Recalls in January 1970

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2000 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 99 Cents Only Store, in City of Commerce, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 26,000 "Firestopper" fire extinguishers. Because of the high-pressure contents of these fire extinguishers, they can explode and expose consumers to flying debris, causing puncture wounds and blast injuries.

CPSC and the firm have received five reports of the fire extinguisher exploding in consumers' homes. One consumer was hit by flying debris, but was not injured. The explosions have resulted in property damage.

The fire extinguisher is yellow with a black top and a red spout. "FIRESTOPPER" is written on the side of the extinguisher in orange. The "I" in the name is written to resemble a flame. Other writing on the unit includes "ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE," "NON-TOXIC," "The Portable Liquid Fire Extinguisher," and "MADE IN THE USA." The extinguisher is about 10 inches high and the net weight is 12 ounces. The product was originally marketed by Bombay Productions Inc. in California.

Dollar-type discount stores, including Only Deals and Bargain Wholesale, and wholesalers sold these fire extinguishers nationwide from January 1999 through February 2000 for between $.99 and $4.

Consumers should discharge these fire extinguishers into a plastic garbage bag or similar container outside, in an open area. Consumers can return the discharged units to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call 99 Cents Only Stores at (888) 289-3325 between 9 a.m and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

November 27, 2008
Century Cookware stainless steel stockpots are being recalled. They have metal handles that can detach during use, posing a serious burn hazard to consumers.

Ocean State Jobbers, the importer, has received one report of the handles breaking off a pot and causing a burn injury.

This recall involves the 8-quart, 12-quart, 16-quart, and 20-quart Century Cookware Stainless Steel Stockpots with glass lids. Century Cookware is marked on the front and on the bottom of each pot.

The pots were sold at all Ocean State Job Lot stores throughout New England from July 2008 through October 2008 for between $12 and $25. They were made in India.

Consumers should immediately stop using the stockpots and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Ocean State Jobbers at (800) 603-9601 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firms Web site at www.oceanstatejoblot.com(pdf).

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

February 12, 2008
Christmas Tree Shops is recalling about 146,000 tea light candles. The tea light candles have a clear, plastic shell that can melt or ignite, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

The firm has received 13 reports of the plastic shells of the tea light candles igniting or melting, causing minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled tea light candles were sold in the colors and quantities listed below. The individual candles are 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 5/8 inches high. The recall includes the following models:

The model name, UPC and country of manufacture are printed on a label located on the products packaging.

The candles were sold at Christmas Tree Shops retail locations in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions from January 2004 through November 2007 for between $1 and $5. They were made in China and Hong Kong. Embers Tea Light Candles manufactured elsewhere are not subject to this recall.

Consumers should stop using the recalled candles immediately and return them to any Christmas Tree Shops location for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Christmas Tree Shops toll-free at (888) 287-3232 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.christmastreeshops.com

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

July 24, 2008    
Cost Plus Ind. is recalling nearly 9,000 Santorini chairs. The seat weld can fail and allow the chair to collapse, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Cost Plus has received reports of four incidents involving weld failure. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Santorini outdoor stacking chairs. The black metal chairs have vertical bars on the back and horizontal bars across the base.

The chairs were made in Taiwan and sold at Cost Plus and World Market stores nationwide from January 2008 through April 2008 for about $50.

Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs with side weld joints (see below) and return them to any Cost Plus or World Market store for a full refund or exchange. Chairs with rear weld joints (see below) are not included in this recall. To identify if the chair is part of this recall consumers should locate the seat base weld on the underside of the chair. Weld joints located on the sides of the seat are included in this recall.

For additional information, contact Cost Plus toll-free at (877) 967-5362 between 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. ET daily, or visit the firm's Web site at www.worldmarket.com.

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

October 16, 2008   
My Way Corp. is recalling about 800 baby walkers that do not meet the stairway fall hazard standard. The walkers can fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step. Babies using these walkers can be seriously injured or killed.

The recalled walkers were sold for babies 6 months and older. The walkers were sold in the following colors: pink, red, green, blue, and ivory. The walkers have an activity tray with a steering wheel and other toys. My Way Corp is printed on a sticker on the front of the walker.

The walkers were sold at independent discount stores in Puerto Rico from November 2004 through March 2008 for between $18 and $25. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using these walkers immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

For additional information, contact My Way Corp. collect at (787) 758-5848 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

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

April 11, 2001
Ford is recalling 56,000 of its newly-redesigned 2002 Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers. It seems the rear liftgate glass tends to shatter or fall out. The company says a supploier failed to properly paint and apply adhesive to the glass.

