Recalls in March 2011

Baja Motorsports is recalling about 4,300 dirt bikes. Fuel can leak from the fuel tank, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

The firm has received six reports of fires from fuel leakage including one report of minor burns to a consumer’s legs.

This recall involves all model DR50 and DR70 Baja dirt bikes with VIN numbers beginning with “L98.” The model number and VIN are located on the product data plate, which is located on the side of the “goose neck” (where the handle bars meet the body of the bike).

The bikes, made in China, were sold at Pep Boys stores nationwide from December 2010 through January 2011 for between $550 and $650.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dirt bikes and contact Baja Motorsports to schedule a free repair.

For additional information, contact Baja Motorsports toll-free at (888) 863-2252 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.bajamotorsports.com

General Motors is recalling selected Buick Lacrosse and Cadillac SRX cars from the 2011 model year because of a problem with the windshield defrosting and defogging systems.

The company said that a software glitch may disable the driver's ability to adjust the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. This could decrease visibility and cause a crash.

Dealers will fix the problem free of charge when the recall begins March 11.

Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Jones Natural Chews Co of Rockford, IL is recalling 2705 boxes of Pig Ears because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Jones Natural Chews Pig Ears were distributed in CT, IA, IL, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NM, NY, PA,VA, WA, and WI. They were shipped to distributors and retailers between September 15, 2010 and November 2, 2010 where they were available for purchase.

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 2pk bag with header card–item upc 741956001047 lot 2420

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 100ct box-box upc 741956001139 lot 2490, 2560, 2630, 2700, 2840, 2910, 2980

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 50 ct box-box upc 741956001504 lot 2490, 2840

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 25ct box-box upc 741956001467 lot 2700

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001146 lot 2700, 2840, 2420

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 10pk printed bag-item upc 741956001405 lot 2420, 2560, 2630, 2840

Blain’s Farm & Fleet Pig Ears 10 pieces bag-item upc 741956001405 lot 2560

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001511 lot 2630

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item upc 741956001146 lot 2420

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 12pk bag-item upc 741956001245 lot 2910

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by Washington State Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has no product left in inventory from this batch of pig ears.

Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-481-2663.

Remedy Teas is recalling about 20 pounds of Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. 

The #137 Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea or #120 Tranquility Herbal Tea were distributed in the RemedyTeas retail store and through mail and internet orders. #137 Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea or #120 Tranquility Herbal Tea is sold measured to customers orders in retail stores and sold in 2 oz pre-packaged pouches by mail order or internet. There are no lot/batch identifying markings on the store or ecommerce packaging.

Retail stock of #137 Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea was sold between January 18, 2011 and March 4, 2011. Retail stock of #120 Tranquility Herbal Tea was sold between February 22, 2011 and March 4, 2011. Any purchases not within those dates are not affected by this recall.

Consumers who have purchased #137 Peppermint Organic Herbal Tea or #120 Tranquility Herbal Tea are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may also contact RemedyTeas Customer Service at 206 323-4832 (M – F from 7.00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M., PST) for instructions on how to return the product.

Milestone AV Technologies is recalling about 2,500 Sanus Elements Surge Protectors. Improper grounding of the case and inadequate insulation for the circuit breaker poses an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

This recall involves all Sanus Elements model ELM205 low-profile power conditioners or surge protectors. SANUS ELEMENTS is printed on the front of the unit and the model number is printed near the UL logo on the back.

Independent home theater dealers sold the units from June 2009 through December 2010 for about $90. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Milestone for a replacement product or refund.

For additional information, contact Milestone toll-free at (877) 894-6280 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Saturday and Sunday, or visit the firm's website at www.milestone.com/recall

Sunjoy Industries is recalling about 20,000 freestanding steel outdoor fireplaces. The decorative bronze powder coat finish on the fireplace chimney can ignite during use, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Sunjoy has received 14 reports of the chimney's decorative powder coat finish catching fire, resulting in one report of melted siding. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves "Garden Treasures Living" steel outdoor fireplaces with a bronze finish chimney and slate colored accents. The wood burning fireplace is approximately 24 inches deep by 35 inches wide and 57 inches tall, has two glass doors and a tile back inside. Item number 0027705 and model number L-OF082PST-3 are printed on the front page of the product's instruction manual. No other "Garden Treasures Living" brand outdoor fireplaces are included in this recall.

