Recalls in January 1970

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2002 -- Dollar Tree Stores Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 280,000 animal toy sponges. The eyes on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

CPSC and Dollar Tree Stores have received one report of an eye coming off. No injuries have been reported. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

There are three types of sponge animals involved in this recall: whales, turtles and fish. The sponge animals are made of soft terry cloth and have suction cups for attaching to tiled or smooth surfaces. The toys 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 May 2001 through September 2002 for $1.

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

Consumers should take these sponge 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.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2000 -- Pottery Barn Kids is voluntarily recalling about 200 Stinson Bunk Beds. The side rail and guardrails can break, causing the bed to collapse and allowing childen to fall out of the beds.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pottery Barn has received two reports of beds collapsing. Two 3-year-old girls suffered minor scrapes and bruises in separate incidents.

The bunk beds are made of pine in white or honey, and are identified in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog by model numbers 3443082 or 3443090.

The recalled bunk beds were sold through Pottery Barn Furniture Outlets in Leesburg, Va.; Memphis, Tenn.; Dawsonville, Ga.; and Jeffersonville, Ohio; and nationwide through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog from September 1999 through July 2000 for about $1,100.

Consumers should stop using the bunk beds and contact Pottery Barn Kids at (800) 671-8312 to schedule a home pick-up. The firm will refund the purchase price, including shipping, and provide a $200 gift certificate. For additional information, contact Pottery Barn Kids at (800) 671-8312 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Saturday.

The waist snap on the jeans can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

These indigo-colored jeans were sold in children sizes small (2- 3), medium (3-4), large (4-5), XL (5-6) and XXL (6-7). A red and blue label on the jeans reads, "GYMSPORT," and "Made in Mexico." Gymboree stores nationwide sold these jeans from March 1999 through June 1999 for about $19.

Gymboree has received one report of the snap coming off, but there have been no reports of injuries.

Consumers should return the jeans to a Gymboree store for a refund. For more information, call Gymboree at (800) 558-9885 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2001 -- World Industries Inc. is voluntarily recalling 10,000 skateboard helmets. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The helmets failed impact testing required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets. Riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls and could suffer head injuries or death. CPSC and World Industries have not received any reports of injuries.

The recalled helmets come in black, blue and white and have the name "World Industries" printed on the chin strap, the back of the helmet, and the inside padding. On the sides of the helmet, yellow and blue cartoon characters can be seen shooting fire from a gun. Two labels inside of the helmet read in part, "Certified CPSC 16CFR1203," "Warning This Helmet Is Not For Motor Vehicle" and "Made in China."

Retail outlets, chains and catalogs nationwide sold the helmets from October 2000 through May 2001 for about $40.

Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately and return them to the stores where purchased for a full refund. Consumers also can call World Industries toll-free at (888) 338-4562 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 7, 1999 -- Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Metuchen, N.J., is recalling beanbags sold with about 4,800 Barney Hopscotch Game Towels. The seams on these beanbags can separate and allow plastic pellets to be released, presenting an aspiration hazard to young children.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Franco Manufacturing are not aware of any injuries involving these beanbags. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The Barney Hopscotch Game Towel is a terry beach towel with a printed hopscotch board in red, yellow, blue and green. The two beanbags sold with the towels also are made with a terry fabric, one solid green and one solid purple. The beanbags are 2 inches square in size. The towel is 29 inches by 58 inches, and has the Barney, Baby Bop and BJ characters printed on it. The sewn-in label on the towel reads, in part, "Franco Beach Co," and "Made in China." The game towel was sold in a clear plastic bags with white plastic handles.

Ames, Meijers and Walmart stores sold the game towels nationwide from March 1999 through May 1999 for about $15.

Consumers should take these beanbags away from children immediately, and send them to Franco Manufacturing for a refund, including the cost of postage. Only the beanbags should be sent to Franco Manufacturing Co. Inc., ATTN: Consumer Relations, 555 Prospect St., Metuchen, NJ 08840. For more information, consumers should call Franco Manufacturing at (800) 631-4663 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2000 -- Russ Berrie & Co. Inc., of Oakland, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 13,400 rattles. The shape and size of the rattle's handle allow it to become lodged in the throats of babies, posing a choking hazard.

The rattles violate the Federal Hazardous Substances Act for the design and construction of baby rattles, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

CPSC and Russ Berrie are not aware of any incidents or injuries involving these rattles. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The Precious Keepsakes brand silver-plated "New Baby" rattle is 6 inches long and consists of a spinning ball on top of an ornate handle, which includes a small bear and a bow.

The rattle was sold as item number 10399. The item number appears on the product packaging. A silver tag attached to the rattle with a ribbon reads "NEW BABY."

Specialty and drug stores, and flower and gift shops nationwide sold these rattles from November 1998 through December 1999 for about $14.

