Recalls in January 1970

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.

October 29, 2003

About 3,100 fish-shaped cigarette lighters are being recalled by their distributor, The Sarut Group d/b/a as City Limit.

The lighters lack the required child resistant mechanisms and can expose children to fire hazards.

These novelty cigarette lighters have a metallic colored plastic body and are shaped to resemble a fish and come in a variety of 18 different colors. Colored designs are painted on the body of the fish. The lighters contain a black lighter insert which can be pulled out of the body of the fish. The inserts have a white colored fish skeleton painted on the side.

The lighters were sold through internet sales and distribution to retail firms from 2002 to 2003.

Return the lighters to the retail firm or Sarut Group for a full refund and a discount coupon on your next purchase.

Consumer Contact: Beverly Olivier Customer Service Representative at the Sarut Group at (800) 345-6404 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. E.T. Monday through Friday.

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

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 1999 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jingle Bell Enterprises Inc., of Philadelphia, Pa., is recalling approximately 100,000 sets of miniature Christmas lights and icicle-style lights.

The lights have undersized wires that can easily pull out of the plugs and individual light sockets, posing fire and shock hazards.

CPSC and Jingle Bell Enterprises have not received any reports of injuries or incidents involving these light sets. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The recall involves sets of 100 clear lights in both traditional and icicle styles. The icicle lights have white wires and sockets, and no labeling on the light set. They are packaged in red boxes labeled in part, "100 Icicle Lights," "Manufactured to Previous Approved Specification" and "JINGLE BELL." Printed on the back of the package is, in part, "Made in China for Jingle Bell Enterprise Inc. Philadelphia Pa."

The traditional string light sets have either white or green wiring and sockets, and no labeling on the light sets. They are packaged in red boxes labeled, in part, "100 Christmas Lights," "STRING-A-LIGHT," and "Manufactured to Previous Approved Specifications." "Made in China for Jingle Bell Enterprise Inc., Philadelphia Pa" is printed on the back of the packaging.

Also on the back of the packaging is one of the following item numbers: 00450 through 00455, 00491, 11491 and 11451.

Hardware and garden stores sold the light sets mainly in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York from November 1999 through December 1999 for between $5 and $8.

Consumers should immediately stop using these lights, and return them to the store where purchased for either a refund or a replacement set of lights.

For more information, call Jingle Bell Enterprises at (800) 334-9627 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Jingle Bell brand light sets that have a Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) label are not part of this recall

October 25, 2003

Britax Child Safety, Inc., will conduct a safety recall of Super Elite youth restraints (Model E9031) manufactured from April 25, 2001, through Feb. 15, 2002, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced.

Crash tests conducted by NHTSA have demonstrated that forces on certain Super Elite restraints during a crash could cause the child's head to move forward further than allowed by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." Head movement like this in a real crash could result in injury to a child.

Britax will mail a free repair kit along with easy-to-follow installation instructions to owners who have returned their registration cards. Owners who have not registered their product should contact Britax's toll-free number, 1-888-4BRITAX (1-888-427-4829) or visit Britax's web site (www.BritaxUSA.com) to receive the free kit or to obtain more information. (Editor's note: When we checked the Britax site on Oct. 26, we could not find any such information).

NHTSA encourages parents to obtain and install the repair kit as soon as possible, so that the child seat provides adequate protection. If they have no substitute child safety seat, parents should continue to use the seat while waiting to receive and install the repair kit because this unrepaired Britax seat will provide better protection than an adult seat belt or no restraint. Also, owners are encouraged to mail in the registration card if they have not already done so.

March 20, 2003

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is voluntarily recalling about 40,000 Woody dolls sold at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Disney's Vero Beach Resort, Magic of Disney and Flight Fantastic shops located at the Orlando International Airport and Disney's Worldport shop located at Pointe Orlando. The Woody doll's clothing has buttons that can detach, posing a choking hazard for young children.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has received one report of a child removing a button from the Woody doll. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled doll is a cowboy named Woody, a character in the animated films Toy Story and Toy Story II. The Woody doll is a soft- bodied doll with soft plastic head, hands, boots and hat; wearing blue jeans a red/yellow-checked shirt, a black/white-spotted vest with a sheriff's badge; a red-patterned bandana and is 13 inches tall. A label sewn into the left side seam of the doll reads, "WALT DISNEY WORLD" on one side and "DISNEY, ALL NEW MATERIALS, POLYESTER FIBERS," several State license numbers, and "WALT DISNEY ATTRACTIONS, LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL, PRODUCT OF CHINA" on the other side. Only the Woody dolls described above are included in the recall.

