Recalls in January 1970

October 6, 2005
Adjmi Apparel Group is recalling about 61,000 Reebok Childrens Fleece Pullover/Pant Sets. The zipper slider and pull on the fleece pullovers can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Reebok has received two reports from consumers of zipper sliders/pulls that have detached. No injuries have been reported.

Only Reebok fleece pullover/pant sets with navy blue quarter-zip zippers are being recalled. The fleece pullover/pant sets were sold in navy blue/red and navy blue/pink in sizes up to childrens size 7. Reebok is printed across the front of the pullover. The pullovers have a hood that can be folded under the collar. Some of the recalled pullovers were sold with matching mittens. The style numbers were printed on the store tag only and end in: 1816, 2816, 3816, 1816N, 2816N, 1814, 2814, 4814, and 5814.

The sets were sold exclusively at Gordmans, Mervyns, JC Penney, Kohls, The Bon, Fred Meyer, Ross, DDs, Edisons, Macys, AJ Wright, and Reebok Corporate Headquarters retail store in Canton, Mass. from September 2004 through February 2005 for between $17 and $36.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled product away from young children and contact Adjmi to receive a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For more information or to receive instructions on receiving a replacement product, contact Adjmi at (800) 873-5570 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.Reebok.com.

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

March 18, 2005
Gardeners Supply Company is recalling its rope candle and holder. The candle has a clamp (vise) that leads the end of the rope candle at the top. When clamped properly it is supposed to self-extinguish the candle when the burning wick meets the metal clamp (vise).

The clamp (vise) does not always sever the wax close to the wick and does not always enable the wick to self-extinguish. This can lead to the flame continuing down into the coiled section of the candle, which can then ignite and cause fire damage.

Three incidents were reported where the candle continued to burn past the point where it is supposed to self-extinguish. There was some property damage in two incidents; however, no one was hurt.

The Rope Candle is a 21-foot coiled beeswax candle that feeds up to a scissors-like vise. The candle is lit above the vise. The candle is 7-inches tall and sits on an antiqued copper-finish holder.

The candles were sold at Gardeners Supply retail store in Burlington, Vt., and in the Holiday 2004 Gardeners Supply Catalog sold the candles from October 20 through November 12, 2004.

The firm has designed a scissor like attachment that fits on top of the clamp (vise). This cuts the wax from the sides and extinguishes the flame, preventing the candle from burning below the attachment and igniting the entire candle. The firm will either replace the candle with the new fitting, give store credit for the original cost of the rope candle or give a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact the customer service team at Gardeners Supply Co., (800) 876-5520, and at their Web site www.gardeners.com.

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

June 15, 2005
Wal-Mart is recalling about 26,000 Fun Frog Soft Gyms. A cap on the wire supports inside the soft gyms upright arms can detach, allowing the wire to poke through the fabric. This poses a laceration and puncture hazard to babies.

The manufacturer, Infantino, has received four reports of incidents involving the support wire poking through the soft gyms fabric arms. Of the four incidents reported, two involved babies being scratched by the exposed wire.

The recalled Baby Connection Fun Frog Soft Gym is comprised of a multi-colored, frog-shaped padded fabric mat, from which blue and orange support arms extend. The support arms consist of thin steel wire covered by foam and fabric. They can be arched, allowing for three stuffed infant toys to hang above the products mat.

A label with the word Infantino is attached to each of the stuffed toys as well as the underside of the mat. Products sold under item 150-761, Infantino Activity Soft Gym, which have a stamp on the back of the product showing 150-761 Production Date June 2005, are not affected by this recall.

The gyms were sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from October 2004 through May 2005 for about $20.

Consumers should return the recalled soft gyms to their nearest Wal-Mart store to receive a refund.

Consumer Contact: Contact Infantino at (888) 808-3111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the firms Web site at www.infantino.com and click on Product Recalls.

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

February 18, 2005
Target is recalling about 135,000 Merona Womens Sidezip ENA Style Boots. The heel on the boot can detach, causing the consumer to fall.

