Recalls in January 1970

July 2, 2003 -- About 75,000 "Egg Dippers" Easter Plush Toys are being recalled by the manufacturer, Small Small World. The toys' seams can separate and allow small beads to be released, presenting an aspiration hazard to young children.

There have been two reports of children ingesting beads coming out of these plush toys. No injuries have been reported.

The recall includes four animal plush toys. The white rabbit has a purple egg which reads "Happy Easter," the green rabbit has a yellow egg which reads "Happy Easter," the purple bear has a purple egg which reads "Happy Easter," and the yellow duck carries a green egg which reads "You're Egg-stra Special." Each toy has a permanent label affixed which reads "The Boyd's Collection, Ltd."

Department and specialty stores nationwide sold these toys from February 2003 through April 2003 for about $8.

Consumers should call the firm for information on getting a free replacement toy. Call The Boyds Collection at (800) 377-3050 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

December 12, 2003

Fifteen different styles of "Zutopia girls loungewear are being recalled. The loungewear failed to meet federal flammability standards for childrens sleepwear posing a risk of serious burn injuries to children.

The standard requires sleepwear, including loungewear, to be flame resistant and if the garment ignites, the flame must self-extinguish.

Description: The 15 different styles of loungewear involved in this recall are available in girls sizes small through extra-large (equivalent to girls sizes 7-14). The following items are involved in the recall and are labeled Zutopia:

Zutopia stores nationwide sold the items from January 2003 through October 2003 for between $18 and $26.50.

Parents should stop their children from wearing this loungewear and return the item(s) to any Zutopia store for a full refund or exchange and receive $10 in Zu Dollarz for a future purchase.

Consumer Contact: The Wet Seal at (866) 475-2255 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers also can write to the company at 26972 Burbank, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610, attention: Zutopia Recall, or e-mail at recall@wetseal.com.

July 17, 2003

The DesignPac Company is recalled about 4,000 boxed oil lamp ssets. The bottles of paraffin oil in these sets do not have the child-resistant closures required by federal law.

The boxed sets contain a clear vase with pink or purple floral designs, and a 16-ounce bottle of paraffin oil. The packaging is labeled "Handpainted Oil Lamp Set" and "Floral Garden." Item number 054 11 0229 is printed on the packaging.

The lamps were sold at Target stores nationwide from February 2003 through March 2003 for about $10.

Return the oil lamp sets to any Target store for a refund. For more information, consumers should contact Target toll-free at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at www.target.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

December 12, 2003

Wal-Mart is recalling several candle gift sets -- the "Home Trends Ice Holiday Collection," "Snow House," "Snowman Candle" and "Snowflake Candle."

Paint on the exterior surface of the candles could potentially sustain flame posing a potential fire hazard.

Each Home Trends Ice Holiday Collection Candle gift set contains three candles with one of these scenes painted on the exterior: Snow House Winter; Snowman; or Snowflake design.

Wal-Mart stores nationwide sold these candle gift sets from September 2003 through November 2003 for about $10.

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return the candle gift set to Wal-Mart for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278 between 7 am and 9 pm CT Monday through Friday.

July 17, 2003

Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex is recalling 2.7 million slow cookers. The handles on the base of the slow cookers can break, posing a risk of burns from hot food spilling onto consumers.

The company has received approximately 4,700 reports of handles breaking, including two reports of consumers who required medical attention for burns.

The recalled slow cookers were sold under the Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex brand names, which are printed on the front of the base of the unit. The slow cookers are either round or oval, and were sold in solid white and various print designs. They have a capacity of 3.5 to 6.5 quarts. The slow cookers have series codes A through D which are printed on the bottom along with the model number.

The units were sold at discount department stores nationwide from January 1999 through December 2002 for between $15 and $45.

Consumers will be shipped a replacement slow cooker base. Contact Hamilton Beach toll-free at (800) 429-6363 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.proctor-silex.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

April 23, 2003

Panasonic is recalling aabout 64,000 cordless power tool battery packs. The battery packs can detach from the power tool unexpectedly and strike the operator or a bystander. Two such incidents have been reported.

Only battery packs manufactured between May 1, 2001 and Nov. 20, 2002, with model numbers EY9230, EY9136, EY9231, EY9200, EY9106 and EY9201 stamped on the top of the battery pack are included in this recall. The battery pack is black and yellow.

The units were sold at home improvement, hardware and mail order outlets nationwide. Battery packs were sold in the Panasonic Cordless Power Tool kit and separately as an accessory pack and replacement battery for the power tools. The battery packs cost between $150 and $400 (with kits) and between $50 and $100 (individually).

