Recalls in August 2007

August 30, 2007
B&F; System Inc. is recalling Yorkcraft emergency tool kits. Booster cables in the recalled kits can have undersized wiring and inadequate connections, posing a fire and shock hazard to consumers.

The recalled emergency tool kits have booster cables in combination with other tools and safety equipment. The recall includes the following models:

#MTHEK41 - Yorkcraft™ 41 piece SAE & Metric kit

#MTHEKSM - Yorkcraft™ 6 piece kit

#MTHEKREF - Yorkcraft™ 15 piece kit

#MTHEK15 - Yorkcraft™ 15 piece kit

#MTEKIT2 - Yorkcraft™ Emergency Tool Kit

The kits were sold at flea markets and various Internet sites nationwide from June 2003 through May 2007 for between $5 and $45. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the booster cables in the recalled kits immediately and contact the firm to receive a refund for the cost of the cables.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact B&F; System toll-free at (877) 586-2926 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firms Web site at www.bnfusa.com.

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

August 30, 2007
Toys "R" Us is recalling about 27,000 Imaginarium wooden coloring cases made in China. The printed ink on the outer packaging of the wood case contains lead. Also, some of the black watercolor paint contains excessive levels of lead, the company said.

The recall involves the Imaginarium brand 213 Piece Wooden Coloring Case which includes crayons, pastels, colored pencils, fiber pens, paintbrush, pencil, water colors, palette, white paint, ruler and pencil sharpener in a light tan wooden carrying case. The case measures about 14 inches high by 19 inches wide.

The sets were sold by Toys "R" Us stores nationwide and by toysrus.com from October 2006 through August 2007 for about $20.

Consumers should immediately take the products away from children and return the item to the nearest Toys "R" Us store for store credit.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Toys "R" Us at (800) TOYSRUS/869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, or visit the companys Web site at www.toysrus.com.

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

August 29, 2007
Cadillac has issued a recall for 1049 of the 2006 and 2007 model year hearses built by Accubuilt, Inc. because of a potential fire hazard.

Some of the hearses, sold under the brand names of Superior, Sayers and Scoville, Eureka and Miller-Meteor have a faulty fuel neck assembly that could leak gasoline resulting in a fire under the hearse.

NHTSA warns that there is a potential for fuel leakage while refueling and inadequate protection from the possibility of gasoline leaking while the hearse is moving also leading to a potential fire.

Dealers will replace the fuel tank in the hearses when the recall gets underway.

August 29, 2007
NHTSA is recalling 20,594 Buick Rendezvous, Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Aztec and Montana, all from the 2002 to 2004 model years because the fuel tank check valve may fracture.

The fracture could allow fuel to accumulate on the side of fuel tank and presents a fire danger, according to NHTSA.

Dealers will replace the fuel tank when the recall begins. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-608-8080, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

The spinach bags -- all carrying the "Metz Fresh" brand -- bearing the tracking codes 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314 were recalled and the company encouraged consumers to throw the spinach away or return the items to the store for a refund. Customers can call (831) 386-1018 for more information.

The FDA said it was working with Metz Fresh to determine which states received shipments of the recalled spinach.

Metz opted to institute a spinach recall on all of spinach that was bagged on the day that salmonella was discovered, although it said that salmonella was only discovered on only one of the three packing lines.

Concerns about the safety of California produce have been high since E. coli-tainted bagged spinach killed three people and sickened more than 200 last year.

This year, a widespread outbreak of salmonella from peanut butter made more than 600 people sick. The deaths of at least four elderly persons were unofficially blamed on the peanut butter. More recently, pet food products imported from China have been linked to the deaths of hundreds of animals in the United States.

Earlier this month, canned green beans were recalled after a botulism scare.

Metz said it had received no reports of illness associated with the spinach and was instituting the recall as a precaution.

According to Andrew Cumming, president of Metz Fresh, Nothing is more important to Metz Fresh than the safety of our customers, period.

Salmonella

Food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses, estimated to afflict from 2 to 4 million Americans annually.

The disease is widespread in animals, especially in poultry and swine. Environmental sources of the organism include water, soil, insects, factory surfaces, kitchen surfaces, animal feces, raw meats, raw poultry, and raw seafoods, to name only a few

Acute symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, minal diarrhea, fever, and headache. Arthritic symptoms may follow 3-4 weeks after the onset of acute symptoms.

More about salmonella ...