Target has received 19 complaints of the heels breaking off, including one report of a sprained ankle.

The Merona Womens sidezip boot comes in black or brown with a three-inch heel in sizes 5 1/2 through 11. The style numbers included in this recall are 096-10-1180 through 1190 for the black boots and 096- 10-1200 through 1210 for the brown boots. These numbers appear on the interior zipper liner along with the words, All Man Made Materials, Made in China, Merona and ENA.

The boots were sold at Target stores nationwide and through Targets Web site from July 2004 through January 2005 for about $25.

Consumers should stop wearing the boots immediately and return them to the nearest Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Target at (800) 821-8684 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit Targets Web site at www.target.com.

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

February 16, 2005
Dollar General is recalling about 180,000 dive stick packages. Children can fall or land on these upright dive sticks in shallow water and suffer impalement injuries. Federal safety officials banned pre-weighted dive sticks in 2001.

The dive sticks are hard plastic in the shape of worms, fish, and seahorses.

The worm dive sticks are sticks with ridges that are green with an orange weighted ball or pink with a yellow weighted ball on the bottom. The fish dive sticks are pink and yellow or green and orange. The seahorse dive sticks are yellow with a blue tail or pink with a yellow tail. All of the dive sticks are about 7 inches long.

Made in China is written on the fish and seahorses. Sun and Shade is written on each package. There are two worms per package and three fish or seahorses per package.

The dive sticks were sold at Dollar General stores nationwide from April 2004 through September 2004 for about $1.

Consumers should take these dive sticks away from children immediately and return them to Dollar General stores for a refund, or discard them.

Consumer Contact: Contact Dollar General at (800) 678-9258 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit their Web site at www.dollargeneral.com.

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

By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 6, 2009
Volkswagen is recalling about 5,000 CC vehicles from the 2009 model year because of a possible problem with the right front passenger seat belt buckle wiring harness.

The company said the wires could be damaged by seat movement, causing the passenger's frontal air bag to be deactivated.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiring harness. Owners may contact VW at 1-800-822-8987.

Consumers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or at www.safercar.gov.

February 23, 2005
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening an investigation of seat belt failures on 2001 Ford F-Series full-size pickups, Windstar minivans and other vehicles.

The investigation could lead to the recall of about a million Ford trucks, including hundreds of thousands recently recalled because of a fire hazard in their cruise-control mechanism.

NHTSA cited more than 10,000 warranty claims involving buckles that continued to fail after they were repaired under a 2001 recall.

NHTSA is also probing reported stalling problems in F-Series pickups with six-liter engines. The F-Series trucks are the nation's best-selling vehicle line.

June 22, 2005
Battery-Biz is recalling about 10,000 Hi-Capacity rechargeable notebook computer batteries. An internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Battery-Biz has received six reports of batteries overheating and melting.

The recalled lithium ion, Hi-Capacity brand rechargeable batteries are used with various well-known, brand-name notebook computers. The recalled batteries include those with part numbers B-5301, B-5333, B-5340, B-5341, B-5342, B-5344, B-5345, B-5346, B5461, B-5615, B-5896 or B-5942/LI; the lot numbers 10098, 10198 or 10230; and the date codes listed below. The part number, lot number and date code can be found on the main label, in one of the following combinations:

The batteries were sold through various national and regional resellers, retail stores and online stores from January 2004 through May 2005 for between $70 and $199.

Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Battery-Biz to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their notebook computer, consumers can continue to use the computer with the AC power adapter until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Battery-Biz at (800) 780-6552 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or log on to the Hi-Capacity Web site at www.hi-capacity.com/exchange to check the batterys serial number and apply for a replacement unit.

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

March 31, 2005
DaimlerChrysler AG is recalling some 1.3 million Mercedes-Benz cars worldwide to fix problems with their alternators and batteries.

The company said it will check the voltage regulator in the alternator on six- and eight-cylinder models and replace the regulator if needed.

