Recalls in January 1970

August 10, 2005
Watts Water Technologies, Inc. is recalling about 4,500 gas ball shut-off valves. A gas leak from these valves could pose a risk of fires and explosions.

The recall involves a one-inch gas ball shut-off valve sold as a Watts Series GBV two-piece, Brass Gas Ball Valve used in commercial and residential applications for manufactured natural gas and liquid propane (LP) gas piping systems.

The valves feature a brass ball and stem, teflon seats and packing, brass end piece and a zinc alloy handle. They have a date code of 0511 cast into the body of the valve. Some 0511 body date code valves were among 1,225 valves shipped to 43 Watts customers locations between July 9, 2005 and August 8, 2005. Of these 1,225 valves, all but 9 valves shipped to 6 commercial customers have been recovered or accounted for.

The valves were sold by commercial supply houses from July 9, 2005 through August 8, 2005.

Watts Water Technologies is providing a free replacement. Almost all valves have been recovered.

Consumer Contact: Consumers with recalled gas ball valves should contact Watts by calling its customer service number at (978) 689-6066 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday. For additional information on this product, consumers can visit the Watts Web site at www.Wattsind.com.

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

June 6, 2005
About 250 DeWALT Framing Nailers are being recalled. The contact trip on some of the nailers could malfunction and cause a nail to eject unexpectedly, posing a risk of serious injury.

DeWALT has received one report of a contact trip malfunctioning. There have been no reports of injuries.

The recall involves new DeWALT D51844 and D51845 Heavy-Duty 20 Full Round Head Framing Nailers, and new DeWALT Model D51722 Heavy Duty 31 Clipped Head Framing Nailers. The recalled units have the following date codes: 200203, 20024, 200217, 200302, 200304, 200308, 200315, 200325, 200329, 200343, 200403, 200404, 200406, 200407, 200412, 200413, 200415, 200416 and 200417.

The new units have a rework date code of 200449DM, 200450DM, 200451DM or 200452DM on the carton. The recall also involves reconditioned DeWALT D51844R and D51845R Heavy-Duty 20 Full Round Head Framing Nailers, and reconditioned DeWALT Model D51822R and D51823R Heavy Duty 31 Clipped Head Framing Nailers, with date codes 200423 through 200509.

New nailers were sold at major home centers and hardware stores nationwide from December 2004 through March 2005 for between $250 and $300. Reconditioned nailers were sold at company service centers nationwide from June 2004 through March 2005 for between $230 and $280.

Consumers should stop using the nailers immediately and contact DeWALT for the location of the nearest service center to receive a free inspection and repair.

Consumer Contact: Call DeWALT toll-free (866) 397-3228 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit DeWALTs Web site, www.DeWALT.com

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

August 17, 2005
Mac Tools is recalling about 2,000 of its 3/8-Inch Drive Cordless Drill/Driver. The battery packs can overheat, expand and possibly rupture, creating an explosion or thermal burn hazard.

Mac Tools has received six reports of battery packs rupturing while charging and one report of the battery pack rupturing while in use. The rupture that occurred while the product was in use resulted in the user sustaining minor skin burns. The other incidents did not involve any injuries.

The recall involves certain MAC-brand 14.4 Volt and 18.0 Volt 3/8-inch drive cordless drill/drivers. The 14.4 Volt units have part number CDD14438 or CDD14438-Kit and the 18.0 Volt units have Part Number CDD18012 or CDD18012-KIT. The part number can be found on the side of the drill near the logo.

The units were sold by Mac Tools distributors from November 2003 through April 2005 nationwide for between $270 and $312, depending on the model.

Consumers should stop using the recalled drill/driver immediately and contact their Mac Tools distributor for information on receiving a free replacement drill/driver with battery pack.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call the Mac Tools Repair Department toll-free at (877) 622-3494 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their Virtual Customer Service Web site at www.MacTools.com/vcs.