August 29, 2007
Paramount Apparel International is recalling youth hats sold at Bass Pro shops. The hat has a drawstring, posing a strangulation hazard to young children.

The hat is a nylon bucket-shaped hat with mesh sides. There are nylon fabric strips on the side of the hat that snap up. The front of the hat has a zipper pocket with a silver boat-anchor applique with embroidered text below. The hat adjusts with a bungee drawstring sewn in the crown of the hat. A label sewn into the back inside of the hat reads 'Bass Pro Shops.'

The hats were sold exclusively at Bass Pro Shops retail stores nationwide from February 2007 through June 2007 for about $8.

They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the recalled hats immediately and contact Paramount Apparel to receive a refund or replacement item.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Paramount Apparel toll-free at (800) 255-4287 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.paramountapparel.com.

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

August 29, 2007
Oregon Scientific is recalling about 66,000 weather radios because they may fail to receive National Weather Service alert signals in certain areas of the country. In the event of severe weather, this failure could put a consumer's life and property at risk.

This recall involves the following Weather Radios and Weather Stations:

No other models are included in this recall.

The radios were sold at retail stores nationwide, including some electronics and sporting goods stores, online retailers and in catalogs from December 2005 through June 2007 for between $30 and $150.

They were made in China.

Consumers should not rely on the recalled weather radios to receive emergency information. Consumers should contact Oregon Scientific for instructions on returning the radio to receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Oregon Scientific at (800) 203-4921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www2.oregonscientific.com.

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

August 29, 2007
M&J Engineering is recalling about 1,500 swivels for scuba masks.

The swivel, which is attached to a diving mask, could separate while diving. This will result in a sudden loss of the diver's air supply, causing the diver to engage in emergency ascent. This poses a risk of decompression sickness due to rapid ascent or drowning.

M&J Engineering has received one report of swivels separating from the masks while diving. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves all SW-3000 2nd stage 360-degree swivels for scuba diving masks manufactured between January 2004 and February 2005. The swivel has the date stamped on its body, below the patent number. Swivels that are already repaired have an arrow stamped on the top right corner of the swivel body.

The swivels were sold at diving retail stores nationwide between January 2004 and February 2005 for about $60.

Consumers should immediately stop using the scuba diving masks with the swivel attached and contact M&J Engineering to receive a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact M&J Engineering toll-free at (888) 794-8351 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, or visit the company's Web site at www.mj-engineering.com.

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

August 27, 2007
Another Chinese-made product marketed for children is being recalled because it contains lead paint.

Jo-Ann Stores of Hudson, Ohio, today recalled approximately 6,000 "Robbie Ducky" Kids Watering Cans.

The company learned the beaks of the watering cans contain lead paint, which violates federal laws.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. The CPSC, however, has not received any reports of injuries linked to this product.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores nationwide sold the yellow watering cans from February-August 2007 for about $10. The recalled cans have orange beaks and are about 10 inches high by 6 inches wide. The words "Robbie Ducky Garden Collection Duck Watering Can" are printed on a sticker on the bottom of the cans.

The company said consumers should immediately take the cans away from children and return them to any Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store for a full refund.

For more information, consumers can contact Jo-Ann Stores Inc. at (888) 739-4120 ext. 7 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email the company at guest.services@jo-annstores.com, or visit its Web site at www.joann.com.

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

August 15, 2007
International Home Fashions and Bilt-Safe Technologies are recalling about 37,000 Classic Beautyrest electric blanket throws. Bunching, folding or tucking of these electric throws can cause them to overheat, resulting in smoldering, melting, fire and burn hazards.

Bilt-Safe has received 38 reports of the throws overheating, including at least 15 reports of fires and four reports of consumers suffering blistering or minor burns to the hand, leg and back.

This recall involves 52-inch by 62-inch electric warming throws. The 100% acrylic throws were sold in various colors and patterns and have model number BST-06-THR. The model number is located on the care label sewn into the throw.

Classic Beautyrest and Automatic Electric Warming Throw is printed on the products packaging. Model numbers with the following date codes are included in this recall: B00106 through B36506. Bilt-Safe Technologies, Inc. and the date code are printed on the bottom of the care label.

The throws were sold at Kmart, the Fingerhut catalogs and the LTD Commodities LLC Web site from August 2006 through February 2007 for about $30. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the electric throws and contact International Home Fashions for information on where to return a portion of the power cord to receive two replacement (non-electric) throws. Consumers should not return the throws to the retailer where purchased.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact International Home Fashions at (800) 905-0799 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firms Web site at www.intlhomefash.com.

