Recalls in January 1970

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2002 -- Damo Plus Corp. is voluntarily recalling about 26,000 10-piece school supply sets. The sets contain razor knives, which pose a laceration hazard to children.

Damo Plus has not received any reports of injuries from these pencil sets. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The school supply sets were sold in 8-inch plastic cases. The sets included the razor knife, pencils, scissors, a ruler, an eraser, a compass, and a tube of glue. Writing on the plastic cases includes "LITTLE WHITE," "LITTLE ARTIST," "GOOD FRIENDS," or "ZHONG BAIO REN." The cases are blue, pink yellow or purple and have pictures of children or animals. These sets were sold in plastic bags with cardboard headers marked "10 PCS SET PENCIL CASE & PENCIL HOLDER," and "MADE IN CHINA."

Discount and dollar stores in California, Texas, Washington, and Maryland sold the sets between June and October 2002 for about $1.

Consumers should immediately take these razor knives away from children and return the pencil sets to the store where they purchased them for a refund. For more information about this recall, consumers should call Damo Plus Corp. collect at (323) 583-8484 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers also can write to the company at Damo Plus Corp., 4535 E. 48th St., Vernon, CA 90058.

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2001 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning caregivers about the dangers of loose or oversized sheets in babies' cribs. Since 1984, CPSC has learned of the deaths of 17 babies, most under 12 months old, who suffocated or strangled when they became entangled in sheets in their cribs or beds. Two of these deaths were with fitted crib sheets.

CPSC has worked to strengthen safety requirements for fitted crib sheets. An industry standard requires crib sheets to have a warning label that says "Prevent suffocation or entanglement. Never use crib sheet unless it fits securely on crib mattress." CPSC also has pushed industry to improve the fit of crib sheets on mattresses.

CPSC has issued a safety alert on this hidden hazard and is working to distribute this information to pediatrician's offices through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The information will be published in the June issue of the Academy's membership newsmagazine, AAP News, which reaches 55,000 pediatricians nationwide. Starting today, the safety alert will be posted on the AAP News' Web site, www.aapnews.org.

"This is a hidden hazard that even the best caregiver may not know about," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "We are pleased the American Academy of Pediatrics is helping us get the word out to parents."

CPSC offers the following tips on ensuring a safer sleeping environment for babies:

• Make sure the crib sheet fits snugly on a crib mattress and overlaps the mattress so it cannot be dislodged by pulling on the corner of the sheet.
• Never use an adult sheet on a crib mattress; it can come loose and present an entanglement hazard to young children.
• Place a baby on his/her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib meeting current safety standards.
• Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, and sheepskins from the crib.

To get a free copy of the crib sheet safety alert, write to CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207 or click here.

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2001 -- Equity Marketing Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 4,300 remote controlled race cars. Problems with the circuits are rendering some of the cars inoperable. The cars can overheat and emit smoke and may pose a potential burn hazard.

The company has received three reports of the toy cars emitting smoke. No injuries have been reported.

The remote controlled race cars are black with the number 28 printed in red on the doors and roof and the Texaco logo printed on the hood of the car. The cars are about 8-inches long by 3-inches wide and 2-inches high. A black cordless remote control is sold with the cars and reads in part " FORWARD," and "REVERSE" in yellow print. Participating Texaco gas stations nationwide sold the cars under the "Need for Speed" promotion from May 2001 through June 1, 2001 for about $12 with any $10 purchase.

Consumers should stop using these cars immediately, remove the batteries from the remote controlled race cars and the remote controls and return the remote controlled race cars and remote controls to the Texaco station where purchased for a full refund. Consumers also may return the items for a full refund by obtaining a prepaid shipping label by calling Equity Marketing Inc. at (888) 747-4355 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or by writing to Remote Controlled Car Recall, Equity Marketing, Inc. at 6330 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. For more information, consumers may also visit the firm's web site at www.equity-marketing.com.

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

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2002 -- Dansk International Designs Ltd., of White Plains, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 190,000 ice cream scoops. A cap at the end of the handle of the scoop can fly off with substantial force, especially if the scoop is immersed in hot water. The metal cap poses a risk of impact injury to nearby consumers.