Consumers should contacct Panasonic Consumer Electronics, (800) 833-9626 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at Panasonic.com/cordlesstools.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

July 31, 2003

Earlyears Bobbie Bear Stacking Rings manufactured by International Playthings are being recalled.

Plastic knobs on the rings can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. The firm has received three reports of small parts detaching from the rings, though no injuries have been reported.

The recalled Bobbie Bear Stacking Rings have a blue and orange rounded bottom, two multicolored stacking rings, and an orange plastic bear head topper. The toy can be spun like a top and makes a rattling sound when shaken. The toy is designed for children ages 6-24 months and has a model number of E00421, which can be found on the packaging.

Specialty toy stores nationwide sold these toys from April 2002 through March 2003 for about $10.

Consumers should contact the company for instructions on how to return the toy to receive a free replacement item of similar value. Call International Playthings at (800) 445-8347 anytime or log on to the company's Website at www.intplay.com/recall.htm.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

July 31, 2003

Ideal Solenoid Voltage Testers manufactured by Ideal Industries Inc. are being recalled. They can short out at high voltages. Consumers can suffer burns.

Ideal has received 11 reports of these testers shorting out at higher voltages, resulting in the faceplate blowing off the units. Two users were burned when their units reportedly shorted out. One reportedly sustained third-degree burns on his hands, forearms, neck and face, while the other suffered second- and third-degree burns to his hands.

These are Ideal voltage and voltage/continuity testers with model numbers 61-065, 61-066, 61-067, 61-076, 61-079, and 61-080. "IDEAL" and the model number are located on the front of the tester. The tester body is yellow. The wire leads have one black and one red test probe. Recalled units were manufactured between November 1999 and May 2002. Contact Ideal to determine if your electrical tester is included in this recall.

The units were sold at electrical distributors, industrial distributors and home centers nationwide between December 1999 and July 2003 for between $30 and $65.

Contact Ideal to receive a free replacement tester.

Consumer Contact: Ideal toll-free at (877) 557-8598 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers also can access Ideal's Web site at www.idealindustries.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

January 25, 2003
About 1,200 "Aire Trek" ceiling fans made by Vaxcel International Co. Ltd., are being recalled. Some of the fans were improperly assembled with a metal sleeve that could cause exposed wiring. If this occurs, consumers are at an increased risk of receiving an electrical shock during installation or removal.

A second recall covers other brand names.

These dual-motor, 36-inch ceiling fan were sold in chrome, stone white, brush nickel, polished brass, antique brass, or weathered patina finishes. Model number 355-6645 is printed on a label located on the central housing of the ceiling fan. The brand name of the fan, "Aire Tek" is written on the packaging only.

The fans were sold at independent retail lighting stores nationwide between January 2002 and May 2002 for between $350 and $450.

Consumers should contact Vaxcel to determine if their unit is defective. A free, replacement ceiling fan will be provided to consumers with defective units. To avoid the risk of shock while removing a recalled fan, consumers are encouraged to use a professional electrician. Vaxcel will reimburse consumers up to $75 for charges incurred in removing recalled fans.

Call Vaxcel at (800) 482-9235 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

May 22, 2003

International Playthings is recalling 126,000 toy vehicles sold at toy shops nationwide for about $1. Small parts on the vehicles can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The company has received one report of small parts detaching. No injuries have been reported.

The Viking Mini Chubbies are toy wagons, tractors, helicopters, cars, airplanes, and jeeps. The toys measure about 3-inches long and were sold in red, blue and yellow. Model numbers are printed on the bottom of the toy. Models included in the recall are AW01119, AW41111, AW61005 and AW81119.

Consumers should contact the company for information on receiving a refund. Call International Playthings toll-free at (800) 445-8347 anytime.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Jan. 9, 2003

Pace Products Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 145,000 children's soap making kits. The soap may get too hot when heated in the microwave oven and leak from the tray mold posing a burn hazard to children.

CPSC has received three reports of burn injuries from the heated soap, including a 6-year-old girl who received burns to her hand. The soap kits were sold under the name 'Soap Making for Kids." The kits include a plastic mold tray, three bars of glycerine, string and an instruction book. "SCHOLASTIC INC." and "Made in U.S.A." are printed on the back of the soap kit box.

Scholastic Book Clubs and Book Fairs sold the recalled soap kits at schools nationwide from March 2000 through November 2002 and bookstores sold the recalled soap kits from March 1998 through November 2002 for about $8.