Ford says it has instructed dealers not only to contact owners of the recalled models but also to deliver a loaner car to their homes and pick up the SUVs. When the repairs are completed, the trucks will be washed and vacuumed and returned with a full tank of gas, the company said.

While relatively minor, the recall shatters Ford's hopes of "repositioning" the popular Explorer after a disastrous series of rollovers loed to a recall of Firestone tires. Among other changes, the new Explorer is built lower to the ground to make it more stable.

Ford delayed the introduction of the 2002 model for two months to make sure there were no glitches.

The Explorer's not the only new Ford SUV on the recall list. The new Escape, a smaller model, has been recalled five times since it was introduced last August. The most serious problems included a steering wheel that could come off, throttle controls that could stick and fuel lines that could break.

March 6, 2008
Pier 1 is recalling about 18,000 silver square tealight candle holders. The spacing of the holes in a concentrated pattern allows the holder to heat-up. This can cause the tealights to burn unexpectedly fast and with a higher flame height than normal, posing a fire hazard.

Pier 1 Imports has received seven reports of high flames. No injuries have been reported.

The metal Tealight Candle Holder measures 7" x 7" and has a silver metallic top with a black base. It has nine square openings for use with tealight candles. The product's SKU number 2174941 can be located on the bottom of the base.

The holders, made in the Philippines, were sold by Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide from June 2007 through December 2007 for between $6 and $25.

Consumers should stop using the tealight holder immediately and return it to any Pier 1 Imports store for a refund of the purchase price or a store credit. Refunds will be determined based on price paid.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pier 1 Imports at (800) 245-4595 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday and between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Sunday, or 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).

March 21, 2008
Hobby-Lobby Int'l is recalling about 3,200 lithium-polymer battery chargers and lithium-polymer batteries supplied with toy helicopters.

The lithium-polymer batteries can ignite while charging, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

The firm has received three reports of incidents, including a consumer who received serious burns to his hand when a battery ignited.

The recall involves a lithium-polymer battery charger and batteries sold with the AT600 Falcon Helicopter kit. The recall also includes any spare battery (Model AT600B) or spare charger (Model ATS6046) purchased for this kit.

The chargers, made in China, were sold at Hobby-Lobby.com from April 2006 through July 2007 for about $300 per kit. Spare chargers sold for about $15 and spare batteries sold for about $45.

Consumers should stop using the recalled chargers and batteries immediately. Consumers can receive new batteries and a 'smart' charger that will shut down when the charging process is completed by contacting sales@hobby-lobby.com. Hobby-Lobby International has directly contacted consumers who purchased the products from them. Consumers should not return the batteries and chargers to the firm, but follow instructions for disposal and registration on their Web site.

For more information, contact Hobby-Lobby at (866) 933-5972 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, or visit the firm's web site at www.hobby-lobby.com.

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

June 5, 2008
MindWare is recalling about 2,200 Animal Tracking Explorer Kits. Hazard: The powder in the kit marked 'plaster of paris' is actually calcium hydroxide, which poses a risk of skin and eye irritation to children using the product.

The recalled 'Animal Tracking Explorer Kit' includes a bag of white powder marked 'plaster of paris' which is actually calcium hydroxide. It also includes nature study tools and equipment (field lens, specimen jars and bags, labels, puff bottle, plastic gloves, spatula, cardboard strips, paper clips, mixing pot, tweezers, spoon, notebook) and Explorer Guide.

The items were sold through the firm's Web site, www.MindWareOnline.com, and by MindWare's catalog from September 2007 through December 2007 for about $25. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled explorer kit away from children and contact MindWare to receive either a free replacement product or for a full refund.

For additional information, contact MindWare at (800) 588-1072 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT, email the firm at custserv@mindware.com

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

June 26, 2008
Westminster Inc. is recalling about 102,000 "Thunder Wolf" remote-controlled indoor helicopters. The rechargeable battery inside the helicopter can overheat. This can result in the helicopters body melting, as well as a risk of fire or burns to consumers.

Westminster Inc. has received seven reports of overheating and/or melting of the helicopter, including one report of flames and two reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The Thunder Wolf remote-controlled indoor helicopter is made of foam and plastic, and measures about 7 inches by 3 inches. TW0996 is printed on the tail of the helicopter and was sold in multiple accent colors. The helicopter comes with a controller and a separate charger. Only helicopters that do not have Made in China stamped on the underside of the helicopter are subject to the recall.

The helicopters were sold at retail stores nationwide from June 2007 through December 2007 for about $20. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop playing with the recalled helicopters and contact Westminster Inc. for a refund. Retailers will not accept returns or provide a refund.