Consumers should take these rattles away from babies immediately, and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, contact Russ Berrie & Co. at (800) 272-7877 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write to Russ Berrie & Co. Inc., Attn: Customer Service Dept., 111 Bauer Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2000 -- Tropitone Furniture Co., of Irvine, Calif. is voluntarily recalling about 1,440 Echo swivel rocker chairs. The base of the chair can crack, causing the person seated in the chair to fall.

Tropitone has received five reports of the base of these chairs cracking, and one report of a consumer falling from a chair. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately stop using the swivel rocker chairs and contact Tropitone Furniture Co. to receive a free replacement base for their rocker chair. For more information, contact Tropitone at (800) 654-7000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m PT Monday through Friday.

The chairs have oval-shaped arms and are sold in two styles. Chairs with model number 189930 have cushion seats. Chairs with model number 199930 have sling fabric seats. Both models were sold in various solid colors and print fabrics. The chair frames have six color finishes: aged pewter, aluminum, chrome, golden bronze, heron blue, and textured ebony.

Outdoor/patio furniture stores nationwide sold the chairs from January 2000 through May 2000 for between $250 and $280.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2001 -- Honeywell Consumer Products Inc. has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $800,000, settling settles allegations that Duracraft Corp. failed to report incidents associated with its humidifiers, ceramic heaters, and baseboard heaters.

The penalty grew out of charges filed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Honeywell acquired Duracraft in May 1996.

The CPSC alleges that in 1990, Duracraft began complaints about the ceramic heaters smoking or flaming. In December 1995, Duracraft began to receive reports from consumers who observed that the baseboard heaters were smoking or flaming. As of February 1996, Duracraft had notice of at least 33 incidents involving overheating in the ceramic heater, as well as 68 reports of humidifiers emitting smoke, sparks, or catching on fire.

In November 1996, a 6-year-old child died during a fire which CPSC attributes to a failed humidifier.

Duracraft's product tests on several failed ceramic heater units, conducted between May 1996 and June 1997, confirmed the units could fail. Duracraft's testing in February 1996 on the failed baseboard heaters revealed that low fan speeds were causing the failures. Duracraft was aware of failures of the humidifier's safety device, beginning in 1993.

CPSC charges that prior to the acquisition, Duracraft Corp. failed to report these fire hazards to the CPSC. In addition, CPSC charges that after the acquisition, HCP also failed to report to the CPSC in a timely manner.

In cooperation with CPSC, in 1997 and 1998 Duracraft recalled about 1 million humidifiers, 50,000 baseboard heaters, and over 1.6 million ceramic heaters. The humidifiers subject to the recall are model DH-901 through DH-904 units with date codes that fall within the range of 900101 to 941231 and all model DH-3001 through DH-3006 units. The model number and, if applicable, date code are located on a sticker on the bottom of each humidifier's base. The model CZ-520 Space Saver baseboard heaters' exterior housing is constructed of white thermoplastic and a black steel grill, and has two heating control knobs on the right side. The word "Duracraft" is written in gray on the top, right side of the unit. The model number, CZ-520, is located under the words "Made in China" on a silver sticker on the bottom of the heater. The ceramic heaters were sold under the Duracraft and DeLonghi brand names. Duracraft models CZ-303, CZ-304, CZ-308, CZ-318, CZ-319, and DeLonghi model CER-1 are subject to the recall. The model number is located on a silver sticker on the bottom of the heater.

For more information about the three recalls, contact HCP at (800) 431-2165.

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2002 -- Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. is voluntarily recalling about 18,000 Power Plus automotive chargers that plug into automotive cigarette lighters. The automotive chargers are often used on job sites to charge power tool batteries. When used under low voltage conditions, the chargers can overheat. This poses a fire hazard.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC and Milwaukee Electric Tool have received six reports of the chargers overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported involving these chargers.

The recall includes Power Plus automotive chargers and Impact wrench kits containing these chargers. A label on the front of the charger reads, "Milwaukee...POWER-PLUS 9.6 Volt - 18 Volt AUTOMOTIVE CHARGERS." A nameplate on the back of the charger lists the catalog number. Impact wrench kits containing these chargers have serial numbers within the range listed below. The serial number is located on the side of the Impact wrench kit.

Home centers, hardware stores and industrial distributors sold these chargers and wrench kits containing these chargers nationwide from March 2000 through April 2002. The chargers sold for about $115. The Impact wrench kits containing these chargers sold for about $325.

Consumers should stop using the chargers immediately and return them to their nearest Milwaukee factory service center or authorized power tool service center. Consumers can choose from three options, an exchange for a 12, 14.4 or 18 volt battery pack, a replacement charger or a refund. For further details about options, consumers can contact Milwaukee Electric Tool at (800) 414-6527 between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers can locate the nearest service center by visiting the firm's web site at www.heavydutytool.com

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2002 -- Pottery Barn Kids is voluntarily recalling about 3,800 Star Clacker wooden toys and about 3,000 Ride-On Duck wooden riding toys.

