Recalls in January 1970

September 5, 2003
General Motors is recalling about 783,000 of its 2000 and 2001 model Chevrolet Malibu, Oldsmobile Alero and Pontiac Grand Am cars to replace the hazard light switches, although parts needed for the recall won't be available til next year.

The company said that exposure to temperature changes could cause the switches to malfunction, which in turn could cause the hazard warning and turn signal lights to fail. No accidents or injuries resulting from the problem have been reported.

The recall includes 671,000 vehicles in the United States, 88,000 in Canada and the remainder elsewhere.

GM said dealers will have the necessary parts by the first quarter of next year.

• 2008 Tesla Roadster

For more information, consumers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or at www.safercar.gov.

This listing may not include every recall. See www.safercar.gov for additional recalls.

WASHINGTON, June 3, 1999 -- About 3,200 white plastic baby stairway gates are being recalled because the locking mechanism can pop open when the gate is shaken.

The gates were manufactured by North States Industries of Minneapolis and sold through Ames, Ann & Hope, Value City, Hambleton & Carr stores from March through April 1999 for about $15.

The gates are white plastic, measuring 26 inches high and can be used in openings from 26 inches to 41 inches wide. A sticker on the side reads: "INTENDED FOR USE WITH CHILDREN FROM 6 UP TO 24 MONTHS OF AGE...MMFG. ID NO. 8675...NORTH STATES."

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission.  So far there has been one report of the gate's lock failing but no reports of injuries.

Consumers should stop using these gates immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For additional information, consumers should call North States Industries Inc. at (800) 848-8421 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday.

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2002 -- Crate & Barrel is voluntarily recalling about 5,000 media carts. The media cart has metal and plastic casters that can break, causing a television or other objects on the cart to fall and injure consumers nearby.

Crate & Barrel has received seven reports of casters breaking, all of which involved property damage. No injuries have been reported. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The recalled media carts have the model name "Elements Media Carts." They have an ash wood veneer with a dark brown stain and measure 31.75" x 19" x 23.5". The media carts contain a VCR shelf and a second compartment shelf for CD's. These media carts were manufactured in Denmark.

Crate & Barrel retail stores, catalogues and website sold the carts nationwide from January 2001 through March 2002 for about $180.

Consumers should stop using the recalled media carts immediately and call Crate & Barrel toll-free (877) 477-0653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or contact the store from which the cart was purchased, to receive new casters, free of charge.

Media carts that have the word "KAMA" printed on the rubber of the wheel are not included in this recall.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 1999 -- Century Products Co., of Macedonia, Ohio, is offering a $30 cash reward for the repair of each Lil' Napper infant swing. 

The swings were recalled in 1997 following reports of three deaths and one near-strangulation from entanglement in the swings' shoulder harness straps.  Since then, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Century have since become aware of a fourth death -- an 8-month-old girl in Texas.

The swings, which were manufactured by Century from 1991 through 1997, have shoulder harness straps that are placed over each shoulder and buckled between the infant's legs. If the straps on these swings loosen or are unbuckled, an infant can become tangled in the straps and strangle.

Despite a nationwide effort over the past two years, Century believes that many of the 125,000 swings originally sold could still be in use. 

Consumers can get a free repair kit for the swing, which consists of a new seat pad and restraint system with crotch straps. To encourage consumers to repair their swings, Century is offering a $30 cash reward to each consumer who fixes the swing. 

In addition to offering the $30 reward, Century is taking further steps to get the word out, including direct mail notification to thrift stores and notices in new infant and convertible car seats.

The recalled Lil' Napper infant swings can be identified by the following model numbers, located on the bottom of the swing's seat: 12-344, 12-345, 12-347, 12-475 or 12-476. The Century brand name is on the motor assembly at the top of the swing. Each swing has a plastic, two-position seat with a removable plastic tray. The sets are covered by either a vinyl or fabric seat pad. There are four white tubular metal legs supporting the swing.

