Recalls in January 1970

August 4, 2009
Because of steadily mounting injuries, Black & Decker is reissuing its earlier recall of about 200,000 GH1000 Grasshog XP String Trimmer/Edgers.

The trimmer/edgers spool, spool cap and pieces of trimmer string can come loose during use and become airborne projectiles, posing a serious laceration hazard to the user, as well as bystanders. The trimmer/edgers can also overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

At the time of the original announcement in July 2007, Black & Decker had received more than 700 reports of incidents, including 58 reports of injuries. The firm has received over 100 additional injury reports -- ten that required medical attention and minor injuries such as bruises and lacerations. There were also reports of minor property damage, including broken windows.

The Black & Decker GH1000 Grasshog XP String Trimmers/Edgers are electric-powered. Trimmer/edgers with date codes 200546 through 200645 (representing manufacture dates of November 14, 2005 through November 6, 2006) are included in this recall. The date code is located on the underside of the trimmer/edgers handle. Only trimmers with black spool caps are included in the recall. Those with orange spool caps are not included in the recall.

The trimmers were sold at major home center and hardware stores nationwide from November 2005 through January 2007 for about $70. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the string trimmers/edgers immediately and contact Black & Decker for a free repair kit.

For additional information, contact Black & Decker toll-free at (888) 742-9158 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firms Web site at www.blackanddecker.com.

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

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2002 -- Dollar Tree Stores Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 310,000 stuffed polyester pool animals. The seams can separate exposing the polyester stuffing and foam beads. The foam beads pose a choking hazard to young children.

CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores have received one report of the seam ripping, exposing the polyester stuffing and a plastic bag containing foam beads. No injuries have been reported.

There are eight types of stuffed polyester pool animals involved in this recall: crab, duck, frog, octopus, seahorse, shark, turtle and whale. The brightly colored stuffed animals have a sewn-in label that reads in part, "DOLLAR TREE DISTRIBUTION, INC.," "MADE IN CHINA" and "RN# 87254."

Dollar Tree, Only One Dollar, Only $1, Dollar Express and Dollar Bills sold the stuffed animals nationwide from April 2002 through August 2002 for $1.

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

Consumers should take these stuffed animals away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, consumers can call Dollar Tree Stores at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

April 2, 2009
Evenflo is expanding its recall of Majestic high chairs because of fall and choking hazards. The latest recall is for about 90,000 chairs. Another 95,000 were recalled in December 2008.

Plastic caps and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can loosen and fall out, allowing the seatback to suddenly fall back or detach from the high chair. Children can fall backwards or fall out of the high chair and suffer bumps and bruises to the head, broken bones, abrasions, cuts and bruises. Detached hardware also poses a choking hazard to children.

For the models added by this expanded recall, Evenflo has received 16 reports of seatbacks reclining, falling back and/or detaching unexpectedly, resulting in five reports of bumps and bruises to the head and five reports of other injuries including bruises and abrasions. For the models added by this expanded recall, Evenflo has received 145 reports of plastic caps and screws falling out of the high chairs, including one incident in which a cap and/or screws were found in a childs hand or mouth but were removed before choking occurred.

The expanded recall involves Evenflo Majestic high chairs, model numbers: 3001395, 3001395A, 3001604, 3001700, 3001713, 3001713A, 3001730A, 3001732, 3001733, 3001742, 3001742A, 3001756, 3001821A, 3001840A, 3001845, 30011848, 3001852, 3001932, 3002719 and 3003845 manufactured between January 23, 2007 and December 31, 2008. The model number and date of manufacture are located on a white label/sticker on the seatback. Evenflo is printed on the label and on the front of the tray. Models showing a year of manufacture of 2009 in red ink are not included in the recall.

The chairs, made in China, were sold at juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including ToysRUs, BabiesRUs, Walmart.com, and Burlington Coat Factory from January 2007 through March 2009 for between $80 and $110.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Evenflo to receive a free repair kit.

For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firms Web site at www.evenflo.com.

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

July 17, 2009
Childrens hooded jackets with drawstrings sold at Meijers Stores are being recalled. The jackets have a drawstring around the waist which can pose an entrapment hazard to children.

The recalled childrens jackets were sold in sizes 7/8 through 16 and have RN number 115036 and style numbers WD36687 or WD36689, which is located on the care label of all garments. The jackets come in turquoise and brown plaid, pink, and orange and brown plaid.

The jackets, made in China, were sold at Meijers Stores nationwide in July 2008 for about $15.

Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garment to either the place of purchase or to EMH Associates Inc. for a full refund.

For additional information contact EMH Associates collect at (212) 575-4311 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firms Web site at www.meijer.com.