The wooden peg can come off of the Star Clacker toy and pose a choking hazard. The Ride-On Duck's wheel cap can break, allowing the wheel to come off and release small parts, also presenting a choking hazard to young children. The Star Clacker wooden toys, also does not comply with the Federal Hazardous Substance Act for design and construction of baby rattles, due to the handle length.

Pottery Barn Kids has received one report of a wheel coming off of the Ride-on Duck toy. No injuries have been reported for either product. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The clackers are made of three wooden star shapes, tied together, with the two outside stars painted red, white or blue. The center star and handle are made of natural wood. The toys measure about 6-inches long. The handle has a gold "Made in China" label and a white label reading, "Intended for Children over 6 months of Age."

The Ride-On Duck is a yellow wooden duck-shaped toy with orange wheels and bill that measures 12-inches high by 20-inches long. It has a gold "Made in China" label on the bottom.

Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide sold the Star Clacker toys from April 2002 through July 2002 for about $6. Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide, catalogs and Internet site sold the Ride-On Duck toys from September 2001 through June 2002 for about $49.

Consumers should take the recalled toys away from young children immediately and return the toys to the store where they were purchased for a refund or replacement toy. For additional information, contact Pottery Barn Kids at (866) 428-6467 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Saturday. Consumers can also visit the firm's web site at www.potterybarnkids.com.

There have been at least three reports of serious injuries to riders, including contusions, bruises and lacerations to the mouth, caused by the front suspension forks breaking.

Hsin Lung Accessory, of Taiwan, is recalling all bicycle suspension forks with model number HSF-350. The fork's model number is on the right tube of the fork. The forks are black, and have "Zoom" written on them.

These forks were installed exclusively on Huffy Bicycle Company "Verdict" full-suspension mountain bikes with serial numbers B98J, B98K, B98L and B99A. The bicycle serial number is on the area where the crank is attached to the frame.

Mass merchandise stores, such as Shopko, Service Merchandise, Pamida and TRU*SERV, sold these bicycles nationwide from January 1999 to June 1999 for about $200.

Consumer should immediately stop riding the bicycles. Hsin Lung Accessory is replacing the bicycle forks with new and improved front suspension forks at no charge. To arrange to get a replacement fork installed and for more information, consumers should call Huffy Bicycles at (800) 872-2453 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

The recall was announced in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2000 --
The Food and Drug Administration warns that several brands of five-layer dips are potentially contaminated with contagious bacteria that causes serious digestive disorders.

The FDA says consumers should be alert for dips sold under the brand names Senor Felix's, Trader Joe's, Delicioso, and The Carryout Café because they have the potential to be contaminated with Shigella sonnei bacteria.

The organism causes a form of bacterial dysentery which can cause bloody diarrhea, cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting and can possibly lead to hospitalization. Shigella infection is serious and very contagious, but can be treated though prompt medical attention.

The recalled five-layer dips contain layers of black or pinto beans, salsa, guacamole, nacho cheese and sour cream, among other ingredients. They were distributed nationwide in retail stores and can be identified with the following brand names:

• Senor Felix's Five Layered Party Dip

• Delicioso 5 Layer Dip

• Trader Joe's Five Layered Fiesta Dip

• The Carryout Café Mexican Fiesta Party Dip 5 Layer

  
  

All of the above products were manufactured by Senor Felix's Gourmet Mexican Foods Inc., of Baldwin Park, Calif.

To date at least 49 illnesses (five hospitalizations) have been reported.

These products were recalled voluntarily (with an accompanying press release) by the company on January 22, after they were linked to shigellosis outbreaks in several western states.

FDA is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments to track the affected products and to identify the cause of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased any of the affected 5 layer dips should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those who have consumed these recalled products and have experienced symptoms of shigellosis should seek medical attention. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-807-7335.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 1999 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Universal Candle Co., of China, is voluntarily recalling about 21,000 Halloween pumpkin tealight candles sold at Bath & Body Works. The candles can burn with a high flame, presenting fire and burn hazards to consumers.

A Bath & Body Works store received one report of a candle generating a high flame. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled tealight candle has an orange pumpkin face, with yellow eyes, nose and mouth and a green stem. Purple outlines the features on the pumpkin face. The wick is placed above the pumpkin's nose. 

The candle is contained in an aluminum base. A label on the base of the candle reads in part, "Specially made in China for Bath & Body Works." Bath & Body Works stores nationwide sold the candles throughout September 1999 for about $1.

Consumers should stop using the candles immediately, and return the candles to any Bath & Body Works store for a full refund and a $10 gift certificate per customer. For more information, consumers should call Bath & Body Works toll-free at (800) 395-1001 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2000 -- ATICO International USA Inc., of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is recalling about 14,000 lighthouse-shaped candle holders because the wooden top can ignite, presenting a fire hazard.