Parents and caregivers should immediately stop using these infant swings. To receive the repair kit and the $30 reward, call Century at (800) 231-1448 anytime or access their web site at www.centuryproducts.com.

Consumers can also view a video news release about this recall. It is about 13 megabytes long and the download time depends upon the speed of your Internet connection.

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2000 -- The Gymboree Corp. is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 plush shape sorter toys. The stuffing of the toys can contain sewing needles and sharp metal pieces. Young children could ingest or be cut by these sharp metal pieces.

There has been one report of a part of a sewing needle being found in the stuffing of the plush shape sorter toy. After searching through its inventory, the firm found five additional plush shape sorter toys with sharp metal pieces. No injuries have been reported.

The toy is a multi-colored, plush fabric sorter box with six shapes that rattle, crackle or squeak, and have a multi-pattern design including, green with blue polk-a-dots, red and orange checks, and blue and green stripes. A label on the toy reads, "GYMBOREE" and "Made In China." Gymboree and Play & Music Stores, and the Gymboree web site sold the toys nationwide from November 1998 through April 2000 for about $20.

Consumers should stop using the toys immediately, and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, contact Gymboree at (800) 222-7758 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Sunbeam Glow-in-the-Dark Humidifiers Recalled

These humidifiers were sold under the brand names Sunbeam, Hankscraft and SunMark. The Sunbeam brand has service numbers 644 through 646 written on the back of the humidifier's motor housing. 

The Hankscraft brand has service numbers 1260 through 1262 and the SunMark brand has service number 1260. Hankscraft and SunMark service numbers are written on the inside of the plastic housing of the motor. All the recalled humidifiers have date codes stamped on the plugs beginning with I001 through J226. 

The humidifiers are white with green, blue or rust colored covers. Sunbeam, Hankscraft or SunMark is written on the plastic cover. The Sunbeam humidifiers were sold with 1-gallon, 1.5-gallon and 2-gallon tank capacity. The Hankscraft humidifiers were sold with 1.2-gallon, 1.7-gallon and 2.5-gallon tank capacity. The SunMark humidifiers were sold with 1.2-gallon tank capacity.

Discount department and drug stores sold these humidifiers nationwide from March 1995 through December 1997 for $8 to $15.

Consumers should immediately stop using these humidifiers, and call Sunbeam for instructions on returning the products for a free replacement. 

Only the humidifiers with the service numbers and date codes listed are part of this recall. Also, if your humidifier has a sticker on the motor's plastic housing showing a manufactured date of 1999 or later, it is not part of the recall.

For more information or to get instructions on returning the humidifiers, call Sunbeam at (800) 440-4668 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET on Saturday. Consumers also can access the company's web site at www.sunbeam.com.

"Bathtub Baby" Doll Sets Recalled

These doll sets come with a small ball, which poses a serious choking hazard to children under 3 years old.

CPSC and Toys "R" Us are not aware of any injuries involving these doll sets. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The Bathtub Baby doll set includes a blue, plastic bathtub; a 5.5 inch soft vinyl doll wearing a blue diaper; a pink, fish-shaped strainer; and a pink ball about 1.25 inches in diameter.

The set is packaged in a clear plastic bag with a hangtag. Writing on the hangtag includes, "BATHTUB BABY," WHAT A DOLL!" "FISHEL" and "MADE IN CHINA."

Toys "R" Us stores nationwide sold these doll set from October 1998 through July 1999 for about $2.

Consumers are urged to take the doll sets away from young children immediately and return them to the stores where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers should call their local Toys "R" Us store, or visit the Toys "R" Us web site at www.toysrus.com/recalls/index.cfm.

This recall was the result of an inspection conducted by the CPSC staff.

Girls' "Esleep Junior" Robes Recalled

The federal standards require sleepwear, including robes, to be flame resistant, and if the garment ignites, the flame must self-extinguish. Failure to meet the flammability standards presents a risk of serious burn injuries to children.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it was not aware of any injuries involving the robes. The recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

"Esleep Juniors," and "Made in Bangladesh" are written on labels on the collar of these robes. The robes have chest patches showing either a pair of bear cubs or a sleeping puppy. They are made of polyester, either blue or green, and were sold in sizes four through 14.