Dansk has received 10 reports of the caps on these scoops flying off, sometimes traveling several feet. No injuries have been reported.

All the recalled Dansk ice cream scoops are made of aluminum and have a 4.5-inch handle. They were sold in four styles: the plain 3.5- inch spade, the plain 2.5- inch scoop, the Penguin-shaped 2.5-inch scoop and the Snowman-shaped 2.5-inch scoop. Each of the scoops is silver colored. The plain scoop and plain spade have the word "DANSK" written on the handle. Ice cream scoops sold by Dansk with a black cap at the end of the handle are not part of this recall.

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

Dansk Factory Outlet Stores and Lenox Warehouse Clearance Centers nationwide sold these ice cream scoops between January 1988 and November 2001 for about $9.

Consumers should stop using these ice cream scoops immediately, and return them to any Dansk or Lenox Factory Outlet store for a $20 coupon. For more information, consumers should call Dansk toll-free at (866) 855-9303 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's web site at www.dansk.com.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2001 -- Kids II is voluntarily recalling about 21,000 Carter's butterfly baby toys. The antennae on the butterfly toys contain wire that can pass through the fabric, causing cuts and scratches to babies.

Kids II has received 27 reports of wires passing through the fabric on the antennae of these toys, resulting in four babies getting cuts to the hand or face, and five babies receiving scratches.

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

The recall involves Carter's Activity Butterflies with 3-inch long bendable antennae. The body of the stuffed butterfly toy is green and purple and the wings are multi-colored. The toy makes various "fun sounds" when squeezed.

The stuffed stars on the ends of the antennae contain a squeaker and a rattle. The lower wings make a crinkle sound and one of the upper wings contains a mirror. The toy has model number 50052 written on a small tag behind one of its wings. A date code on the opposite side of this tag ends with, "00433," "00856," "01003," or "01148

Mass merchandise and juvenile specialty stores nationwide sold these butterfly toys from February 2001 through August 2001 for between $15 and $20.

Consumers should take these toys away from babies immediately, and return the toy to the store where purchased or contact Kids II for a free replacement butterfly toy. For more information, consumers should call Kids II toll-free at (877) 325-7056 between 7:30 a.m. and 4: 30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's web site at www.kidsii.com.

Butterfly toys with short antennae, about 1-inches long, do not contain wire, and are not part of the recall.

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2002 -- Fitness Quest Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 310,000 Total Gym exercise machines. The handles can detach during use and the cable attached to the handles can break, resulting in injury to the user.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC and Fitness Quest have received about 400 reports of the handles and cables on these exercise machines breaking, resulting in 30 reports of injuries, including lacerations and abrasions.

The recall involves the Total Gym 1000 and the Total Gym Pro model exercisers with serial numbers DK000001 through DK129350, models with the serial number prefixes XO or SM, and models without serial numbers. The serial number is located on the underside of the machine's glide board. The glide board rolls on an inclined track as the user pulls the hand cords or pushes at the base. These exercisers were manufactured in Taiwan, Thailand, and China.

Sporting good stores, web sites, catalogs, and direct sales sold this exercise machine nationwide from June 1997 through October 2001 for between $180 and $200.

Consumers should stop using these exercisers immediately and contact Fitness Quest to order a free repair kit. For more information, contact Fitness Quest at (800) 321-9236 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Total Gym models sold on television infomercials are not included in this recall.

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2001 -- Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. is voluntarily recalling about 6,000 electric wrenches. The wrenches have power cords that can release from the handle, posing an injury or electrocution hazard to consumers.

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

Milwaukee and CPSC have not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The recalled impact wrenches are shaped like drills, but use a forward/reverse (impact) action to tighten/loosen bolts. The wrenches have a red handle, a red and gray body, and the name "Milwaukee" printed on the drill. The model and serial numbers included in this recall can be found on the nameplate located on the body of the tool.

Home centers, hardware stores, and industrial distributors nationwide sold these wrenches from March 2001 to July 2001 for between $180 and $280.

Consumers should stop using these electric wrenches immediately and return them to the nearest Milwaukee Factory Service Center or authorized power tool service center for a free repair. Consumers also can call Milwaukee toll-free at (866) 473-2288 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers can locate the nearest service facility by visiting the company's website at www.mil-electric-tool.com.