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

July 14, 2009
Rossignol is recalling about 4,000 pairs of cross-country ski boots sold in the U.S. and Canada. The boot's sole could separate from the upper boot during use, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

This recall involves Rossignol cross-country boots with model X-IUM World Cup Skate, X-IUM World Cup Classic, X-IUM World Cup Pursuit, X-11 Skate, and X-IUM J Skate. The model name is printed on the upper part of the boot. Boots included in this recall have a 5 or 6 digit lot number stamped on the right boot under the removable insole.

The ski boots, made in Romania, were sold by specialty outdoor retailers nationwide for between $140 and $400 (U.S.) and for between $200 and $500 (Canada) from December 2007 through June 2009.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled boots and contact Rossignol to determine if their boots are included in this recall and if so, receive a free replacement or a refund.

For additional questions, contact Rossignol at (888) 243-6735 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT, visit the firm's web site at www.rossignol.com.

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

A metal chain link on the weed trimmer head can rapidly and unexpectedly fly off a Weed Wizard, striking the user or a bystander and penetrating skin and bone. A three-year-old girl was killed in Alabama in 1997 by a chain link from a Weed Wizard trimmer.

"Companies that ignore our reporting requirements will be penalized," said Hal Stratton, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) chairman. "There should be no doubt about a company's need to report to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission when a product has the potential to kill or severely injure consumers and children."

Under the Consumer Product Safety Act, manufacturers, distributors and retailers must immediately report to CPSC products that have a defect that could create a substantial risk of injury to the public or that present an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.

Between May 1987 and April 2000, 2.7 million Weed Wizard trimmer heads with metal chains and about 857,000 trimmer replacement chain sets were manufactured and sold. They were manufactured as replacements for string trimmer heads on most gas powered weed trimmers.

CPSC alleges that beginning in February 1998, U.S. Home and Garden Inc. (USHG), Weed Wizard Acquisition Corp. (WWAC), and A.A.B.B. Inc. had enough information to reasonably support the conclusion that the Weed Wizard products were defective and could injure or kill consumers, though the companies never contacted CPSC with incident or product-related information.

USHG and WWAC purchased Weed Wizard Inc., also known as A.A.B.B. Inc., in February 1998. CPSC alleges that USHG, WWAC and A.A.B.B. Inc. knew of one death and at least 19 incidents involving consumers struck by metal chain links. The August 1997 death of a 3-year-old Alabama girl, who was killed when a chain link flew off of a Weed Wizard trimmer and lodged in her brain, was among these incidents.

Weed Wizard Acquisition Corp. and CPSC announced a recall on May 3, 2000 of the Weed Wizard trimmer heads with metal chains and trimmer replacement chain sets. Consumers who still have this product should stop using it immediately and contact the firm to obtain free plastic replacement blades and installation instructions. For a free replacement kit, call Weed Wizard toll-free at (888) 810-7536 anytime.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Producer Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores Inc. have not received any reports of incidents.

The recalled paperweights were sold in four varieties:

All four varieties of paperweights have a label on the base that reads, "817718*** OFSC3*** DOLLAR TREE DIST. *** MADE IN CHINA ***K's Collection."

Dollar Tree, Only One Dollar, Only $1, Dollar Express, and Dollar Bills retail stores nationwide sold the paperweights from August 2000 through September 2000 for about $1.

Consumers should stop using the paperweights immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, call Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

July 10, 2009
C-Mrk Inc. is recalling childrens hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings. The drawstring through the hood can pose a strangulation hazard to children and has been prohibited by federal guidelines since 1996.

The boys hooded sweatshirts have the brand name Ocean Current and RN#67225 number in the neck label. The garments were sold in the color smoke and in sizes S-XL.

The sweatshirts, made in China, were sold at Macys department stores in Southern California from December 2008 through April 2009 for about $35.

Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garment to either the place of purchase or to C-Mrk for a full refund.

For additional information contact C-Mrk Inc. collect at (323) 826-6900 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT Tuesday through Thursday or visit the firms Web site at www.oceancurrent.com.

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

July 30, 2009
Sherwin-Williams is recalling about 76,000 Purdy paint scrapers. The recalled scraper's body can break away from the handle when struck against a hard object. This poses a laceration hazard to users.

The firm has received four reports of the scraper's body separating from the handle. There have been no reported injuries.

The recalled scraper is a 2-inch wide steel tool with a four-sided edge. The handle has a soft black grip with 'Purdy' printed in red letters on the side of the handle.