The robes are long-sleeve robes with patch pockets. They have one of the following GPU numbers located on a collar tag: 9816, 9817, 9818, 9885, 9886, 9890 and 9891.

JC Penney stores nationwide sold these robes from July 1998 through April 1999 for about $25.

Consumers should stop using these recalled robes immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For additional
information, consumers should contact Bentley Lingerie at (888) 330-3803 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

CPSC, Gerber Announce Recall of LIL’ SPORT Spill Proof Sport Bottles

The bottles can be identified easily by their flip-top lids. The LIL’ SPORT Spill Proof Sport Bottle is a 12-ounce plastic bottle with a curved body shape similar to that of an adult sport bottle. A separate screw-top cap sits on the body and features a spill proof spout covered by a flip-top lid. The Gerber name is featured on top of the lid. The bottle body comes in solid colors as well as one Baby Looney Tunes^TM design.

Mass merchandise and grocery stores sold these bottles nationwide from February 1999 to July 1999 for about $4 (individually) to $8 (twin-pack).

Parents and caregivers should stop children from using these bottles immediately, and return the bottles to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should call Gerber at (800) 4-GERBER anytime or visit their website at www.gerber.com.

Other Gerber spill proof cups are not part of this recall.

CPSC, Thomson Electronics Announce Recall of GE Brand Spacemaker Radio Cassette Players

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 3 - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 424,000 GE Spacemaker radio cassette players. The unit has an appliance outlet that can overheat, presenting a fire hazard to consumers.

Thomson Consumer Electronics has received three reports of appliance outlets on the units overheating and catching fire, causing minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Only units with model number 7-4285 are involved in this recall. The model number is located on the top of the unit and may or may not be followed by a letter. The unit is designed for under-the-cabinet use and consists of an AM/FM stereo cassette player, a light and a programmable appliance outlet, which allows for a timer to control the power to the outlet. The appliance outlet is located on the left side of the unit. "GE Spacemaker...AM/FM Stereo Cassette Player...Programmable Appliance Outlet" is on the front of the unit. The control panel is black and is located on the front of the unit between the two speakers.

Department, electronic and discount stores nationwide sold the units from January 1992 through December 1995 for about $50 to $80.

Consumers should unplug the units immediately and call Thomson at (800) 464-7022 anytime for instructions on receiving a free replacement unit. Consumers also can contact Thomson at www.home-electronics.net/recall or at Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc., Spacemaker Recall, INH 950, P.O. Box 6127, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206-6127.

No other Spacemaker models are involved in this recall.



The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information or report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.

"Little Me" Infant Garments Recalled

The recall was announced jointly by Little Me, of Cumberland, Md., and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

These 100 percent cotton garments have a white top and cherry print bottom, with white embroidered collar, and were sold with a floppy hat with cherry print material. The outfits have ornamental cherries attached to a string at the waist. They were sold in sizes 3M, 6M, 9M, 12M, 18M and 24M. The collar labels read, "Little Me," "MADE IN PHILIPPINES" and "RN 20864."

Major department and children clothing stores sold these garments from March 1999 through July 1999 for about $20 to $22.

Consumers should immediately stop using these garments, and should return them to Little Me for a refund and a voucher for a 30 percent rebate on a future Little Me purchase. For more information, call Little Me at (800) 843-8460, anytime, or visit the Little Me web site at www.littleme.com/productrecall/index.html.

CPSC, Mealane Corp. Announce Recall of Star Fire Sprinklers

As the result of a CPSC investigation,  Mealane Corp. of Philadelphia, is voluntarily recalling up to one million "Star" brand fire sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 1976. The sprinklers have been installed nationwide, primarily in nursing homes. They also may be found in hospitals, schools, resorts, stores, office buildings, warehouses and supermarkets.