Consumers should take these soap kits away from children immediately and contact Pace Products at (800) 541-7670 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive instructions on returning the soap kits for a refund. Consumers also can visit the firm's web site at www.paceplace.com

August 21, 2003

About 1,500 Falcon Action Toy Jets are being recalled by the manufacturer, C.D.X. Trading. Small parts of the toy jet can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The recalled toys are battery-operated, multi-colored toy jet airplanes measuring about 9 inches in length and width. A clear plastic cover over the cockpit exposes a pilot with his hand on the controls. A label on the jet's wings reads "FALON" (Falcon misspelled). The toy jet plays music and some of the lights flash off and on as the jet propels itself by two small front wheels. "C.D.X. Toys CDL-22338D" and "Made in China" are embossed on a label on the battery compartment lid.

Variety and gift stores, flea markets and street-sale vendors sold the toy jets in the New York and New Jersey region from November 2002 through December 2002 for between $5 and $7.

Consumers should return the toy jets to the place of purchase for a full refund or purchasers from street-sale or flea markets can mail the toy to: C.D.X. Trading Inc. at 1576-78 Gates Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385-2728 to receive a refund including postage.

For more information, contact C.D.X. Trading Inc. at (718) 821-1600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

October 24, 2003

Pier 1 Imports is voluntarily recalling about 65,800 glass candleholders. The base of the Footed Glass Floater Bowl candleholder can unexpectedly fall off and cause the glass bowl or base to break, and the broken glass can cause cuts.

Pier 1 has received nine reports of the glass base separating from the bowl, resulting in seven cuts to consumers.

The recalled Footed Glass Floater Bowl candleholder is intended for use with floating candles. It is about 5 1/4 inch in height, with a 9 inch diameter bowl and a 2 1/2 inch diameter base. The candleholders were made in China. The price sticker on the bottom of the candleholder reads "SKU 1920833."

Pier 1 Imports sold the candleholders through its retail stores and on-line nationwide from March 2002 through the beginning of October 2003 for about $12.

Consumers should stop using the candleholder immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a refund or a merchandise credit. For more information, call Pier 1 Imports at (800) 245-4595 (Prompt #5) between 8:30 am and 11:00 pm CT Monday through Friday, between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm CT Saturday, and between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm CT Sunday. Consumers can also visit the firm's Web site at www.pier1.com

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

June 5, 2003

Trivett Industries is recalling about 590 Pancake Express Pancake Makers sold at Acme, Wal-Green's, Hy-Vee and Osco Drug stores nationwide from May 2002 through July 2002 for about $20.

The handles on the pancake makers are unable to withstand the heat of the device, causing the handle to fail to provide support because of melting or breaking. Trivett Industries is aware of one incident of a consumer receiving minor burns when the handle melted and separated from the pancake maker.

These "Pancake Express" pancake makers are two-sided stove top skillets constructed of aluminum with black plastic handles. The product is labeled "Pancake Express" and "Made in China."

Consumers should return the pancake maker to Trivett to receive a full refund, including the cost of postage. For more information, call Trivett at (800) 433-4842 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

December 23, 2003

Family Dollar is recalling about 60,000 Durex Procraft outdoor extension cords because of a flaw that could cause electric shock or electrocution.

These are 25-foot Durex Procraft outdoor extension cords. These green cords are sold in blue and black packaging. An Underwriters Laboratories label is attached to the cord showing code E-174825. The item UPC number is 0 74972 01025 1, and is located on the back of the package in the lower right-hand corner.

The cords were sold at Family Dollar Stores nationwide from June 2003 through November 2003 for $3.

Consumers should return the recalled cords to any Family Dollar Store for a refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Royal United Corp. toll-free at (800) 682-0097 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The housing of the extension cord reels could become energized, resulting in electrical shock or electrocution.

The cord reels were sold at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse stores nationwide from July 1999 through September 1999 for about $35.

The round extension cord reels are made of metal, are red, and contain a black 30-foot retractable extension cord. They have "ACDelco" printed in black letters on the case. A label on the back of the cord reel has catalog number "28003." Next to that label is another clear label with a date code of "Y MY" or "Y JE," meaning it was manufactured in May or June 1999. 

On the bottom of the extension cord reel, where the mounting ring is attached, there is a silver-colored stud with no markings on the flat head of the stud. If the flat head of the stud has a red, blue, or green colored marking, the cord reel has already been inspected and is not part of this recall. If the extension cord reel's box has a green dot or a "100% good" stamp near the UPC code, it is not part of the recall. 