The scrapers were sold at Sherwin-Williams Paint stores, Duron Paint stores, MA Bruder Paint stores, United Paint Stores, Norfolk Paint Stores, Mercury Paint Stores, Old Quaker Paint Stores, Flex Bon Paint Stores and Columbia Paint Stores nationwide from February 2009 through June 2009 for about $9. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the recalled scraper immediately and return it to any Sherwin-Williams store or the place of purchase for a free replacement.

For additional information, contact Sherwin-Williams at (888) 304-3796 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.sherwin-williams.com.

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

July 7, 2009

Carbon dioxide (CO2) pressure sensors inside these products can crack and leak or burst causing the release of CO2. This could cause cracks with sharp edges that could cut a consumer's hand, or direct CO2 discharge could cause a frostbite-like burn to a consumer's hand.

The Dragonfly II Model 503 is a cylindrical unit made of metal and plastic with a black, silver and dark graphite finish. The units are about 36 inches tall and 8 inches in diameter. The Dragonfly logo, model number, electrical information, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) mark for Canada and the United States (C US), BioSensory street and internet address are engraved on the main housing, on the side opposite the control panel.

The NightWatch Model 506 is a white molded plastic unit 14 inches long and 6 inches high with a black and white striped thermal lure over the top and sides. Two detachable pitfalls are on either side of the unit. The pitfalls have a felt ramp leading to the elongated collection pit. The NightWatch model number, electrical information, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) mark for Canada and the United States (C US), BioSensory street and internet address are engraved on the underside of the unit beneath the control panel.

Dragonfly II was sold exclusively by Frontgate Catalog in May 2009 for about $375. NightWatch was sold to licensed professional pest control operators by Forshaw Distribution (Charlotte, N.C.) and Residex, LLC (Cranford, N.J.) in May 2009 for approximately $600. Both were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and contact Frontgate to receive a replacement unit.

Professional pest control operators who purchased NightWatch from Residex or Forshaw Distribution should take the units out of service immediately and return them to the distributor center for replacement.

For additional information on Dragonfly II contact the Frontgate Product Specialist Department toll free at 1-800-537-8484 Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET.

For additional information on NightWatch contact BioSensory at (800) 261-2659 Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, or visit the firm's Web site at www.biosensory.com.

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

April 6, 2009
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation (BATO) is recalling certain Bridgestone Exedra G850 G motorcycle tires, size 180/70R16 77H, sold as original equipment for MY 2008 and 2009 Triumph Rocket III Touring motorcycles.

The motorcycle to which these tires are applied develops very high torque and can cause torque-induced degradation in a body ply which may result in innerliner cracking that may lead to a slow leak in the rear tire. This condition does not affect the front tire.

The affected tires may begin to vibrate at moderate speeds. Continued use of a tire with this condition could lead to a vehicle crash. BATO is working with Triumph to notify owners and the defective tires will be replaced free of charge. In addition, the front tire will be replaced free of charge due to the matching requirements of the motorcycle.

The safety recall is expected to begin during April 2009. Owners may contact BATO toll-free at 1-800-465-1904.

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.

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2000 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, of Madison, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 475,000 teething rings. When bent, these teething rings can fit into an infant's mouth and trigger a gagging reflex. This poses a risk of vomiting, which could result in choking and aspiration.

Whitehall-Robins Healthcare has received two reports from consumers of children gagging on the teething rings, including one report of a child starting to choke.

These teethers were sold with .25 oz. tubes of Baby Anbesol Grape Gel, an oral anesthetic. The teethers are yellow and shaped like rabbits. They are about 3 inches long and 2.25 inches high. Two holes are molded into the teething ring for infants to grasp. The packaging reads, "THE BABY'S TEETHING KIT," and "FAST TEETHING PAIN RELIEF."

Mass merchandise, drug and grocery stores nationwide sold Baby Anbesol with these teethers from May 1999 through June 2000 for about $6.

Consumers should take these teething rings away from infants immediately. Contact Whitehall-Robins Healthcare for information on returning the teething ring in order to receive a free Anbesol product. Consumers can call Whitehall-Robins Healthcare at (800) 525-2607 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's web site.

Only the teething rings, and not the Baby Anbesol Grape Gel, are being recalled.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2001 -- Salsa Cycles is voluntarily recalling about 500 disc-brake specific bicycle rims. The rims can unexpectedly fail during normal use, posing the risk of falls and serious injury to riders.

Salsa Cycles has received six reports of rims failing during use; though, no injuries have been reported. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The recalled rims are the Salsa Alto models, which have a black anodized finish and are labeled Salsa and Salsa Alto in yellow, red and white. The rims, which are used on mountain bikes that have disc brakes, were sold individually or built up into wheels with Shimano Deore or Deore XT hubs.

Independent bicycle dealers sold these rims from January 2001 through August 2001 for $50 (individually) or between $100 and $150 (in built up wheels).