Wrenches that have a "X" stamped or etched on the nameplate next to the serial number have already been repaired

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2001 -- Chicco USA is recalling about 6,000 Build-A-Ball preschool toys. The Build-A-Ball toy consists of five multi-colored and various-sized plastic balls that can be taken apart to be stacked on top of each other or placed inside each other. Some of the larger-sized ball halves can become stuck on a young child's face, covering the nose and mouth, and causing suffocation.

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

CPSC received a report of a 2-year-old boy who had a ball-half stuck on his face, covering his nose and mouth. A nearby adult was able to pull the toy from his face. No injury to the child was reported.

The five balls in the toy set range in size from about 2-inches to 4-inches in diameter. One-half of the balls are white, green, blue, red or yellow, and the other half is clear. "chicco" is written inside the balls. The balls are packaged in a box labeled "chicco," "Build-a-Ball," "Cod. 66167," and "Made in China." The packaging also indicated the toy is for children ages 1-3 years or 1-4 years. The text on the packaging is written in 11 languages.

Amazon.com, Army & Air Force Exchanges and other toy stores nationwide sold these toys from January 1999 through April 2001 for about $6.

Parents and caregivers should take these balls away from young children immediately and return the toys to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, consumers should call Chicco USA Inc., toll-free at (866) 242-0643 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company's web site.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2001 -- Jade Products Inc. is recalling about 3,300 Dynasty gas ranges. The igniters are too far from the burners, which can cause a delayed ignition of gas. The large amount of gas released can cause fire to escape from the oven, putting consumers at risk of burn injuries and house fires.

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

Jade Products has received three reports of minor burn injuries when consumers have opened the oven door just as the gas ignited and flames escaped from the oven.

The recalled Dynasty gas ranges are model numbers DGRSC and DGR(c), with serial numbers from 050198-A through 280200-Z. The serial plate, which contains the model and serial numbers, is located under the right burner grate support on model DGRSC, and under the left burner grate (on the left side wall) on model DGR(c). Consumers must remove the burner grill to see the serial plate. The range is 30-, 36-, 48-, or 60-inches wide. "Dynasty" is printed on the lower right corner of the oven door.



Department and appliance stores sold these ranges nationwide from January 1998 through February 2000 for between $2,900 and $8,900.

Consumers should stop using these ranges immediately and call Jade Products toll-free at (888) 607-5694 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2002 -- Ames True Temper is voluntarily recalling about 647,000 wheelbarrows. The plastic wheel assemblies on the wheelbarrows, manufactured by a predecessor company, can break when being inflated with high-pressure air hoses. This can result in plastic pieces exploding from the rims of the wheels, possibly causing lacerations and other injuries.

Ames True Temper has received eight reports of plastic rims fracturing, seven of which involve lacerations to consumers' hands, face, chest or arms. Some of the lacerations were severe, and required numerous stitches. One report involved nasal and other facial bone fractures, three reports involved finger or knuckle fractures, and one report included torn wrist ligaments caused by the force of the pieces striking a consumer.

The wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows have a black plastic rim and have an approximately 14-inch diameter wheel. They have red, green or orange tubs or trays made of steel or plastic. The recalled Ames wheelbarrows were sold under the brand name "Mustang" or "Douglas." The brand name was printed on the label attached to the tray at the time of purchase. Wheelbarrows with metal wheel assemblies are not part of this recall. Also, no "True Temper" wheelbarrow is part of this recall.

Hardware stores and home centers nationwide sold the recalled wheelbarrows from January 1993 through December 2000 for between $20 and $30.

Consumers should not inflate the tires on these wheelbarrows. Consumers should contact Ames True Temper to receive a free replacement steel wheel assembly. For more information, call Ames True Temper toll-free at (866) 239- 2281 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The recalled wheelbarrow wheels were manufactured and sold by O. Ames Company, a predecessor company of Ames True Temper.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2002 -- Carrier Guam is voluntarily recalling about 2,100 window air conditioners. Salty sea spray can cause the electrical capacitor within these units to corrode, posing a possible fire hazard.