Mercedes also said it would install battery control software on the E-class and CLS-class models built from January 2002 through January 2005. The company also said the braking system on the E, SL and CLS-class made since June 2001 would be updated.

The company has set up a hot line for European customers at 800-1-777-7777. In the United States, customers can call 1-800-FOR-MERC.

CPSC Warns Consumers About Faulty Extension Cords, Power Strips and Surge Protectors

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 24, 1999 - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about millions of faulty extension cords, power strips and surge protectors that pose a fire, shock and electrocution danger.

Since 1994, CPSC has announced 25 recalls involving 2 million extension cords, power strips and surge protectors because they have undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components or improper grounding. The defects in these products can result in fires or pose a shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.

Most of these substandard cords were sold at discount stores and small retailers for about $1 to $7. Most were made in China. Many have no identifying marks or model numbers. Some have counterfeit Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification labels.

Extension cords, power strips and surge protectors must be able to handle the amount of current required by the appliance. Defective cords fail to meet current industry safety standards and can be overloaded easily if they are used to plug in even small appliances.

"With computers, VCRs, and a growing number of other appliances in our homes, more consumers are using extension cords, power strips and surge protectors," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Many meet current safety standards, but the poorly constructed models recalled in recent years are a hidden fire and electrocution hazard. You should check your home immediately and make sure you aren't using one of these recalled cords."

In 1997, CPSC began an investigation to monitor the extension cords, power strips and surge protectors sold in stores across the country. CPSC investigators inspected products sold through discount stores, mass merchandisers, dollar stores and hardware chains. After collecting suspect samples from 83 locations around the country, investigators found that 72 percent of the samples failed to meet current safety standards. CPSC also worked with U.S. Customs to monitor the extension cords, power strips and surge protectors shipped to U.S. ports. Many of the recent recalls of these cords were the result of this investigation.

In 1996, electrical cords and plugs were involved in about 7,100 fires resulting in 120 deaths or about 32 percent of all deaths associated with residential electrical system fires. In 1997, more than 12,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for electrical burns and shocks and about 2,500 people were treated for injuries associated with extension cords.

CPSC provides these safety tips for consumers:

• Look for a certification label from an independent testing lab such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories ) or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) on the package and on the product itself. Products with this certification label meet current industry safety standards. For extension cords, look for a permanently attached certification label on the cord near the plug. For power strips and surge protectors, inspect the underside of the casing and make certain that it is marked with the manufacturer's name and the testing lab.
• Use electrical cords, power strips and surge protectors that have polarized plugs with one blade slightly wider the other, or grounded three-pronged plugs. These features reduce the risk of electric shock.
• Use special, heavy duty extension cords for high wattage appliances such as air conditioners, portable electric heaters and freezers.
• Extension cords used outside should be specifically designed for such use to guard against shock.
• Insert plugs fully so that no part of the prongs are exposed when the cord is in use.
• Never cover any part of an extension cord with rugs or other objects while it is in use. If the cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which can result in fire.
• Don't overload cords with too many appliances. Change the cord to a higher-rated one or unplug and relocate appliances to other outlets.
• Make sure cords do not dangle from the counter or table tops where they can be pulled down or tripped over.
• If a cord feels hot to the touch, stop using it and throw it away.
• Replace cracked or worn cords.
• Don't use extension cords to compensate for inadequate home wiring. Use extension cords only when necessary and only on a temporary basis.

CPSC is working with U.S. Customs to identify shipments of substandard cords before they reach store shelves. CPSC investigators are continuing to monitor the cords currently being sold in stores. The Commission also is working with Chinese trade officials to stop exports of substandard cords to the United States.

To view recalls on these products issued by CPSC, please go to our search engine and enter one of the following, depending on your interest, in the search box:

• extension cord*
• power strip*
• surge protector*

(The * ensures getting all items, for example, extension cord and extension cords).

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 at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.