These recalled soft dolls were sold from January 2000 through January 2003 for about $12.

Consumers should immediately take the doll away from children and contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts at (866) 228-3664 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a full refund. For more information, please visit our web site www.waltdisneyworld.com. This recall does not involve items sold at the DISNEYLAND Resort, through the Disney Store, the Disney Catalog, DisneyStore.com or at other retail outlets. Additionally, the talking versions of the Woody doll are not part of this recall.

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

Jan. 28, 2003

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing the recall of about 30,000 beanbag chairs manufactured in 1999 by Baseline Design. Some of these beanbag chairs have zippers that can be opened, allowing access to the polystyrene beads inside the chairs. This poses a suffocation hazard to young children who can unzip the chair and inhale the small beads.

Baseline Design is aware of three incidents in which the chairs were unzipped freely. Two of the incidents involved young children who were able to open the beanbag chair zippers and handle the small polystyrene beads, including one child who received medical attention after inhaling the beads.

The recalled beanbag chairs are designed with 12-inch double zippers and have various designs, including a smiley face, a football shape, a baseball shape, a basketball shape and solid green, yellow, pink and blue neon colors. The beanbags have a tag that states, in part, "Made by Baseline Design."

Wal-Mart stores located in the Northeast U.S. sold the beanbag chairs from September 1999 through December 1999 for about $30.

Consumers should check if they can unzip their Baseline Design beanbag chairs. If the zippers can be unzipped freely, Baseline Design will provide owners with a free replacement beanbag chair with zippers that do not open. Consumers should be sure young children cannot use the chairs if the zipper can be opened freely and should be sure children are not exposed to the beads inside the chair. For more information and instructions, consumers should call Baseline Design at (800) 497-3626, Ext. 3046, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at www.foamex.com.

Baseline Design is cooperating with the CPSC and providing replacement beanbag chairs to consumers if the zippers can be opened freely. The firm previously notified owners of the recalled products through newspaper advertisements in the Northeastern U.S. where the beanbags were sold.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Puzzibilities Recycling Truck Puzzle

Units: About 3,000

Distributor: Small World Toys, of Culver City, Calif.

Hazard: One of the puzzle pieces (a stack of newspapers) poses a small parts choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents have been reported. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

Description: The recalled Recycling Truck Puzzle has nine wooden pieces that form a green recycling truck, three workers, a container for plastics, a bundled set of newspapers, and a recycling bin. The top of the puzzle reads, "Recycling Truck," and "2574" and "2003 Small World Toys" are printed at the bottom.

Sold at: Small toy stores nationwide sold the puzzles between February 2003 and August 2003 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop young children from playing with these puzzles immediately and return the puzzle to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Consumer Contact: Contact Small World at (800) 421-4153 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.smallworldtoys.com.

April 23, 2003

Westpoint Stevens is recalling about 11,000 electgric blankets. When the blanket is folded, the heating element can overheat, causing the heating element and blanket to melt, posing the risk of thermal burns.

WestPoint has received 10 reports of the blankets overheating, including four reports of minor skin burns.

The "Vellux fahrenheit" blankets were sold in various colors and sizes to fit all mattress sizes. The temperature controller is white with the words, "WESTPOINT STEVENS" and "fahrenheit Heated Blanket" printed on the front. The recall includes blankets manufactured from July 2002 through January 2003. The manufacture date is printed on a label sewn into the seam.

The blankets were sold at department stores, mail order catalogs and Web sites from July 2002 through April 2003 for between $80 and $130.

WestPoint Stevens will provide consumers postage-free return packaging to return the product, a full refund and $25 to compensate consumers for the inconvenience. Consumers should call WestPoint Stevens Inc. toll-free at (888) 439- 4794 anytime, or go to the firm's Web site at www.westpointstevens.com.

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

September 24, 2003

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says its investigation has found that there is a low but potential risk of strangulation from yo-yo water ball toys.

The stretchy cord of the toy can wrap around a childs neck when the child swings the toy overhead like a lasso. Parents who are concerned about this risk could, in addition to closely supervising the use of this toy, cut the cord off the toy (leaving a squishy toy ball for children to play with) or throw the toy away.