Carrier Guam has not received any reports of fires as a result of corrosion in these air conditioners.

These are 7,000 BTU window air conditioners with model number 77ZFA007101. The recalled air conditioners have a serial number within the following ranges:

• 4895Y10001 to 4895Y10300
• 2196Y10001 to 2196Y10300
• 3096Y12302 to 3096Y12700
• 4396Y00101 to 4396Y00500
• 1697Y20873 to 1697Y21072
• 2097Y21165 to 2097Y21464
• 2997Y20457 to 2997Y20656

The model and serial numbers are located on the top of the plastic evaporator scroll behind the unit's front plastic grill. "Carrier" is written on the front of these units.

The Carrier Guam store in Tamuning, Guam, sold these air conditioners from October 1995 through July 1997 for about $380.

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

Consumers with one of these recalled air conditioners should call Carrier Guam at (877) 467-3544 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Guam time Monday through Friday. Carrier Guam will schedule a free inspection and repair visit. Alternatively, consumers may elect to purchase a brand new unit at half price to replace the old unit.

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2001 -- Hallmark Creations, is recalling about 1,300 metal and plastic tea light lamps. The plastic shade that covers the tea light candle can melt, posing a fire hazard. Hallmark has received three reports of the lampshade melting. No injuries have been reported.

Hallmark Creations stores nationwide sold these lamps from January 2001 through May 2001 for about $12.

The lamp has a clear plastic lampshade that covers a base for holding candles. A dark brown curved S-shaped support wire that is decorated with leaves supports the lampshade. The recalled lamp is about 12-inches tall and 4-inches in diameter. The labels on the bottom of the base read "Creations" and "MADE IN TAIWAN."

Consumers should stop using the lamps immediately and return them to a Hallmark Creations store for a refund. For more information, call Hallmark toll-free at (800) 425-5627 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

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

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2000 -- Oregon Scientific Inc. is recalling about 10,000 desktop weather radios. These All Hazards Weather Radios use S.A.M.E. technology to receive local weather warnings broadcast by the National Weather Service.

The problem is that the radio can fail to decode certain signals broadcast by the National Weather Service or can provide incorrect warnings of severe weather that puts lives and property at risk.

The radios also function as AM/FM clock radios and have model number WR-122 printed on the bottom. Writing on the radio reads "NOAA Weather Radio" and "OREGON SCIENTIFIC." The radios have two rectangular screens which display both a standard clock and a dot matrix display of weather forecasts and warnings of severe weather, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Also, there are five black buttons on the right side of the radios that read "NOAA," "MESSAGE," "AM/FM," "PRESET" and "VOLUME." The unit measures about 6.75 inches long by 5.25 inches wide.

The weather radio can be placed upright on a table or mounted on a wall. Office super stores, mass merchandise, home and hardware stores, catalog, and web sites sold the radios from December 1999 through July 2000 for about $70. Only radios with model number WR-122 are part of this recall.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2002 -- Marin Mountain Bikes is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 Marin-brand, aluminum-framed mountain bikes. The steer tube on the front of these bicycles can break off from the two main tubes of the frame causing the rider to lose control, fall and possibly suffer serious injury.

Marin has received two reports of the steer tube breaking off, resulting in two injuries that included broken bones, broken teeth, cuts and abrasions.

The recall involves Marin-brand mountain bikes with aluminum frames. There are seven model bikes with 11.5-inch frames and one model with a 13.5-inch frame. The 11.5- inch bikes have the following model names: Bobcat Trail, Hawk Hill, Palisades Trail, Pioneer Trail, Nail Trail, Stinson and Rocky Ridge. The 13.5-inch model has the model name Quake. The model name is written on the top tube of the mountain bikes. To determine the size of the frame (11.5-inch or 13.5-inch), measure from the center of the crank arm to about 1 inch below the seatpost clamp.

Independent bicycle stores nationwide sold these mountain bikes from August 1998 through July 2002 for between $280 and $900. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Consumers should stop using the recalled bikes immediately and contact Marin Mountain Bikes to learn where to take their bikes to have the frames replaced free of charge. For more information, contact Marin at (800) 876-9840 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 14, 1998 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Summer Infant Products Inc., of Cumberland, R.I., is recalling about 5,000 Garden Play Yard Pals crib and play yard rail toys. The plastic flower toy stem on this toy can break when bent, creating a sharp edge hazard for young children, and possibly causing cuts or puncture injuries.