Lowe's retail stores sold the fireplaces nationwide from March 2010 through November 2010 for about $300. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the fireplace and contact Sunjoy to obtain a free replacement chimney and chimney cap.

For additional information, contact Sunjoy toll-free at (877) 343-5651 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website atwww.sunjoydirect.com/fireplacerecall.htm. Consumers can also email the firm at fireplacerecall@sunjoydirect.com

Manhattan Group LLC is recalling about 400 Parents Busy Time Activity Centers. Wooden pegs on the xylophone activity can come loose, posing a choking hazard to young children.

CPSC has received one report of a child putting a peg in his mouth. No injuries have been reported.

The Parents Busy Time Activity Centers is a wooden activity center cube-shaped toy that has a multi-colored bead run on the top. Activities on each side include a 4-tone xylophone and rasp, butterfly and caterpillar spinners, zig-zag drum, castanets, and pockets with "alligator," "bear," and "cat" pillow characters. Only items with wooden pegs bearing date code 400090GC are involved in this recall. The date code can be found on the bottom of the product packaging near the UPC code and on the tags on the bear character.

The items were sold by specialty and gift stores nationwide and through mail order catalogs and online and in Canada from December 2010 through February 2011 for about $90. They were made in China.

Consumers should take these recalled toys away from young children immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers can also contact Manhattan Group for instructions on receiving a replacement item or a full refund.

For additional information, contact Manhattan Group at (800) 541-1345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.manhattantoy.com

Reading more like an urban legend than a recall notice, Japanese carmaker Mazda said it is recalling 52,000 cars because they might be infested - with spiders!

The carmaker said all 52,000 of the Mazda6 models are in the U.S.

While drivers might expect the recall was promoted by concerns that the creepy crawlers could emerge unexpectedly from the glove box or crawl up a driver's leg on a busy freeway, that's not it at all. The government says it worries the spiders will create nests that could clog vital passageways and eventually cause fuel tanks to spring leaks.

Risk of fire

As the canister is purged repeatedly during normal operation, the stress on the fuel tank may eventually result in a crack, potentially leading to fuel leakage ad an increased risk of fire," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a recall notice.

According to NHTSA, Mazda is recalling 2009 and 2010 Mazda6s because "a certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line," causing a possible restriction. Besides the cars sold in the U.S., another 13,000 cars are being recalled in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Dealers will inspect the recalled cars, checking the canisters for spider webs. If they find them, they will reportedly install a spring that will keep the insects from getting inside the part.

Yellow sac spider?

The recall notice did not specify what type of spider may be potentially infesting the Mazda6, but at least one media report identified it as the Yellow Sac spider. Sac spiders belong to the genus Cheiracanthium and the familyClubionidae, according to the University of Nebraska Extension Service.

“They are quite small and easy to overlook-about 1/4 - 3/8 inch long, with no conspicuous markings. The front legs are longer than the other three pairs. Sac spiders are quite pale. A common house species, the yellow sac spider is pale greenish, tan or straw colored. Other sac spiders are light brown,” the service says on its website.

And yes, they bite. Victims are advised to seek medical treatment.

Mazda is recalling about 52,000 Mazda6 models from the 2009-2010 model years. The company said a “certain type of spider” may build a web iin the evaporative canister vent line, clogging the line. This in turn could eventually cause the fuel tank to leak, leading to fuel leakage and creating a fire hazard.

Mazda did not identify the specific type of spider believe to be responsible for the problem.

Dealers will inspect and clean up the canister vent line and install a spring to discourage spiders from entering. The recall is expected to begin before March 25, 2011.

Customers may contat Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

Chrysler is recalling nearly 250,000 Chrysler and Dodge vans because of an electrical system problem that could cause the engine to shut off without warning. The recalled models include:

Chrysler said the recalled vehicles were made between August 3, 2009 and June 17, 2010.

The problem is that the ignition key may move from the “run” to “accessory” position while the car is in motion, causing the engine to shut off.