There have been three reports of candle holders igniting. No injuries have been reported.

The candle holders are made of wood (painted white or natural) with a glass and metal top. They measure about 11 inches high and 5 inches wide. A tealight candle is placed in the top of the lighthouse and can be seen burning through the glass windows. There is no identifying information on the product. A sticker on the bottom of the candleholder reads, "Made in China." Rite Aid stores nationwide sold the candle holders from January through March 2000 for about $10.

Consumers should stop using the candle holders immediately and return the product to the nearest Rite Aid for a full refund. For questions, consumers should call ATICO International USA Inc. at (800) 645-3867 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers also can visit Rite Aid's web site.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2000 -- LeapFrog, a division of Knowledge Kids Enterprises Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 500,000 "Alphabet Pal" electronic pull toys. The toy has a two-part, red plastic connector on the pull string designed to separate under tension. The plastic pieces can detach from the string when the connector is pulled apart and could pose a choking hazard to young children.

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

LeapFrog has received nine reports of the red plastic connector detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should cut the red plastic string connector off of these toys immediately, or return it to the firm to receive a free replacement toy without a plastic connector.

Toys without plastic connectors on the pull-string are not part of this recall.

April 6, 2001
General Motors has issued an urgent recall for 6,000 of its new 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazers, GMC Envoys and Oldsmobile Bravadas. A lower control arm in the steering system may break because of defective parts, possibly causing loss of control, GM said.

Owners are being advised to park their trucks immediately. Dealers were asked to tow, not drive, the SUVs in for service and to provide a loaner car while the problem is fixed.

Dealers were notified of the problem yesterday. They were asked to contact new owners immediately and not to sell any new vehicles until they are repaired. Prospective buyers should not even be allowed to take a test drive, the company announcement said.

The defective part was provided by an outside supplier, GM said. The Moraine, Ohio, plant where the new trucks are made is being shut down until April 16 while the problem is resolved. The company said 30,000 of the new SUVs have been manufactured but only 6,000 have been sold in North America.

Ironically, the new GM models are designed to be much safer than earlier SUVs. They are built with a lower center of gravity, a longer wheelbase and an engine that is positioned lower in the frame. Those changes are intended to reduce the chance of a roll-over, the problem that has plagued other SUV models.

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2000 -- Target Corp. is voluntarily recalling about 16,000 glass and metal oil burning candles because the glass can shatter, creating a fire hazard.

Target has received six reports of these candles shattering, including three reports of minor property damage. There have been no injuries reported.

The candles come in two shapes: rectangular and circular. The glass portion of the candle is supported by a metal black metal frame. There are two glass pieces that stack on top of each other. The lower glass piece has a reservoir for oil. The top glass piece has an opening for a wick. The circular candle measures 6.25 inches in diameter and the rectangular candle measures 5.5 inches by 13.5 inches. These candles were made in China. Target stores sold them nationwide from January 2000 through May 2000. The circular candles sold for $8 and the rectangular candles sold for $15.

Consumers should stop using these candles immediately and return them to the nearest Target store for a refund. For additional information, consumers should call Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

April 15, 2003

Playskool is voluntarily recalling about 300,000 Magic Start Crawl 'n Stand toys. The toy, which is designed to encourage crawling babies to pull themselves up and stand, can tip over during use and strike falling babies in the head, face or neck, resulting in injuries.

Playskool has received 44 reports of the toys tipping over during use. There have been 26 reports of babies suffering injuries, including one minor concussion, and various bumps, bruises, black eyes and cut lips.

The Playskool Magic Start Crawl 'n Stand is a multicolor plastic toy with a round base and three arched legs that support an electronic activity center. When crawling babies touch the frame of the toy, music, lights and spinning balls are activated. Babies can pull themselves up on the legs of the toy to play at the activity center. The Playskool logo is imprinted into the plastic base and on top of the activity center. Writing under the activity center includes "ITEM # 06952" and "Made in China."

Wal-Mart stores nationwide sold these toys from November 2002 through April 2003 for about $14.

Consumers should take this toy away from children immediately and contact Playskool to get information on how to return the product to receive a free replacement item of similar value. For more information go to Playskool's Web site at www.playskool.com or call toll-free at (800) 509-9554 anytime.

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

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2002 --The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced a safety recall of Britax Child Safety, Inc., convertible child restraints.

The recall involves 4,959 Advantage convertible child restraints, Model E9022, with production dates from March 5 to July 26, 2001. The date of manufacture is located on the label on the side of the restraint.

According to NHTSA, the tether brackets installed during the affected period may allow one of the tether attachments to separate from the seat shell in a vehicle crash. Separation of one of the tether brackets from the seat shell could allow increased head movement. These seats do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems."