Recalls in April 2008

The recall applies to the 2004 through 2005 New Beetle and the 2003 through 2005 New Beetle convertibles equipped with a dual stage air bag system.

Federal safety regulators at NHTSA reported that the air bag system many have front crash sensors that contain a faulty circuit board that my crack under high temperature conditions.

The circuit board failure may cause the front air bags to deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury, according to the NHTSA Web site.

NHTSA reported that the failure will cause the air back indicator light to illuminate.

VW dealers will inspect the New Beetle and replace any defective sensor when the recall begins in July.

New Beetle owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

Information leading to the recall came from consumer complaints to NHTSA and early warning data regarding warranty claims and field reports on the crash sensors within the air bag system, according to the agency.

April 22, 2008    
Nashbar Direct Inc. is recalling about 200 Travel Trac Gravity Inertial Trainers. The springs in the resistance trainers can unhook and become a projectile, posing a puncture hazard to users or bystanders.

Nashbar has received three reports of springs releasing from the bike trainers. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled trainers are folding stands that lift and apply resistance to the rear wheel of a standard bike, converting the bike into a stationary trainer. The recall includes Travel Trac Gravity Inertial Trainers (catalog # NB-TTMIF) with a looping black base with two red support arms. Travel Trac is printed in white on the right support arm and Millennium is printed in white on the left arm. Inertial is printed on the top of the right arm in black with a white border.

The resistance unit has a rounded black plastic cover with a soft red elastomer roller. The item number is also printed on the bottom of the last page of the owners manual.

The trainers were sold at Nashbars Web site and catalogs from January 2008 through February 2008 for about $330. They were made in Italy.

Consumers should immediately stop using these bicycle trainers and contact Nashbar to receive a free repair or refund.

For additional information, contact Nashbar at (877) 688-8600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the companys Web site at www.nashbar.com.

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

April 22, 2008
Performance Inc. is recalling about 3,000 Travel Trac Trainers.

The springs in the resistance trainers can unhook and become a projectile, posing a puncture hazard to users or bystanders.

Performance has received three reports of springs releasing from the bike trainers. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled trainers are folding stands that lift and apply resistance to the rear wheel of a standard bike, converting the bike into a stationary trainer. There are three Travel Trac (TT) models included in the recall. The TT Inertial and TT I-Force Wireless use the same stand, with a looping black base and two red bike support arms. Along the right arm is Travel Trac printed in white. Millennium is printed along the left arm of the stand on a vertical white decal.

TT Inertial and I-Force Wireless have black horizontal decals. The TT Millennium I-Force has a collapsible black stand with Travel Trac and I-Force vertical white decals and Inertial in small red letters. The item numbers are printed on the bottom of the last page of the owners manual. The following models are included in the recall:

The items were sold at Performance stores nationwide, and Performances Web site and catalogs from October 2006 through March 2008 for between $330 and $400. They were made in Italy.

Consumers should immediately stop using these bicycle trainers and return the trainers to the local Performance store for a refund, repair or credit. Consumers also can return the trainers directly to Performance for a repair or refund.

For additional information, contact Performance at (800) 727-2433 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the companys Web site at www.performanceinc.com or by e-mail at recall@performanceinc.com

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

April 7, 2008    
Dollar Tree is recalling about 300,000 plush insect toys.They contain small parts, posing a choking hazard to small children.

The recalled plush insect toys come in six designs: Lady Bug, Bumble Bee, Caterpillar, Snail and two Butterflies. The toys measure nine inches to 10 inches in length. The lady bug is black with six legs, a red back with four black dots and orange eyelids. The bumble bee is black and yellow with six legs, sheer white wings and red eyelids. The caterpillar has four sections that are yellow, pink, green and orange with seven legs connected on each side and purple eyelids. The snail is yellow with dark pink eyelids and a two tone brown shell. One butterfly is blue and yellow with sheer purple wings with four orange dots and light pink eyelids. The second butterfly is a two tone pink with blue eyelids and sheer green wings with four yellow dots. The product number is 903995 and UPC is 6 39277 03995 8 with a date code of 71.

They were sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1, and Deal$ stores nationwide from March 2007 through December 2007 for about $1. The toys were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled plush insect toys from children and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Dollar Tree Stores Inc. at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firms Web site at www.dollartree.com.

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

April 3, 2008    
A.O. Smith is recalling natural and propane gas water heaters.

The water heater's flue gas temperatures can exceed safe limits and produce excessive temperatures in the venting unit, posing a fire hazard. Also, the water heater's exhaust can leak into the surrounding room, posing a carbon monoxide hazard.

This recall involves 75 gallon natural and propane gas water heaters. 'A.O. Smith' or 'State' is printed on the side of the unit. A.O. Smith and State model and serial numbers included in this recall are listed in the chart below. Model and serial numbers are printed on the water heater's rating plate.

The units were sold by independent contractors and plumbers nationwide from November 2007 through January 2008 for between $1,000 and $2,500. They were made in the United States.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water heater and contact A.O. Smith to arrange for a free repair.

For additional information, contact A.O. Smith toll-free at (866) 880-4661 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT, or visit the firm's Web site at www.hotwater.com

Toys 'R' Us has received 12 reports of small parts detaching from activity centers. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Imaginarium Multi-Sided and Jungle activity centers. The multi-sided activity center has moveable block letters, clock face, sliding shapes and gears. The jungle activity centers have peg jumping monkeys, sliding fish, abacus beads, bead mazes and other animal-themed activities.

'Imaginarium' and the name of the activity center are printed on the packaging. Item numbers 69042 (multi-sided) and 69083 (jungle) are printed on the back of the box, near the bar code.

The toys were sold at Toys 'R' Us stores nationwide and www.toysrus.com from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $20 and $50. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take the activity centers from children and return the toys to the nearest Toys 'R' Us for a refund or store credit. Consumers can go to www.toysrus.com/safety/safetyFAQ.cfm for more information.

For additional information, contact Toys 'R' Us at (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.toysrus.com.

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

April 1, 2008    
Gecko Alliance is recalling about 1,670 Serenity Spa Hot Tubs. The hot tubs spa control can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Gecko Alliance has received 28 reports of the spa control overheating, including one incident of damage to spa equipment. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Hydropool Serenity Series Spa hot tubs with serial numbers 01350XXXX through 03210XXXX. The serial numbers are printed on the right side of the spa control. The Gecko spa control (SSPA-1) has model number 0202-205097 printed on it.

The units were sold by Hydropool dealers throughout Northeastern United States in Serenity brand spas from January 2002 through December 2004 for between $3,900 to $8,200. They were made in Canada.

Consumers should immediately stop using the hot tubs and reduce the water temperature control to the minimum setting. Consumers should contact Gecko Alliances Back-Pak support center to receive the free retrofit enclosure kit. The kit will be provided with a full set of instructions. Instructions also are available at www.back-pak.com. Consumers should not use their spa until after the retrofit enclosure kit is installed.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Back-Pak support team toll-free at (800) 784 3256 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET or visit www.back-pak.com.

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