Dealers will replace the suspect parts free of charge when the recall begins during April 2011.

Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

AOSOM LLC is recalling about 5,000 wooden playpens because they can break, split and/or crack at points where screws and other hardware are located. Small, broken wood pieces and hardware from the playpen can pose a risk of choking and laceration hazards to children. In addition, an unstable playpen can fall over onto a child, posing an entrapment hazard.

AOSOM has received 69 reports of the wooden playpens breaking, splitting and/or cracking including one report of a child mouthing a piece of the broken wood and three reports of children found with a broken piece of wood and/or screw in their hand. The objects were removed without injury.

This recall involves AOSOM wooden playpens made from pine wood. The firm's logo "A" and "www.AOSOM.com" is stamped on the gate of the playpen. The following four models are included in this recall:

AOSOM.com, Amazon.com, eBay.com and other online retailers sold the playpens from October 2008 through November 2010 for between $30 and $150. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the wooden playpens and contact AOSOM for instructions on how to return the product and receive a full refund.

For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (877) 644-9366 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or e-mail the firm at service@aosom.com. Consumers can also visit the firm's website at www.aosom.com

Pressure from the metal pot holder against the coffee/tea maker can cause the glass to break unexpectedly, posing burn and laceration hazards.

IKEA has received one report in the U.S. of a glass coffee/tea maker breaking. No injury was reported. IKEA has received 19 additional reports, outside of the U.S., of the glass coffee/tea makers breaking, resulting in 12 reports of burn injuries from spilt coffee/tea and one report of a laceration injury.

This recall involves FÖRSTÅ coffee/tea makers sold in sizes 0.4 and 1 liters. The coffee/tea maker is a press pot comprising a handmade clear glass pot, metal holder and black plastic top and handle. Coffee/tea makers included in this recall have supplier number 20325, "IKEA" and "Made in China" etched on the bottom of the metal holder.

IKEA stores sold the items nationwide from January 2010 through December 2010 for between $6 and $10. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the FÖRSTÅ coffee/tea makers and bring it back to any IKEA store for a full refund.

For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.ikea-usa.com

Rhino Toys is recalling about 28,000OBall Links and Mini Rattles sold in the United States and Canada. The hard plastic C-links on both ends of the rattles' soft plastic chain can break, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Rhino Toys has received one report of a broken C-link. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves infant rattles called OBall Links & Mini Rattles. The soft plastic OBall is 2 ½ inches in diameter and has beads inside a small plastic bubble that make the rattle sound. The OBall is attached to a 7 ½ inch soft plastic chain by C-shaped plastic links on both ends. "OBall" is stamped into the top of the plastic chain.

Toys R Us and other specialty toy stores sold the toys nationwide from April 2010 through December 2010 for about $8. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled rattle away from children and contact Rhino Toys to receive a full refund.

For additional information, contact Rhino Toys toll-free at (888) 250-9969 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.rhinotoys.com

Ford is recalling about 24,000 2010 Ford Ranger pickup trucks to fix a fuel line problem.

The company said a fuel line cover may not have been properly installed. Over time, this could cause chafing against the fuel line, possibly resulting in a fuel odor and potential fuel leak, which could cause a fire.

Dealers will inspect the fuel line and, if necessary, replace it free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Ford is recalling several 2011-model Ford and Lincoln cars and trucks to fix a problem with the electrical system.

The recalled models are:

Ford said the recalled models may have defective body control modules that could develop an electrical short. The short could result in overheating, which could cause a fire.

Dealers will inspect the module and, if necessary, replace it free of charge. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Burlington Coat factory is recalling about 7,400 slow cookers. The slow cooker's control panel can overheat and melt, posing a fire hazard.

The manufacturer has received 60 reports of the control panels smoking, melting and sparking, and three reports of panels catching fire. Fourteen incidents resulted in minor damage to countertops. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Bella Kitchen 5-quart programmable slow cookers. The slow cookers are black with "Bella Kitchen" printed on the control panel. Only slow cookers with model number WJ-5000DE and date codes 0907 or 0909 are included in this recall. The model number and the four-digit date code are printed on a label on the underside of the product.