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

September 29, 2005
Saab is recalling roughly 300,000 Saab 9-3s and 9-5s from the model years 2000 through 2002 because of overheating in the ignition system.

A spokesman for Saab says the recall involves a problem where electric overload causes ignition box failure and the engine won't start. "In rare cases," according to the spokesman, "engines have stopped while driving."

Four reported incidents are attributed to the engines stopping while driving but no injuries were reported.

Saab plans to contact owners of the models directly and ignition box replacements will begin next year.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2002 -- McDonald's Corp. and Bobble Dreams USA are voluntarily recalling about 100,000 bobble head figurines. The paint on some of the figurines contains excess levels of lead. If ingested over time by children, the lead from the paint may present a lead poisoning hazard.

McDonald's has not received any reports of injuries or incidents involving these figurines. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The recalled bobble head figurines are designed in the likeness of NFL players Brian Urlacher and Anthony Thomas. The 7-inch tall figurines have heads on springs that cause them to bobble from side to side. The figurines are dressed in Chicago Bears' uniforms. The McDonald's logo and the player's name are printed across the front of the base. Labels on the bottom of the figurine read, "BOBBLE DREAMS USA" and "MADE IN CHINA," and "OFFICIAL NFL LICENSED PRODUCT."

McDonald's restaurants sold the figurines in the greater Chicago area, Northwest Indiana, Central Illinois and Rockford as part of a promotion that ran from August 19, 2002 through September 12, 2002 for about $5.00.

Consumers should keep these figurines away from children and contact McDonald's at (800) 244-6227 to receive return and refund instructions. Consumers can also visit the company's web site at www.mcdonalds.com.

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

Dynacraft has received eight reports of injury to riders when the front forks on these bikes broke apart. Injuries included cuts, bruises, back strain and chipped and lost teeth, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported.

These are "Vertical XL2" mountain bikes with chrome-colored frames. The model name is written on the bike frame in yellow and black lettering. A label affixed to the frame near the crank reads "Model No. 8526-26" and "99.10.11," which shows they were manufactured the week of October 11, 1999. Only bikes with this date code are part of this recall.

Another nearby label reads "Dynacraft Industries," and "Made in China." Target stores nationwide sold these mountain bikes from November 1999 through February 2000 for about $140.

Consumers should stop riding the bikes immediately and take them to the Target store where purchased for a choice of a free replacement fork or a free replacement bike. For more information or to receive a free replacement fork by mail, call Dynacraft Industries Inc. at (800) 551-0032 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

February 16, 2005
Federal regulators have launched an early-stage safety investigation into 2004 models of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus RX330 SUV, according to published reports.

A Toyota spokesman in Tokyo confirmed the investigation, which is a preliminary evaluation of a possible glitch in the vehicle's power brake assist system.

If warranted after this first step, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration carries out a further engineering analysis to determine whether a recall would ultimately be required.

Toyota is reportedly cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2002 -- Hunter Fan Co. is voluntarily recalling about 100,000 humidifiers. The motors in these humidifiers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Hunter Fan has received nine reports of the humidifiers' motors overheating, including one incident involving minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled humidifiers have the following model numbers and date codes, which can be found on a label located on the back of the motor/switch housing (see example of the label below):

Discount, hardware and lighting stores; wholesale clubs; home centers; catalogs; and various online stores sold these humidifiers nationwide from August 2000 through February 2002 for between $50 and $120.

Consumers should stop using these humidifiers and unplug them immediately. Consumers should call Hunter Fan at (800) 207-5982 anytime to arrange for a free repair or replacement. For more information, consumer can log on to the company's website at www.hunterfan.com.

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

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2001 -- Hurricane Products is voluntarily recalling about 20,000 propane regulators, manufactured by Chen Fong Enterprise Co. Ltd., of Taiwan. The regulators are used to regulate the flow of propane from pressurized containers.