December 8, 2009
Evenflo is recalling about 66,000 cake toys sold as part of the Evenflo ExerSaucer 1-2-3 Tea for Me activity centers. The candle flame attached to the top of the cake toy can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Evenflo has received 11 reports of the toy flames detaching. Five of the incidents occurred in the United States and six in Canada. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Evenflo ExerSaucer 1-2-3 Tea for Me activity learning centers. The tea party themed toys have a twotier cake that is light blue, dark pink and yellow. Models included in the recall are 6161834 and 6161920. The model numbers are printed on the packaging and on a label located on the underside of the base of the product. The recommended age for use of this product is 4 months to walking.

The activity centers were sold at Toys R Us and juvenile product stores nationwide from December 2007 through March 2009 for about $70. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately remove the cake toy from the product and contact Evenflo to receive a free replacement toy. The ExerSaucer may continue to be used without the cake toy.

For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firms Web site at safety.evenflo.com.

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

November 19, 2004
Midwest Electric and GE are recalling about 2,700 meter socket load centers manufactured from May through August 6, 2004.

Some of these products were sold with loose internal bolt connections, which could result in excessive heat or fire. Six units have been returned with overheated connections, and one resulted in a fire that was contained to the product. There have been no injuries reported.

The following models are included in this recall: model numbers R256EB1A, R256EB1NA, and R256EB1018A (Midwest) and TSLR1220CSAL (GE). Affected date code range is SAL421 through 432.

The units were distributed by electrical product distributors.

Midwest and GE have begun contacting all consumers, distributors and the utility companies to locate the affected products. They will repair or replace the product at no charge to the consumers

For additional information consumers should call the Recall Hotline (866) 665-4544 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

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

May 10, 2005
General Motors is recalling 305,729 SUVs, including the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, to fix a faulty turn signal that can flash like a hazard warning light.

The recall, mostly covering vehicles sold in the United States, includes the 2003-2004 model year GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada and Isuzu Ascender, which is built at a GM plant.

GM, which had the most recalls in the United States last year, will notify owners and ask them to take their SUVs to a dealership in August, after replacement parts become available.

Last month, GM recalled more than 2 million vehicles to fix a variety of potential safety defects, the latest setback for the automaker following its $1.1 billion loss in the first quarter.

July 4, 2005
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened defect investigations into the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2001 Acura MDX. NHTSA is looking into alleged problems with the cooling fan in the Grand Cherokee after four owners claimed that pieces of the broken fan blade cut through a plastic casing around it.

The investigation involves approximately 132,000 Grand Cherokees with 4.0-liter engines.

NHTSA reported it is also looking into complaints of front coil springs breaking in the Acura MDX and rubbing on the tire.

There are no reported injuries or crashes associated witih either problem.

August 19, 2005
West Bend Housewares is recalling about 14,000 10-Cup Coffeemaker Carafes and Replacement Carafes/ The carafe handle can unexpectedly loosen or break, resulting in the carafe falling. This can cause burn injuries from hot coffee or lacerations from broken glass.

West Bend Housewares has received 194 reports of the handles breaking, including three reports of consumers receiving burns to their hands and arms.

The carafe is a 10-cup capacity glass pot with a black, plastic handle. It is used with the West Bend Housewares 10-cup Automatic Coffeemaker (item # 56870). The 10-cup replacement carafe was sold separately (item # 5815). There is a four-digit date code printed on the bottom of the coffeemaker. Date codes beginning with 04 are included in this recall.

The items were sold at AAFES, Dillards, Bi-Mart and retail stores that sell housewares from July 2004 through July 2005 for about $32. The replacement carafe was sold separately for about $8.

Consumers should stop using the recalled carafes immediately and contact West Bend Housewares to receive a replacement carafe free of charge.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact West Bend Housewares at (800) 874-4084 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firms Web site at www.westbend.com.

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

January 4, 2005
Royal Appliance Co. is recalling about 20,000 Dirt Devil Sweeper Vac models.