The Commission has received 186 reports of incidents in which the yo-yo ball toys cord wrapped around a childs neck. In all cases, a parent or child successfully removed the cord from the childs neck. Although there were no lasting injuries, seven cases reported broken blood vessels affecting eyes, eyelids, cheeks, neck, scalp or the area behind the ears.

CPSC said it "realizes that the reported incidents are uncomfortable and anxiety-provoking" but said it has concluded that the toy poses a low risk of strangulation, especially for younger children.

"Based on the pattern of incidents, the number of products involved, the low likelihood of strangulation, and the technical staffs assessment of the risk of injury presented by the product, the yo-yo water ball toy does not meet Congressionally mandated standards for product recall," the agency said in a statement.

The Commission also investigated reports of potential toxicity from the liquid inside the toy and flammability from a flame test of the yo-yo ball toy. CPSC staff found no toxicity or flammability concerns.

"We believe that parents should exercise caution in allowing children to play with this toy," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. He said the commission will continue to monitor incidents involving the yo-yo waterball toy.

Based on information from industry sources, CPSC believes that over the last year, there have been approximately 11-15 million yo-yo ball toys distributed in the U.S., selling for between $1 and $5. The toys are made of rubber-like material and consist of a liquid-filled ball with a stretchy cord that has a small finger loop at the end. The cord is highly elastic and can be stretched to more than three feet.

CPSC said major retailers like Toys R Us, Walgreens and Saks have unilaterally stopped selling the yo-yo ball toys.

Feb. 27, 2003

The Betesh Group is voluntarily recalling about 11,200 "Busy Bug" plush toys. The antennae of the plush toy can be chewed or pulled off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and The Betesh Group have received two reports of children gagging on the fabric antennae ends that separated from the toy.

The recalled toy is a small plush bug with two springy black antennae with orange round fabric ends. The bug has a blue stuffed round face with a red musical nose that blinks when pressed. The body of the bug is segmented in various colors and patterns. Striped elastic legs are attached to the body along with crinkly, iridescent wings. "Smart Scents," and "Made In China" are printed on a label on the side of the bug. The UPC code 778267862920 is on the packaging.

Discount department stores sold these recalled toys from August 2002 through January 2003 for about $7.

Consumers should take the plush toys away from young children and return to the place of purchase or mail the toy to The Betesh Group at One East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, Att: Consumer Relations, to receive a refund including postage. For additional information, contact Betesh toll free at (866) 473-0118 anytime.

April 15, 2003

The New York Consumer Protection Board has asked stores throughout New York State to pull "water yo-yos" from their shelves. It also asked the federal government to ban their sale, calling the novelty item dangerous for children.

The toy features a rubbery, liquid-filled ball of various shapes and colors on an elastic cord.

"Because they stretch so far, the cord can easily wrap around a child's neck and cause serious injury and even death," said Teresa Santiago, chairwoman of the Consumer Protection Board. Officials are also concerned that the liquid inside could be toxic.

She asked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the toys and ban their sale nationwide. A spokesman said the commission was investigating.

December 18, 2003

Guth Lighting is recalling about 1,850 Enviroguard 22-inch low-mount open lighting fixtures used in industrial and retail settings.

The lamp can fall out of the lamp socket and strike somebody standing or walking beneath the light fixture, posing a laceration risk if the lamp breaks.

Guth has received reports of about 50 lamps falling from the lamp socket. No injuries have been reported.

The light fixtures measure 22 inches in diameter and are labeled GUTH LIGHTING, ENVIROGUARD LOW MOUNT with the catalog number printed on a label on the light fixture. Light fixtures included in the recall are Prismatic Acrylic (ELP), Open Damp (O), 22 inch (2), all reflectors (1-6), all ballast cover types (1-4), 8 lamp 42 watt tube (842T), 120 volt (1) models. The catalog numbers will be shown as ELP-O 2 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6) (1, 2, 3 or 4) 842 T-1.

The units were sold at lighting and electrical supply distributors nationwide from January 1999 through October 2003 for about $350.

Affected owners will be provided with a retention plate to be installed over the lamps to hold them in place. Guth Lighting and their distributors are contacting purchasers directly about this recall program.