For additional information, contact Westminster Inc. at (800) 618-0023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET Friday; visit the companys Web site at www.thunderwolfhelicopter.com.

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

October 29, 2008
About 30,000 ghost tealight holders sold at Crate & Barrel and other retailers are being recalled. They can ignite posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

There have been five reports of the tealight holders igniting and one report of the holder becoming excessively hot. Two consumers suffered burns to the hand. Minor property damage to furniture has also been reported.

The recalled product is a metal tealight candle holder in the shape of ghost. The product is white with a black base. They were sold by Crate & Barrel as a set of 3 (SKU #370-846 and/or Catalog Item #X2006) and by other retailers as individual units (SKU #770123). The SKU can be located on the product's packaging.

Crate & Barrel's October catalog and stores nationwide sold the tealight holders from August 2008 to October 2008 for about $10 for a set of 3, and other houseware retail stores nationwide from August 2008 to October 2008 for between $3 and $5 for individually packaged units. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the Ghost Tealight Holders immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information on purchases made from Crate & Barrel contact the firm at (800) 451-8217 between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday. For items purchased elsewhere, contact Trade Associates Group toll-free at (888) 621-8350 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.tagltd.com.

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

December 23, 2008
Woodstock Percussion Inc. is recalling about 2,800 calypso toy steel drums. Surface paint on the drums contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

The recalled steel drum is made of steel and comes with two wooden drum sticks and a wooden stand. The sides of the drums are painted red. The drum pan is painted black with silver markings to show the location of notes. Each rim is stamped with a #5 or #6. Not all drums stamped with a #5 are affected by this recall.

The drums, made in Trinidad, were sold by mail order catalogues, Web sites and retail stores nationwide from December 2006 through December 2007 for between $50 and $100.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled steel drum away from children and return it to Woodstock Percussion for a replacement drum and a $5 credit or payment.

For more information, consumers can contact Woodstock Percussion toll-free at (866) 543-2848 anytime, e-mail safety@chimes.com, or visit the firms Web site at www.woodstockpercussion.com.

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

November 20, 2008
Green Mountain Vista Inc. is recalling about 7,300 window blinds after a 2-year-old girl nearly strangled on a loose cord. The recall is for black-out roller shades and insulated Roman shades. IKEA is also recalling Roman blinds after a one-year-old child died in a strangulation incident.

Federal safety regulators said they received a report of a 2-year-old girl from Bristol, Conn., who suffered a near strangulation last June, when she placed a loose bead cord loop around her neck and then slipped off the radiator where she was standing. Her 5-year-old brother lifted his sister, who was gasping for air, from the cord entanglement. She vomited and had deep neck bruising, but has since recovered from her injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

The black-out roller shades and insulated Roman shades have a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the blind, posing a fatal strangulation hazard to children.

This recall includes all insulated black-out roller shades (colors: white, cream, harvest, light sage) and insulated Roman shades sizes 48, 60 and 72 (colors: white, natural, sage, sienna, blue, goldenrod, mahogany, terracotta). The shades have RN number 107875 printed on the care label of the shade and identify the manufacturer on the 'Installation and Care Instructions.'

The blinds were sold at Country Curtains, Plow & Hearth, The Linen Source, Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, Ann & Hope, The Sportsman's Guide, Target.com, The Curtain Shop of Maine, and Solutions Catalog. Sold nationwide from June 2005 through September 2008 for between $60 and $200. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately check their window coverings to see if the tension device is attached. If not attached, immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Green Mountain Vista Inc. to receive a free repair kit. If the consumer is not able to install the tensioning device, contact Green Mountain Vista for further instructions.

For additional information, contact Green Mountain Vista at (800) 639- 1728 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.gmvista.com.

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

April 29, 2008    
Rio Brands is recalling about 800 of its "Rio Beach" High-Boy Folding Beach Chairs. The rear leg of the chair can break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Rio Brands has received one report of an incident involving minor bruises.

This recall involves the Rio Beach High-Boy folding beach chairs with UPC and model numbers listed below. The chairs have aluminum tubing frames, striped or solid color fabric slings, and wood arms with an attached storage pouch with cell phone pocket. 'Rio Beach High-Boy,' the UPC number and the model number can be found on the hand tag and on a sticker on the rear leg.

The chairs were sold at retail stores nationwide from January 2008 through March 2008 for between $40 and $50. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs and return them to the location where purchased for a full refund.