The regulators can leak propane, which can result in a fire or explosion. The leak can cause the appliance flame to be larger than expected, possibly causing burns to nearby consumers and cause nearby combustibles to catch fire.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 1999 -- Following the choking death of a four-year-old boy in Europe, IKEA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of 28,000 stacking ring toys.

IKEA U.S. Inc., of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., is voluntarily replacing the red ball pieces on top of the wooden stacking rings because of the choking hazard the red ball presents.

The death in Europe is the only confirmed injury reported so far.

The stacking ring toy, called "MULA," is 8.5 inches high. The toy consists of eight brightly colored, wooden rings; a red, top ball; and a pedestal base with a stacking rod. When all the pieces are stacked in order, the toy resembles an inverted cone with the red ball capping it. There is a sticker under the pedestal base with the words, "Design and Quality" and "IKEA of Sweden" written on it.

The toy is packaged in either a white cardboard box with "MULA" printed in orange, or sold shrink-wrapped with "MULA" and "Stacking rings" printed on the plastic wrapping.

IKEA stores nationwide sold these stacking toys from October 1991 through April 1999 for about $6.

Consumers should take the red ball that tops this toy away from children immediately. Consumers can mail the ball to IKEA or take it to any IKEA store to receive a redesigned top piece.

The red ball can be mailed to IKEA U.S. Inc., 496 West Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. Postage costs will be reimbursed. Consumers also can return the stacking ring toy to any IKEA store for a refund.

For more information, consumers should call IKEA at (800) 793-5408 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. EDT Monday through Saturday.

March 3, 2005
QSP, Inc., is recalling about 555 toy flying saucers. The units can overheat while charging, resulting in the plastic motor cover starting to melt, creating a risk of burns to children handling the toy.

QSP has received five reports of overheating. There have been no reports of injury.

Flying Saucer battery-powered toys with model numbers 83153 and 3321 consist of a 9-inch diameter foam saucer with a rechargeable motor at its hub with a plastic propeller under the motor. The Flying Saucer is a foam ring with seven ribs or blades between the hub and the outer ring. The propeller rotates inside the circumference of the foam ring. The toy comes with a plastic hand-held thrust transmitter that is used to activate and control the speed of the saucer. Each toy also comes with an AC adapter for recharging the saucers batteries. No other models are affected.

The toys were distributed through school fund-raising programs nationwide from August 2004 through September 2004. None of the recalled units were sold at retail.

Schools and fundraising officials have received notification of this recall. Consumers can return the product for a replacement prize of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For more information, and assistance in identifying the recalled toys, consumers can contact QSP Inc. at (800) 966-4540 between 9 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).

Safe Bedding For Babies

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2000 -- To prevent deaths from soft bedding, seven major retailers are joining the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in kicking off a safety campaign promoting safe bedding practices for babies.

As many as 900 baby deaths each year attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) may actually be caused by suffocation in soft bedding, such as quilts, comforters, pillows and sheepskins.

Babies "R" Us, IKEA, JCPenney, Kmart, Lands' End, Sears and Target, which account for the majority of baby bedding sales, are making changes to crib displays in retail stores, catalogs, advertisements and websites.

Beginning this Spring, shoppers will no longer see cribs made up with pillows, quilts and comforters. Many retailers will be including cautionary statements about the use of soft bedding for younger babies in their catalogs, on signs attached to cribs, and on inserts that accompany baby comforters and quilts. When babies are featured in crib ads, they always will be pictured sleeping on their backs. Other retailers are going to create bedding safety brochures for customers and add quilt racks to their nursery product lines.

Since 1994, CPSC has warned about the danger of soft bedding to babies under 12 months. But when consumers went to stores or browsed through catalogs, they often got a different message. Cribs made up with comforters, quilts and pillows may have encouraged parents to use these items in the crib with an infant. Parents unaware of the warnings, would not know that these items could be deadly for young babies.

"Parents and caregivers will no longer get a mixed message on how to create a safe sleeping environment for their baby," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Whether browsing through a catalog or floor display, cribs will now display a safe way to put baby to sleep."