The vacuums rotor can lock and overheat during use. causing a smoke and fire hazard. No injuries or incidents have been reported.

The Dirt Devil Sweeper Vac is a battery operated upright vacuum cleaner with Dirt Devil and Sweeper Vac printed on the front. The recall involves vacuum cleaners with the Model Number M083000 with the Plant Code J. The Model Number and Plant Code are printed on a silver plate located on the back of the product. Only vacuum cleaners manufactured in Plant Code J are included in this recall.

The sweepers were sold at retailers nationwide from November 2003 through November 2004 for between $30 and $40.

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Dirt Devil to receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: Call Dirt Devil toll-free at (800) 805-9536 anytime.

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

June 251, 2009

DEWALT is recalling about 9,000 framing nailers, model numers D51825 and D51850.

The bump action trigger on the framing nailers could have been incorrectly assembled during production, which would allow the nailer to eject a fastener unexpectedly or cause the trigger lock-off not to function.

This can pose a serious injury hazard to the user or bystander.

The nailers were sold by holesale distributors and retailers nationwide from January 2008 through September 2008 for about $280. They were made in Mexico.

The recall affects DEWALT framing nailers with model numbers and date codes listed below:

Consumers should immediately stop using the framing nailers and contact DEWALT for instructions on receiving a free replacement bump action trigger.

For additional information, contact DEWALT toll-free at (877) 437-7181 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.DEWALT.com

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

April 25, 2005
General Motors is recalling nearly 1.5 million sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks because of problems with second-row seat belts. GM also announced four other safety recalls, bringing the total to about two million vehicles.

The seat belt recall involves some of GMs top-selling pickup trucks and SUVs, including the model year 2003 to 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Hummer H2, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL and the crew cab versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra.

The company said that occupants of the center position may find it difficult to position the lap belt in such a way to minimize the risk of abdominal and internal organ injury. GM said dealers will repair the safety belts without charge.

GM said there was no National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into the belt's condition and said it isn't aware of any incidents related to the devices.

In the other recalls ...

• More than 330,000 SUVs from the 2000 and 2001 model years are being recalled for possible overheating of fuel-pump wires that could lead to engine stalling or failure to start, a possible fuel leak or inaccurate fuel-level readings. The company said it knows of no crashes or injuries related to the condition.

• About 142,000 pickups with manual transmissions are being recalled for parking-brake friction.

• About 69,000 Buicks are being recalled for a possible bent clip that secures the brake pushrod to the brake-pedal-arm pin. The company said it is aware of one crash, but no injuries, from the bent clip that could result in brake loss.

• GM is also recalling 39,000 Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Azteks for intermittent stalling or failure to start due to faulty ignition relays.

• In addition, GM is conducting a recall for 22,000 Saturn wagons that have a center and passenger-side rear-seat belt anchor that doesn't comply with U.S. and Canadian safety standards.

March 9, 2005
Shaw Industries is recalling about 5,000 square yards of its Southern Breezes wall-to-wall carpet because of a flammability hazard.

Due to a manufacturing error, an uneven application of a latex pre-coat treatment containing a flame retardant was applied to the carpet backing. As a result, the carpet does not meet flammability standards as required under the federal Flammable Fabrics Act. The carpet could ignite, posing a serious risk of burn injuries to consumers.

The recalled wall-to-wall carpet was manufactured by Shaw Industries exclusively for sale by Menard Inc. in its Menards stores. The recalled carpet was sold under the Menard style number 75123 and style name Southern Breezes in the colors Toast, Midnight and Clove.

The carpeting was sold at certain Menards stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin from April 2004 through June 1, 2004 for $0.88 per square foot.

Consumers with recalled carpet should contact Shaw Industries to arrange for free replacement carpeting and installation. The list of stores where the recalled carpeting was sold is attached.

Consumer Contact: Contact Shaw Industries at (800) 441-7429 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Menards stores that sold the recalled carpet:

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