CPSC reports that 67 percent of the sprinklers that were removed from locations across the country and submitted for testing to independent testing laboratories failed to activate properly.

CPSC has received one report of a Star sprinkler allegedly not functioning in a bedroom fire in a nursing home.

The Star sprinklers being recalled are dry-type models D-1, RD-1, RE-1, E-1 and ME-1 made from 1961 through 1976. The name "Star" appears on the sprinkler, along with the model number and date of manufacture. With "dry-type" sprinklers, portions of the pipe do not have water in them until the sprinkler activates.

The former Star Sprinkler Co., of Philadelphia, Pa., sold its assets and changed its name in June 1976 and became known as Mealane Corp.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits hospitals and other long-term-care facilities, is supporting the recall with CPSC.

Consumers and property owners should determine whether their facilities contain these recalled sprinklers and if so, call the Star Sprinkler Recall Hotline at (800) 866-7807 or access the website at www.star-recall.com to participate in the recall.

Mealane will provide free replacement sprinkler heads and reimbursement for the labor costs of removing and replacing the old units.

CPSC is continuing its ongoing investigation of fire sprinklers.

Extension Cords & Hair Dryers Recalled

All statins, at high doses, carry similar risks, agency says

March 19, 2010
If you take 80 mg tablets of the cholesterol-lowering medication Zocor, you may be at higher risk for muscle injury. The Food and Drug Administration is warning patients and health care providers about the possible side effect of the popular drug.

Actually, the potential side effect, called myopathy, is a known side effect with all statins. The specific warning from the FDA is for developing muscle injury, including rhabdomyolysis, for patients when they are prescribed and use higher doses of this drug.

Rhabdomyolysis is the most serious form of myopathy and can lead to severe kidney damage, kidney failure, and sometimes death.

"Review of simvastatin is part of an ongoing FDA effort to evaluate the risk of statin-associated muscle injury and to provide that information to the public as it becomes available," said Eric Colman, M.D., Deputy Director of FDA's Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products (DMEP). "It's important for patients and healthcare professionals to consider all the potential risks and known benefits of any drug before deciding on any one therapy or dose of therapy."

Simvastatin is sold as a single-ingredient generic medication and as the brand-name Zocor. It also is sold in combination with ezetimibe as Vytorin, and in combination with niacin as Simcor.

FDA's review of new information on the risk of muscle injury is derived from clinical trials, observational studies, adverse event reports, and prescription use data.

The agency also is reviewing data from the SEARCH (Study of the Effectiveness of Additional Reductions in Cholesterol and Homocysteine) trial, which evaluated major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, revascularization and cardiovascular death, in patients taking 80 mg compared to 20 mg of simvastatin. SEARCH also included data on muscle injury in patients taking simvastatin.

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2001 -- SunTome is voluntarily recalling about 600 baby walkers because the walkers will fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers could be seriously injured or killed if they fall down stairs.

The baby walker is model number ST-108ST, which is written on the box. "Q BABY" is written on a label on the front of the walker and "MADE IN TAIWAN" is written on a tag on the back of the seat. They are light and dark blue, pink, green, purple and white.

They have one of three types of activity trays: "Finger Power Training" features a phone and steering wheel; "Music & Light" features a side-view mirror and plane toy; and "Train Engine" plays four animal sounds and four songs. The walkers are packaged in a box labeled in part, "BABY HAND'S," and "COMFORTABLE PAD MADE OF TC CLOTH, WITH FRONT AND BACK GUARD." Independent discount stores located in California, Arizona and Texas sold these baby walkers from January 1998 through July 2001 for between $18 and $22.

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

Consumers should stop using these baby walkers immediately and call the firm for instructions on returning the walkers for a refund and shipping costs. For more information, consumers should call SunTome Trading Corp. at (888) SUNTOME (786-8663) between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. This recall came to CPSC's attention as a result of routine import dock surveillance activities in cooperation with the U.S. Customs Service.