For questions or additional information contact Guth Lighting at (314) 533-3200 between 8 a.m and 4:45 p.m CT Monday through Friday.

December 12, 2003 CPSC, Arctic Cat Inc. Announce Recall of Snowmobiles

The following product safety recall was conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Arctic Cat Snowmobiles

Units: 3,700

Manufacturer: Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn.

Hazard: The red plastic skis used on these 2003 model year snowmobiles could be damaged by UV light exposure. If during off-season storage, the snowmobile was stored with the skis exposed to sunlight, damage may have occurred. If UV damage has occurred, the ski may crack or break during use. If this occurs, it could lead to a loss of control that could result in severe injury or death.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled red plastic skis (part number 1703-131) were used on a number of 2003 Arctic Cat Firecat models. All 2003 Arctic Cat Firecat snowmobiles produced with red plastic skis are included in this recall.

Sold At: Arctic Cat dealerships worldwide from June 2002 through December 2003 for between $6,500 and $8,500.

Manufactured in: Madison, S.D.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these snowmobiles immediately. Registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail. If consumers are unsure if their snowmobile is affected, they should call Arctic Cat toll-free at (800) 279-2281 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or go to the firms Web site at www.arcticcat.com/snowmobiles. Consumers should have available the model name and model number of the snowmobile when they call. The model name and model number are displayed on the registration materials you received when you purchased your snowmobile, and on your operators manual. Consumers with a recalled snowmobile should contact their local Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer to schedule the free repair.

July 2, 2003

SOIREE and Soft n' Warm Electric Blankets are being recalled by Perfect Fit Industries. The blankets can overheat, posing a risk of burn injuries to consumers, especially when the blanket is folded or bunched.

Perfect Fit is aware of 44 reports of these blankets overheating, resulting in four reports of minor burn injuries. Damage to the blankets and bedding materials also have been reported.

The recalled electric blankets are the SOIREE (only those sold at Belk stores) and Soft n' Warm (only sold at K-mart), both of which were sold in king, queen, full and twin sizes. At Belk, the electric blankets were sold only in ivory color and at K-mart they were sold in ivory, light blue and hunter green colors. The model name appears on the packaging, but not on the blanket.

Both models have a UL warning label and a permanent label that reads "Perfect Fit" and "Shell Made in China. Wired and Closed in U.S.A." The Soft n' Warm model has a date code ranging from 02228 through 02305 printed on a warning label on the foot of the blanket.

The blankets were sold at K-mart and Belk stores nationwide from September 2002 through February 2003 for between $40 (twin size) and $200 (king size).

The firm is providing a free replacement blanket, but consumers should unplug the recalled units immediately. Call the company at (877) 882-9478 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for a replacement.

Feb. 27, 2003

The First Years Inc. is providing a new instruction sheet for 120,000 "2-In-1 Fold-Away Tub and Step Stools." When used as a tub, babies' body parts can be pinched if the product's footrest is not fully extended so that it clicks into place firmly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and The First Years have received 20 reports of babies being pinched while using these tubs, including one bruising of a baby boy's genitalia and 10 reports of abrasions to toes and feet. This recall to replace the stools' instructions is being conducted to prevent further incidents.

These "2-In-1 Fold-Away Tub and Step Stools," have model number 3141 written on the underside of the base. The product is a folding baby bathtub that can be used as a step stool for an older child. In the step stool position, the top of the turquoise lid has raised lettering stating "the first years" followed near the bottom of the lid with the two statements, "MAXIMUM LOAD/POIDS MAXIMUM: 200lbs/90kg" and "USE ONLY ON A LEVEL SURFACE. N'UTILISER QUE SUR UNE SURFACE PLANE." In the bathtub position, the seat back has a purple pad. The base and footrest are both white. Also, on the underside of the base is a tiny raised clock showing the year of manufacture of the product (i.e., "9?9") surrounded by the numbers of the clock. Only products bearing date codes 1999 and 2000 ("9?9" or "0?0") are included in this program.

Mass merchants nationwide sold these bathtub/stools between January 1999 and February 2002 for about $17.

Consumers should not use the bathtub until they receive revised instructions on the use of the tub to prevent the pinching hazard. Consumers should contact The First Years at (800) 533-6708 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive free revised instructions and a warning label to attach to the product. Consumers can also visit the firm's web site at www.thefirstyears.com