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: Step Stools with Storage

Units: About 206,000

The wooden step stools can break apart or collapse under the weight of the user, posing a fall hazard.

 

Importer: Target Corporation, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The wooden step stools can break apart or collapse under the weight of the user, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received 26 reports of the stools breaking or collapsing. Fourteen incidents involved children, seven involved adults, and five incidents where the user’s age was unknown. Two adults fractured their wrists, and of those victims, one also fractured her hip and pelvis. Additionally, six children and one adult suffered scrapes and bruising.

Description: The wooden step stool has two steps and comes in various colors, including natural, natural and red, white and honey. The Circo step stool has a lid on the bottom step that lifts to provide storage. The Do Your Room (DYR) step stool has a lid on the top step that lifts to provide storage. The step stools measure approximately 13″ H x 13 5/8″ W x 14 1/8″ D. The Circo brand name or DYR brand name and UPC numbers are printed on a label found underneath the step stool. The following step stools are included in this recall:

Step Stools With Storage
Brand Name Style Description UPC Number Selling Period
Circo White step stool w/storage 490970403046 or
180970208597		 June 2009-Feb 2010
Feb. 2010-Oct 2010
Circo Natural step stool w/storage 490970403053 or
180970208610		 June 2009-Feb 2010
Feb. 2010-Oct 2010
Circo Natural & red step stool w/storage 490970403060 or
180970208665		 June 2009-Feb 2010
Feb. 2010-Oct 2010
Do Your Room (DYR) Natural step stool w/storage 097168014338 Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009
Do Your Room (DYR) Honey step stool w/storage 390970402622 Jan. 2007-Aug. 2009

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from January 2007 through October 2010 for between $25 and $30.

Manufactured in: China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Thailand

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the step stools and return them to any Target store to receive 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

CVS Agrees to $45,000 Civil Penalty for Failing to Report Drawstrings in Children’s Jackets

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CVS Agrees to $45,000 Civil Penalty for Failing to Report Drawstrings in Children’s Jackets
Drawstrings pose strangulation and entanglement hazards to children

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that CVS Pharmacy, Inc., of Woonsocket, R.I., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $45,000. The settlement agreement has been provisionally accepted by the Commission unanimously (5-0).

The penalty resolves CPSC staff’s allegations that CVS knowingly failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that it had sold children’s hooded jackets with drawstrings at the neck from August 2008 to January 2009. Children’s upper outerwear with drawstrings, including sweatshirts, sweaters, and jackets, poses strangulation and entanglement hazards to children that can result in serious injury or death. In March 2009, CPSC and the importer of the jackets announced a recall of the products, which were sold under the brand names Golden Grove and Young USA.

In 1996, CPSC issued drawstring guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling on or getting entangled in the neck and waist drawstrings of upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts. In 2006, CPSC’s Office of Compliance announced that children’s upper outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or neck would be regarded as defective and presenting a substantial risk of injury to young children.

Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or fails to comply with any consumer product safety rule or any other rule, regulation, standard, or ban enforced by CPSC.

In agreeing to the settlement, CVS denies CPSC staff’s allegations that it knowingly violated the law.

Note: On June 29, 2011, the Commission approved a final rule that designates children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T through 12 with neck or hood drawstrings, and children’s upper outerwear in sizes 2T through 16 with certain waist or bottom drawstrings, as substantial product hazards.

To see this release on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product and link to the penalty settlement, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11297.html

Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Lapel Pins

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Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Lapel Pins Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Surface paints on the lapel pin contain excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law.

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: Love.Hugs.Peace lapel pins

Units: About 26,500 pins in the United States and 2,200 in Canada

Importer: Build-A-Bear Workshop(r), of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: Surface paints on the lapel pin contain excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported.

Description: The 1.5 inch lapel pin features graphics of a heart, bear head, and peace sign all positioned in front of a globe. The words “Love.Hugs.Peace.” appear at the bottom of the pin.

Sold by: Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide and online at www.buildabear.com from July 2009 through October 2010 for $3.50 in the US and $4 (CDN) in Canada.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Stop using the lapel pins and return the lapel pin to any Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive a $5 store coupon. If it is not possible to return the pin to a store, you can contact the company for alternate instructions on receiving a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Build-A-Bear Workshop toll-free at (866) 236-5683 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Saturday, or visit the company’s website at www.buildabear.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=1385

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/prhtml11/11298.html