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2002 -- Adams Manufacturing Corp. is voluntarily recalling about 2,740 plastic folding chairs. Some of the legs on these chairs were mis-assembled by the installer and a piece of the chair could be bent out of shape. This can allow the chair to collapse during use causing consumers to suffer injuries from falls.

Adams Manufacturing has received two reports of folding chairs collapsing. No injuries have been reported. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The folding chairs have the brand names Adams Quik Fold Chair (as individual chairs) and Quik Fold Caf Set (as a set, including a table and two chairs). The recalled individual chairs include item numbers 8575-48-3750, 8575-16-3750 and 8575-38-3750. The recalled chair sets include item numbers 8590-48-3600, 8590-16-3600 and 8590-38-3600. The chairs are made of white, green or sandstone molded plastic. A label on the backrest of the chair reads "Adams Quick Fold Chair."

Discount department, hardware and home stores nationwide sold the folding chairs from February 2002 through March 2002 for about $20 for the individual chair and about $100 for the set.

Consumers should stop using the folding chairs immediately and return them to the place where purchased to receive a replacement chair or a refund. For additional information, contact Adams Manufacturing at (800) 237-8287 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers also can visit the firm's web site at www.adamsmfg.com

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2002 -- Answer Products Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 850 mountain bicycles. The spring and adjuster can separate from the suspension fork and strike the rider, causing injuries.

Answer Products has received 18 reports of these adjusters separating from the fork and being projected at riders, causing four consumers to suffer cuts, bruises and one chipped tooth. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The recalled 2002 model forks were installed on Specialized Rockhopper A-1 Comp and Mongoose Hot Link Sommet series bicycles. "MANITOU" is printed on the side of the fork and the model name - "Six Elite" and "Six Super" - is printed on the arch of the fork and on the side of the fork leg. The bicycles were manufactured in Asia.

Bicycle stores nationwide and mail-order catalogs sold these bicycles from January 2002 through August 2002 for between $800 and $900.

Consumers should immediately stop riding these bicycles and call Answer Products Inc. at (800) 423-0273 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or log on to the company's website at www.answerproducts.com/safetynotice.htm to determine if your bicycle is among the recalled models. Consumers should take their bicycle to the dealer where it was purchased or to any authorized Answer Products dealer for a free repair.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2002 -- Unilever Home and Personal Care USA is voluntarily recalling about 4 million plush Snuggle bears. The eyes and noses of these bears can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA has received 32 reports of the eyes and noses coming off of these bears. In three of these reports, children placed detached eyes from these bears in their mouths. No injuries were reported.

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

The plush, cream-colored bears come in three sizes: a 5-inch bean bear, an 8-inch bean bear and a 10-inch stuffed bear. The 5-inch bears come in four styles: Pajama Bear wears blue, one-piece pajamas with a yellow moon and star design; Nightcap Bear wears a blue nightcap with a yellow moon and star design; Purple Blanket Bear holds a purple blanket; Pink Blanket Bear holds a pink blanket. The 8-inch bean bear is made of terry or plush fabric. The 10-inch plain stuffed bear is in a sitting position and has tan paws and ears. All the bears have tags that read "Snuggle" and "Made in China."

Grocery and discount department stores nationwide sold the Snuggle fabric softener that included the 5-inch and 8-inch bears between May 1999 and July 2001. The Pajama and Nightcap 5-inch bears also were given away to consumers who sent in two proofs of purchase for Snuggle fabric softener between November 2001 and December 2001. The 10-inch bears were distributed from May 1997 through May 1998 to consumers who sent in a proof of purchase for Snuggle fabric softener and up to $4.

Consumers should take these bears away from young children immediately and contact Unilever Home and Personal Care USA for information on how to receive a coupon for free Snuggle fabric softener. Contact Snuggle at (800) 896-9479 anytime, or visit its web site at www.Snuggletime.com.

No other Snuggle Bears are involved in this recall.

Unilever Home and Personal Care USA recalled the Nightcap Bears in May 2001 because the yellow pom-pom on the nightcap can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Consumers were asked to remove the pom-pom to eliminate the choking hazard.