Consumers with the recalled rims should stop using them immediately and return them to the store were purchased, for a full refund or free replacement. Consumer also can call Salsa Cycles toll-free at (877) 887-2572 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or log on to the companys website at www.salsacycles.com.

June 29, 2009
Ford is recalling about 1,300 Expedition and Navigator SUVs because of a problem with the brake light switch.

The company said the switch may be improperly adjusted, which could result in a delay in the brake light illuminating.

Dealers will adjust the switch free of charge when the recall begins in July.

Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or at www.ownerconnection.com.

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.

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2002 -- Jakks Pacific Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 296,000 cans of its aerosol "Smatter" spray foam. If the pressurized can is left in a hot automobile, it can forcefully break apart and cause injury to those nearby.

Jakks Pacific has received eight reports of the aerosol container breaking apart. One child reportedly suffered a minor bump on the head when a can of spray foam broke apart after being in a hot car. In two cases, car windshields were cracked.

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

Only early production of spray foam with the date codes "0492PT" to "0952PT" stamped on the bottom of the can are involved in this recall. "Smatter" is an aerosol product that sprays a soft foam material from the can when the nozzle is pushed. The product is generally used at parties, celebrations, or games. The spray foam is sold in three different varieties: "Original Smatter," "Spit Smatter," and "Fatter Smatter." "SMATTER" appears in large print on the can and on the cardboard packaging. "NickelodeonTM" is written on the orange handle. "Made in China" is written the back of the product.

Discount department and toy stores sold the recalled "Smatter" products nationwide from February 2002 through June 5, 2002 for about $10.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled "Smatter" away from children and contact Jakks Pacific, Inc. at (800) 554-5516 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, for information on receiving a free replacement "Smatter" product. Never leave any aerosol can in a hot car because it could break apart, possibly causing injury.

Lynn of St. Louis writes:
My Cherokee fleece pants caught on fire while standing around a camp fire. It was 11 in the morning and a spark from the fire hit my pants and within 3 seconds created a hole 8" X 6". I was on fire!

I put myself out by beating the flame but endured 2nd degree burns on my hands in doing so. I would never have thought those pants to be so flammable. Luckily I had leggings on underneith which were charred but not burnt.

Damages: Trauma from the incident Extreme pain from the burn. A doctor's visit. Medication. Scaring Loss of clothing.

Lynn should report this to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2001 -- LaJobi Industries is voluntarily recalling about 400 "Molly" and "Betsy" style wooden cribs. These cribs have cut-outs in the end panels that allow young children to get their heads trapped, possibly resulting in strangulation. The cribs fail to meet federal safety standards.

LaJobi has not received any reports of injuries involving these cribs but in the past there have been deaths reported in other firms' cribs with end panel cut-outs. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

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

Both cribs have openings on each end panel. The end panels on the "Molly" style cribs are made of solid wood with openings on both sides. The end panels on the "Betsy" style cribs are constructed with wood slats. The model numbers are printed inside the headboard at the bottom.

Juvenile specialty stores nationwide sold the cribs between May 2000 through September 2001 for about $700 for the Molly model and $650 for the Betsy model.

Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact LaJobi to receive replacement end panels. Consumers can contact LaJobi at (888) 266-2848 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit the firm's web site at www.bonavita-cribs.com.

June 9, 2009
About 2,900 Bonavita "Hudson" and Babi Italia Pinehurst drop-side cribs are being recalled. The wooden crib slats can detach or break creating a gap, which can pose a fall, entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

CPSC and LaJobi Importers have received a total of 33 reports of drop side detachment due to spring pin failure. In these reports, two children became entrapped and one child fell from cribs. Both entrapped children were freed by caregivers, one child was bruised.

The recalled cribs are wood with a metal mattress support and have drop sides and were sold in a variety of finishes including cherry, espresso, natural, and white. Hudson and Pinehurst drop side cribs with production dates from December 2006 through August 2007 are included in the recall. The recalled cribs have the production date, product order (PO) number, item number, and color printed on a label attached to the footboard or headboard.

The Babi Italia Pinehurst drop side cribs were sold exclusively by Babies R Us. Bonavita Hudson drop side cribs were sold at Baby Basics, Beautiful Beginnings, and Buy Buy Baby stores and childrens product stores nationwide for about $300. Cribs were sold from December 2006 through December 2007. They were made in China.

CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. LaJobi will provide professional technicians to perform in-home installations of a free retrofit hardware kit. Consumers should contact LaJobi to register for the free retrofit kit service.

For additional information, contact LaJobi toll-free at (866) 688-9009 anytime, or visit the firms Web site at www.LaJobi.com

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