For babies under 12 months, CPSC, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recommend the following to help reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Place baby on his/her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.

• Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like stuffed toys and other pillow-like soft products from the crib.
  

• Consider using a sleeper as an alternative to blankets with no other covering.
  

• If using a blanket, put baby with his or her feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, only as far as the baby's chest.

• Make sure your baby's head remains uncovered during sleep.

• Do not place baby on a waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow or other soft surface to sleep.
  

CPSC has worked with manufacturers to get warning labels on infant pillows, and is now working for a similar warning on baby quilts and comforters.

April 29, 2005
Atico International USA is recalling about 1.5 million children's folding chairs. The chairs safety lock can fail, allowing the chair to collapse or fold unexpectedly.

Childrens fingers can become caught or entrapped in the hinge and slot areas of the chair, posing a pinch or cut hazard. This can cause severe lacerations and fingertip amputations.

The firm has received four reports of fingertip amputations and seven reports of lacerations to childrens fingers.

The recalled childrens folding chairs are made of metal tubing with a padded seat. They were sold in red, blue, yellow and green colors either individually or as part of a set consisting of a table and four chairs. Each chair is about 22-inches high, 10-inches wide, and about 11-inches deep. IMPORTED BY: ATICO INTERNATIONAL USA, INC. is written on a label located underneath the seat of some of the chairs.

The chairs were sold at hardware, discount department, toy, grocery and drug stores nationwide from September 2002 through April 2005 for about $10 individually and for about $30 for a set.

Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs and contact Atico for a full refund.

Consumers should call Atico at (877) 546-4835 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the companys Web site at www.aticousa.com.

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

November 8, 2005
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating consumer complaints about battery cables in the 2005 Volvo XC90 SUV.

The complaints focus on the main cable that connects the battery to the starter. In some cases, a nut may come loose and detach the cable from the starter or the starter fails to operate, according to Volvo North America Corp.

NHTSA reports that in some cases smoke was observed coming from overheated cables.

The preliminary investigation will involve 39,500 vehicles. There have been no crashes, fires or injuries linked to the complaints.

May 17, 2005
Michaels of Oregon is recalling about 8,000 Kydex Belt Holsters for Glock model handguns. The holsters retention strap can move out of position and could cause a handgun to unexpectedly discharge while being reholstered, posing a serious injury risk.

The firm has received three reports of unexpected discharges. In one incident, a law enforcement officer was shot in the leg while reholstering his firearm.

The recall includes Kydex Belt and Tactical Holsters with thumb break fits for Glock model handguns. The holsters are rigid and are made of black Kydex and come with tension screws for a proper fit. The words, Uncle Mikes by Michaels of Oregon are printed on the back of the holster. The recall involves sizes 12, 21, and 25, which is printed on the inside of the holster between the two screws securing the holster to the belt slide.

The holsters were sold through Uncle Mikes and Uncle Mikes Law Enforcement catalogs and at sporting goods stores and gun supply stores nationwide from January 2002 through October 2002 for between $25 and $50.

Consumers who have purchased a Kydex Holster with a Thumb break for a Glock Handgun should stop using it immediately and contact Michaels of Oregon for a replacement retention strap free of charge.

Consumer Contact: Call Michaels of Oregon at (800) 471-4999 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at www.michaeloforegon.com

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

April 19, 2005
General Motors' best-selling pickup truck -- the Silverado -- is once again the subject of a National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation that could lead to the second recall of the vehicle in less than a year.

The investigation centers around galvanized steel cables that support the trucks' tailgate. Customers say the cables can corrode and snap, dropping payloads or people to the ground.

A total of 3.1 million vehicles are covered by the investigation, including 1.67 million Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups after reports of at least 35 more injuries due to broken support cables, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site Monday. That study covers 1998, 1999 and some 2000 vehicles.

The tailgates on GM's smaller Chevrolet S10 and GMC Sonoma pickups are also being looked at, the agency said. That investigation covers as many as 1.43 million trucks from the 1998 through 2004 model years.