Consumers should unplug the cord reels immediately and stop using them. Woods Industries is offering consumers either a refund or a free replacement extension cord reel. To get a refund, consumers should return their reels to any Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse. To get instructions on obtaining a free replacement reel or for more information about this recall, consumers should call Woods Industries at (800) 224-1118 anytime

April 2, 2003

Dollar Tree Stores Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 407,000 plush bears and 221,000 snowman dolls. Buttons on the jacket of these toys can be pulled off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The 10-inch plush bear is white and dressed in a hat and jacket in one of the following colors: red, blue, hunter green, pink, purple, light green, light blue and white. The 10-inch snowman doll is dressed in a hat and jacket that are blue and pink. The snowman dolls also have white scarves and a red ball nose. Both the bears and the snowman dolls have a label on their backs that reads, "DIST BY: DOLLAR TREE" and " MADE IN CHINA." The bears and snowman dolls were sold with ear tags that read either, "Christmas House Plush Bear" or "Christmas House Christmas Plush."

Dollar Tree, Only One Dollar, Only $1, Dollar Express, and Dollar Bills stores nationwide sold these toys from June 2002 through March 2003 for about $1.

Parents and caregivers should take these toys away from young children immediately, and return the toys to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call Dollar Tree at (800) 876-8077 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.dollartree.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC and Dollar Tree have received no reports of injuries or incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

It's easy to shrug off product recalls as frivolous or over-protective. Around Washington, big brave lobbyists like to refer to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as the "Federal Nanny."

But there's nothing funny about accidents, especially when innocent children (you know any other kind?) are involved. This story was sent to us by Dennis, a radio reporter in Ontario, who hopes it will motivate us to make sure our cedar chests and other storage lockers have child-safe locks.

BARRIE, Ontario, May 6, 2000 -- Three young children were pulled lifeless from a trunk in a Barrie home after apparently suffocating while playing hide-and-seek. Barrie Police Const. Dave McClymont confirmed there were three victims -- a girl and two boys -- two from one family and one from another, although he couldn't confirm their ages.

Their distraught parents and other grief-stricken relatives were hugging and crying at the police station where they were being interviewed and consoled early today by police and grief counselors.

A woman at a nearby convenience store said an 8-year-old boy ran into her store and said he had found the children in a trunk. He ran there to call for help about 8:30 p.m. Neighbours said the home was believed to be occupied by awoman named Annette Patrick and four children -- a 6-year-old son named Ryan, the others of high school age or older. The other two victims were described as Ryan's friends -- a five-year-old boy named Paul and three-year-old girl named Campbell -- who lived next door with their parents and three siblings aged 10 to 19.

Neighbours said Patrick had been out with her boyfriend and had left her young son in the care of a babysitter. She returned home just as emergency crews were on scene. One resident said young neighbourhood children were always playing at the home, located in a quiet, residential area with a mix of older World War II homes and newly built residences in the heart of Barrie, an hour north of Toronto.

Last night a crowd of well-wishers converged on the home located across from Emmanuel Baptist Church to console a very distraught man and woman outside. The deaths "certainly (have) had a traumatic effect on the staff here," hospital spokesman Paul Swain said, refusing further comment.

Neighbour Art Taylor, 49, saw firefighters -- the first on the scene -- bring the children's limp bodies out of the house. "I just saw bodies in their arms, small bodies. They put them in an ambulance and drove off with the lights on but no siren," Taylor said.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2002 -- Dansk International Designs Ltd., of White Plains, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 190,000 ice cream scoops. A cap at the end of the handle of the scoop can fly off with substantial force, especially if the scoop is immersed in hot water. The metal cap poses a risk of impact injury to nearby consumers.

Dansk has received 10 reports of the caps on these scoops flying off, sometimes traveling several feet. No injuries have been reported.

All the recalled Dansk ice cream scoops are made of aluminum and have a 4.5-inch handle. They were sold in four styles: the plain 3.5- inch spade, the plain 2.5- inch scoop, the Penguin-shaped 2.5-inch scoop and the Snowman-shaped 2.5-inch scoop. Each of the scoops is silver colored. The plain scoop and plain spade have the word "DANSK" written on the handle. Ice cream scoops sold by Dansk with a black cap at the end of the handle are not part of this recall.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Dansk Factory Outlet Stores and Lenox Warehouse Clearance Centers nationwide sold these ice cream scoops between January 1988 and November 2001 for about $9.

Consumers should stop using these ice cream scoops immediately, and return them to any Dansk or Lenox Factory Outlet store for a $20 coupon. For more information, consumers should call Dansk toll-free at (866) 855-9303 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's web site at www.dansk.com.