Burlington Coat Factory stores sold the cookers from June 2010 through December 2010 for $20. They were made in China.

Consumers should stop using the slow cooker immediately, unplug it and return the slow cooker to Burlington Coat Factory for a full refund or store credit.

For additional information, contact Burlington Coat Factory toll-free at (888) 223-2628 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com

Lennox is recalling about 3,200 Lennox Shadowdance Natural Gas Log Set Burner Assemblies. A crack can develop at the gas valve connection allowing natural gas to leak while the burner is in use, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Lennox has received 20 reports of cracks at the gas valve connection. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves gas burners sold with Lennox brand Shadowdance natural gas log set burner assemblies. The product is used in a wood-burning fireplace or a ventless firebox enclosure. The assemblies were sold under model numbers LSVFSD-18, LSVFSD-24 and LSVFSD-30, and include a burner and ceramic-fiber log set. Replacement gas burners also were sold separately under model number LSVFSD-NG. Burners included in this recall have serial numbers that begin with 6407, 6408, 6409 and 6410A through 6410G. The burner's model and serial numbers are printed on a metal identification plate attached to the burner.

Fireplace and HVAC retailers and installers sold the assemblies nationwide from August 2007 through December 2010 for between $700 and $850. They were made in the United States.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled natural gas log set burner assemblies. Consumers can contact Lennox to arrange for a free replacement of the burner.

For additional information, please contact Lennox Hearth Products at (800) 299-0027 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at http://www.lennoxhearthproducts.com

About 2,000 Baby Jogger Jump Seats are being recalled. If the Jump Seat does not properly lock into place, the Jump Seat could disengage from the stroller allowing the child to fall out.

Baby Jogger has received four reports of children falling from the seat, including reports of scrapes, bruises, cuts and one broken nose.

This recall includes the Baby Jogger Jump Seat. The Jump Seat is a fabric seat accessory with the name "Baby Jogger" on the front that is attached to the mounting bracket on the frame of a Baby Jogger City Elite, Baby Jogger City Classic or Baby Jogger Summit stroller and allows a toddler and baby to ride together in the same stroller at the same time. The item number is printed on the product packaging.

The joggers were sold by juvenile products stores, mass merchandisers, and department stores nationwide and on the Web from January 2008 through July 2010 for about $100. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Jump Seat and contact Baby Jogger to receive Jump Seat safety straps and assembly instructions.

For additional information, contact Baby Jogger toll-free at (877) 506-2213 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, e-mail the firm at recall@babyjogger.com, or visit the firm's website at www.babyjogger.com

About 79,000 Circo beaded door curtains sold at Target stores are being recalled. Strangulations can occur when a child plays with the beaded strands by wrapping them around their necks or by creating loops in which they can insert their heads. Also, children can get entangled in the strands, which are prone to entangle, just by running through the doorway.

The firm has received three reports of entanglement. In January 2009, a nine-year old girl was entangled while passing through the beads and nearly choked as she continued walking through the curtain. In January 2010, a six-year old girl in Reno, Nev. became entangled in the bead strands as she passed through them and suffered slight lacerations to her neck. In April 2010, a girl became entangled as the beads swung back behind her father who had walked through the beads before her. She was pulled off her feet and momentarily suspended before she regained her footing and she received scratches to her neck.

The Circo pink door curtain is a set of two beaded door curtains, each of which is 12 inches wide and 72 inches long. The warnings on the packaging include: "Not for use in areas with children under 5 years of age. Plastic ornaments may pose strangulation or entanglement hazard. Not for use near cribs or playpens...". The photograph on the packaging shows an installed door curtain at the doorway of a girl's bedroom with pink wall color, child-themed lamp and clock. There is a CAUTION statement included in the installation instructions that states: "Do not tie bottom to form loops."

Target stores sold the curtains nationwide and at target.com from January 2009 through May 2010 for between $13 (at target.com) and $15 in stores. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take down the curtains and contact FAB/Starpoint for a full refund. FAB/Starpoint will provide a postage-free package to consumers to return the door curtain.

For additional information, contact FAB/Starpoint toll-free at (888) 333-2684 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.fabny.com