In the current investigation, NHTSA has logged 29 injuries involving the smaller S-10 and Sonoma pickups for the 1998-2004 model years, and 54 tailgate injuries involving Silverados and Sierras sold in 1998, 1999 and part of the 2000 model year.

The tailgates could be prone to the same tailgate failures that led to a recall of 3.66 million vehicles last year. NHTSA points out that the S-10 and the Sonoma cables used similar sheathing material as the larger pickups recalled last year.

Last year's recall covered 4.1 million Silverado and Sierra pickups to fix a similar problem. Customers have been informed via mail that they can take their trucks to a dealer for new rust-resistant stainless steel cables.

NHTSA reports that its has documented nearly 13,000 consumer complaints and warranty claims for Chevrolet Silverado, Sierra, S-10 and Sonoma pickup trucks. They were not covered by a previous tailgate cable recall in March 2004.

June 10, 2005
Murrys, Inc., a Lebanon, Penn. firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 63,850 pounds of frozen ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

All of the products subject to recall contain the production code 40104 and bear the establishment number EST. 516A inside the USDA seal of inspection.

Products subject to recall include:

• Packages of MURRYS 100% PURE BEEF Jumbo Beef Patties. Each package contains 6-6.4 ounce patties. The item code, 06716 is listed on the label. The patties were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to retail customers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
• 20-ounce packages of MURRYS Family of Fine Foods Gourmet Meatballs, Oven Ready, Cooks in 15 Minutes. The item code, 63101 is listed on the label. The meatballs were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to retail customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.
• 10-pound boxes of MURRYS Steaks and Other Fine Foods, 01357, 4B WIDE 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES, NET WT. 10 LBS. The patties were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to foodservice customers in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
• 10-pound boxes of MURRYS Steaks and Other Fine Foods, 01340, 2 OUNCE 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES, NET WT. 10 LBS. The patties were produced on April 1, 2004, and were distributed to retail customers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

The recall was prompted by epidemiological evidence provided to FSIS by the state of New Jersey related to an illness linked to consumption of this product.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Senior Vice-President-Food Store Division Gary Gold at (301) 420-6400, ext. 825.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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

April 11, 2005
Chrysler has recalled 70,384 model year 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans to replace the liftgate control at the rear of the vehicle.

The voluntary recall is caused by a liftgate latch which could become stuck. If the latch does not close properly, the rear liftgate could open.

"People have had the experience of starting up their vehicles and their liftgate opened up," a Chrysler spokesman said. "Typically it happens at low speed."

Chrysler has no reports of crashes or injuries because of the problem.

Chrysler is notifying owners to take their minivans to a dealer to have the control module replaced at no charge.

February 25, 2005
Tiffany is recalling its Farm Teether Rattle. A metal bar on the rattle can break off during use, releasing small round beads and small farm animal figures that roll off the crossbar when the soldered joints break. The beads can pose an aspiration hazard to young children.

The breakage also can create ragged edges on the ring, posing a laceration hazard.

The company has received one report of a farm animal figure that was found in the mouth of a 7-month-old child. The child was not injured.

The recalled rattle is designed for children ages 3 months and up. The Farm Teether Rattle is a hollow, sterling silver ring approximately 3 inches in diameter with a bar across its center. The bar is attached to the interior of the ring at two points and has three farm animals (sheep, duck and cow) and two beads that rotate on the bar. Small plastic beads inside the ring rattle when the product is shaken. Inscribed on the rattle is 2002 TIFFANY & CO. 925.

Tiffany and Company sold these rattles in its retail stores and from its catalogs and Web site from November 2002 through early March 2004 for about $150.

Consumers can return the product to Tiffany and Company for a full refund, credit or a new rattle.

Consumer Contact: For more information, customers can contact Tiffany and Company at (800) 464-5000 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Tiffany and Company also is contacting customers about the recall.

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