Summer Infant Products, Inc. has received three reports of flower stem breaking. There have been no reported injuries.

Garden Play Yard Pals attaches to cribs and play yard rails. The toy includes three figures on a plastic base: a gopher in a cup, a butterfly with a spinning ball rattle, and a flowered mirror with red and purple clackers around its stem. "Summer" is written in white letters on the front of the base. The toy was packaged in a box labeled with UPC number 0 12914 05802 2.

Retail and specialty stores, including Babies R Us, Ross Stores, TJ Maxx, and Value City, sold the toy from February 1998 through November 1998 for approximately $12.

Consumers should stop using the Garden Play Yard Pals immediately. For more information and to get a replacement product or a refund, call Summer Infant Products at (800) 426-8627 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or write the company at Summer Infant Products, 33 Meeting Street, Cumberland, RI 02864.

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.

WASHINGTON, Mar. 20, 2000 --Maxim Enterprise Inc. and Zany Brainy are recalling about 4,900 wooden pull toys. The pull toy's wheels can break off and the bead can detach from the pull string, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The firms have received a report of wheels coming off and a report of the bead detaching from the pull string. The detached bead was found in a child's mouth. No injuries were reported, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Zany Brainy stores nationwide sold the toy set from November 1999 through February 2000 for about $70.

Consumers should immediately take the pull toys away from children, and return them to any Zany Brainy store for a $15 refund. For more information, contact Maxim Enterprises at (888) 266-2946 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the Zany Brainy web site at www.zanybrainy.com.

The toy is called the Wooden Pull Along Bead Coaster, which is written on the packaging. It is a flat, wooden platform with wooden wheels, and is about 10 inches long. On top of the platform are twisting, red and blue plastic wires threaded with multi-colored beads. The red pull string that attaches to the platform has a bead at the end. "BEAD COASTER" is printed on top of the wood platform of the toy in multicolor block letters.

The pull toy was part of a toy box set from the "Childhood Classics Wooden Chest & Toy Collection." The other toys in the set included wood puzzles, a pounding bench and a block set.

A supporting clip that affixes the spray nozzle to the bottle becomes brittle and could break off during use. The cleaning solution could spill onto consumers' hands or get in their eyes, causing irritation and burns to the skin or eyes.

The product, used to clean exterior wood, is sold individually and in a kit with a wood protector. The 32-ounce bottle is gray and shows a photo of a wooden house deck on the label. A blue cap attaches the white spray apparatus on the bottle that is designed to be used with a garden hose. 

There is no handle on these bottles. They are designed to be held by the neck of the bottle. 

Hardware stores, such as Scotty's, Hechingers and Lowe's, sold the wood cleaner nationwide from March 1999 through May 1999 for $10 to $12, and for $27 to $30 when sold as part of the kit.

No accidents or injuries have been reported. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prevent possible injuries.

Consumers should stop using this wood cleaner immediately, and return it to the store where it was purchased for replacement with a wood cleaner in a redesigned bottle, or a refund. The redesigned bottle supports the nozzle attachment with a handle. For more information, consumers should call GE at (800) 626-2000 anytime.

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2000 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dollar Tree Stores Inc.is recalling about 700,000 doll feeding sets. The doll bib in the set has snaps that detach, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these bibs. The recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The recalled doll feeding set consists of a bib with pink and blue baby cupids, a plastic baby food jar with pink top and a label reading "Love My Baby Baby Food", baby bottle, two-handle pink cup, and a small blue container. Writing on the packaging reads "Love My Baby Doll Care Feeding Set." On the back right-hand corner of the package is SKU number 563239. The set was sold in a box labeled for children ages 4 years and over.

Dollar Tree Stores nationwide sold the doll feeding sets during December 1999 for about $1.00.

Consumers should take this recalled toy away from young children immediately and return it to any Dollar Tree Store for a refund. For additional information, call Dollar Tree Stores at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection brought this matter to CPSC's attention.