For additional information, call Rio Brands at (800) 866-8520 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.riobrands.com (PDF)

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

March 27, 2008    
Avon is recalling about 113,000 warming polar bears. The warming pouch inside the bear can overheat and ignite when heated in a microwave oven, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Avon has received 41 reports of the warming polar bear overheating, including six reports of minor burns.

The recalled white plush warming bear has a red hat and brown nose. It is about 17 inches long and comes with a buckwheat-filled pouch that is heated in a microwave oven and is inserted into an opening in the bear's belly. 'Avon Products' is printed on a white tag sewn onto the bear.

The bears were sold by Avon independent sales representatives and online from July 2007 through February 2008 for about $13 when sold alone, or as part of a gift set that sold for about $100. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled warming bear and return the buckwheat-filled pouch for a full refund. Avon is directly contacting consumers who purchased the warming bear.

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

October 14, 2008   
Home Science Tools is recalling about 400 Alnico bar magnets. Surface paints on the magnets contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

This recall involves Alnico 3-inch long bar magnets. The magnets are painted red and blue, and were originally packaged as a pair or as a component of a science kit. The magnets were sold as item number MG-BAR3AL.

The magnets were sold at Web retailers and by mail order between May 2008 and September 2008 for about $6. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled magnets away from children and contact Home Science Tools to receive replacement magnets.

For additional information, contact Home Science Tools at (800) 860-6272 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, or visit the firms Web site at www.hometrainingtools.com.

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

November 20, 2008
IKEA is recalling 670,OOO sets of window blinds after a baby strangled on the inner cord of the blind. Another 4.8 million sets of the blinds were sold outside the United States.

The IRIS and ALVINE Roman blinds were blamed for the death of a one-year-old girl in Greenwich, Conn. Federal safety regulators said that on April 4, the child became entangled in the inner cord of an IKEA Roman Blind and strangled. The child was in a portable playpen that was located underneath a fully lowered blind. She was found partially suspended with the inner cord of the blind wrapped twice around her neck.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that other blinds can be dangerous as well. CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit, consumers should consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

This recall involves all sizes of IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds in white. The blinds have a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name (IRIS or ALVINE), 5-digit supplier number 19799 or 21369, four digit date stamp (YYWW) and the words 'Made in India'. On the bottom edge of the blind there is a sewn-in orange/white safety warning label. The blinds are made from 100% cotton.

The blinds, made in India, were sold at IKEA stores nationwide from July 2005 through June 2008 for between $7 and $30.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman Blinds and return them to any IKEA store to obtain a full refund.

For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ikea-usa.com.

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

December 11, 2008   
Wolf Steel is recalling about 1,200 Napoleon propane gas fireplace inserts. Delayed ignition due to a build-up of propane gas can cause the insert's glass cover to break, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. The company has received one report of a consumer who suffered minor lacerations when the glass cover shattered.

This recall involves Napoleon propane GDI44 gas fireplace inserts. Model number GDI44 is located on the front cover of the operating instructions or on the rating label found behind the right side panel next to the insert's viewing glass. The glass size is 36' wide and 22' high. Napoleon natural gas GDI44 inserts are not affected by this recall.

The inserts, made in Canada, were sold at authorized Napoleon fireplace hearth dealers nationwide from July 2002 through September 2008 for about $2,000.

Consumers should immediately stop using the fireplace and contact Wolf Steel to receive a free repair kit.

For additional information, contact Wolf Steel toll-free at (866) 539-2039 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.napoleonfireplaces.com.

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

May 20, 2008
About 285,000 'Cricket EZ' cell phones are being recalled. A software problem with the cell phones causes audio problems with 911 calls. When a call is connected to 911, the operator may not hear the caller or the caller may not hear the 911 operator.

Cricket has received two reports of the audio not working properly when a consumer placed a call to 911. No injuries were reported.

This recall involves the 'Cricket EZ' cellular phone. The cell phones are small, black and silver bar-style. 'Cricket' is printed on top of the phone above the display panel. Model number 'CRKJ88BKIT' is located on a label inside the battery compartment behind the battery. Units that have a model number that ends with a 'B' ('CRKJ88BKITB'), units that have a green dot on the inside label, and units that were sold after March 2008 are not included in this recall.

The phones were sold by Cricket stores and independent dealers nationwide from February 2008 through March 2008 for about $90. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately return their phone to Cricket for a free software repair. Cricket is directly contacting consumers who purchased these cell phones to alert them to the recall.

For additional information, contact Cricket toll-free at (866) 441-1577 between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. MT Monday through Saturday, and between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. MT on Sunday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.mycricket.com.

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