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

August 3, 2007
Trane is recalling about 135,000 of its CleanEffects and American Standard AccuClean air filtration systems. Electrical arcing inside the collection cells can cause the collection cell material to overheat or ignite, posing a fire hazard.

The recall involves whole-house air filtration units that were installed with consumers air handlers or furnaces. They were sold as the Trane CleanEffects and the American Standard AccuClean systems. The recall involves air filtration systems with serial numbers prior to 7222***** and includes:

CleanEffects models

TFD145ALFR000A TFD14DALFR000A TFD215ALAH000A
TFD175ALFR000A TFD17DALFR000A TFD235ALAH000A
TFD210ALFR000A TFD21DALFR000A TFD260ALAH000A
TFD245ALFR000A TFD24DALFR000A

AccuClean models

AFD145ALFR000A AFD14DALFR000A AFD215ALAH000A
AFD175ALFR000A AFD17DALFR000A AFD235ALAH000A
AFD210ALFR000A AFD21DALFR000A AFD260ALAH000A
AFD245ALFR000A

The serial and model numbers are located on the inside of the door of the air cleaning units. Models with other serial numbers; models installed as an integrated part of the air handler or furnace; and models with the Perfect Fit upgrade are not subject to this recall.

The units were sold by Trane and American Standard independent dealers nationwide from December 2005 through June 2007 for about $1,400 (installed).

They were made in the United States.

Consumers with an air handler unit should stop using the recalled systems immediately. To turn off the system, push and hold the round power button on the front of the air cleaner door for about three seconds until the LED panel illuminates. Release the power button. The LED panel will remain lit for about 15 seconds and then go out. Affected consumers will be notified directly about receiving a free replacement collection cell.

Consumer Contact: Contact Trane toll-free at (888) 556-0125 between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit www.trane.com (for CleanEffects owners) or www.americanstandardair.com (for AccuClean owners).

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

August 3, 2007
Lowe's is recalling about 140,000 sets of Basic Blindz window blinds. The window blinds have a pull cord that is looped, posing a strangulation hazard to young children.

This recall involves two-inch Natural Faux Wood Plantation Blinds sold under the Basic Blindz brand. The blinds have a yellow steel top rail, also called the head rail, a cord tilter on the left side (to tilt the slats open or closed), and a double pull cord that meets at a cord connector and ends in a single cord on the right side (to raise and lower the blinds). Stickers inside the top rail state: Springs Window Fashion LLC, Middleton, WI 53562, Made in China, and Manufacturing Date Code. Blinds with manufacturing date codes JX, JY, JZ, KO, KP, KQ, KR, KS, and KT are included in the recall.

The blinds were sold at Lowes stores from March 2007 through July 2007 for between $24 and $40.

They were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled window blinds and contact Springs Window Fashions to receive a free retrofit kit.

The following item numbers are located on the window blinds packaging.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Springs Window Fashions toll-free at (866) 305-8652 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the companys Web site at www.springswindowfashions.com

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

August 3, 2007
The Sherwin-Williams Co. is recalling about 3,000 of its Hi-Heat aerosol coating cans and warning consumers not to handle them.

The aerosol cans can over-pressurize and explode, posing a risk of injury to consumers.

Sherwin-Williams has received one report of a consumer who suffered serious facial injuries including a broken jaw, broken teeth and nose, split lip, and a shattered eye socket when a can exploded.

The recall involves Thermo-Tec Hi-Heat aerosol coating used to color and protect Thermo-Tec automotive exhaust wrap. The part number (#12002) is printed above the UPC, and the date code (#B1815) is written on the bottom of the can. The 11-ounce aerosol can is mostly blue with orange and yellow flames and has an aluminum-colored cap. The can states HI-HEAT COATING 2000F in large white letters on the front of the can.

The cans were sold at automotive supply stores, repair shops, and parts suppliers nationwide from August 2005 through June 2007 for about $20. They were made in the United States.

Consumers should not handle the cans and should contact Sherwin-Williams immediately. A representative will be dispatched within 48 hours to safely collect the recalled cans. Consumers will be sent a $15.00 check for each recalled can that is collected.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Sherwin-Williams at (800) 523-9299 between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. CT Saturday, or visit the firms Web site at www.sherwin-williams.com.

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