Fisher-Price recall due to risk of mold exposure

Fisher-Price Recalls to Inspect Rock ‘N Play Infant Sleepers Due to Risk of Exposure to Mold.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should immediately inspect this product and stop using it if mold is found. Units currently in retail stores are not included in this recall to inspect.

Name of Product: Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper™

Units: About 800,000 units

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y

Hazard: Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when it remains wet/moist or is infrequently cleaned, posing a risk of exposure to mold to infants sleeping in the product. The CPSC advises that mold has been associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections. Although mold is not present at the time of purchase, mold growth can occur after use of the product.

Incidents/Injuries: Fisher-Price has received 600 reports of mold on the product. Sixteen consumers have reported that their infants have been treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after sleeping in the product.

Description: This recall to inspect includes all Fisher-Price Rock N’ Play infant recliner seats called sleepers. The sleeper is designed for babies up to 25 pounds and is composed of a soft plastic seat held by a metal rocking frame. The product has a removable, fabric cover that is sold in 14 patterns and color palettes.

Sold at: Mass merchandise stores nationwide and online since September 2009 for between $50 and $85. Units currently in retail stores are not affected by this recall to inspect. Only products that show signs of mold after use by consumers are included in this announcement.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately check for mold under the removable seat cushion. Dark brown, gray or black spots can indicate the presence of mold. If mold is found, consumers should immediately stop using the product. Consumers can contact Fisher-Price for cleaning instructions or further assistance. Cleaning and care instructions can also be found at http://www.service.mattel.com or by contacting the firm.

Consumer Contact: Fisher-Price; at (800) 432-5437, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.service.mattel.com for more information.

Baby Seats Recalled for Repair by Bumbo International Due to Fall Hazard

 

Click image to see earlier Consumer Forum column Feb 12th in the BDN

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Bumbo Baby Seats

Units: About 4 million in the U.S. Note: In October 2007, 1 million Bumbo seats were voluntarily recalled to provide additional warnings against use on raised surfaces.

Manufacturer: Bumbo International Trust, of South Africa

Hazard: Babies can maneuver out of or fall from the Bumbo seat, posing a risk of serious injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Bumbo International know of at least 50 incidents after the October 2007 voluntary recall in which babies fell from a Bumbo seat while it was being used on a raised surface. Nineteen of those incidents included reports of skull fractures. CPSC and Bumbo International are aware of an additional 34 post-recall reports of infants who fell out or maneuvered out of a Bumbo seat used on the floor or at an unknown elevation, resulting in injury. Two of these incidents involved reports of skull fractures, while others reported bumps, bruises and other minor injuries.

Description: The bottom of the Bumbo seat is round and flat with a diameter of about 15 inches. It is constructed of a single piece of molded foam and comes in various colors. The seat has leg holes and the seat back wraps completely around the child. On the front of the seat in raised lettering is the word “Bumbo” with the image of an elephant on top. The bottom of the seat has the following words: “Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030.” The back of the seat has several warnings and seats manufactured since 2008 have an additional label on the front of the seat warning against use on raised surfaces.

Sold by: Sears, Target, Toys R Us (including Babies R Us), USA Babies, Walmart, and various other toy and children’s stores nationwide, and various online sellers, from August 2003 through August 2012 for between $30 and $50.

Manufactured in: South Africa

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product until they order and install a free repair kit, which includes: a restraint belt with a warning label, installation instructions, safe use instructions and a new warning sticker. The belt should always be used when a child is placed in the seat. Even with the belt, the seat should never be used on any raised surface. Consumers should also immediately stop using Bumbo seat covers that interfere with the installation and use of the belt. A video demonstrating proper installation of the restraint belt and proper use of the Bumbo seat are available at http://www.recall.BumboUSA.com

Consumer Contact: Order the free repair kit by visiting www.recall.BumboUSA.com or calling (866) 898-4999 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. CT on Friday. Do not return the Bumbo seat to retailers as they will not be able to provide the repair kit.

In response to the initial Consumer Forum column, Bumbo asked for clarification of information presented regarding safety straps.  On February 21 the following appeared:

In last week’s column, I made several points about the Bumbo baby seat with which its manufacturer, Bumbo International, took exception. Three clarifications should help to correct the record.

A Bumbo spokesperson wrote to say that a warning had been placed on the seat, as well as on the box and in printed instructions, before the 2007 voluntary recall; after the recall, a second warning was printed on the front of the seat. This was a reporting error.

I wrote that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was aware of 95 more injuries since the recall and that 50 of those happened while the seat was being used on the floor or when it was not clear where the seat was being used. Bumbo notes this statement confused incident reports with injuries. A CPSC news release says the Commission is aware of a total of 39 injuries. This was also a reporting error.

I also cited a story in USA Today about the possibility of adding a safety strap to the seat. The online version reads, “Asked why it doesn’t redesign the seat with a strap to keep kids from falling out, Bumbo International said Thursday that a safety strap would give parents a ‘false sense of security.’” Bumbo’s spokeswoman wrote to me that “the company has not said that a safety strap ‘would’ give a false sense of security but rather is concerned that any safety device could give the impress (sic) that the seat is safe for uses for which it is not designed,” namely, that it not be used above floor level.

The Bumbo spokeswoman also provided a copy of its statement to USA Today, which concluded, “The safety and health of all children who use the Bumbo seat is the company’s foremost priority.”

Sears Recalls Kenmore® Dehumidifiers Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Kenmore Dehumidifiers

Units: About 795,000

Retailer: Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation, of Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Manufacturer: LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China

Hazard: The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 107 reports of incidents, with more than $7 million in property damage and three reports of smoke inhalation injuries.

Description: This recall involves 35-, 50- and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit, manufactured between 2003 and 2005. The dehumidifiers are made of white plastic and are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide and about 13.5 inches in depth. They have fan and humidity controls on their top front panels and some models include remote controls. They come with front-loading water buckets. The model number can be found on the right side of the interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed. Recalled units have the following model numbers:

35-pint (2004) - 580.54351400

50-pint (2003) - 580.53509300

70-pint (2003) - 580.53701300

70-pint (2004) - 580.54701400

70-pint (2005) - 580.54701500

Sold Exclusively at: Sears and Kmart stores nationwide and Sears.com and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009 for between $140 and $220.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier. In lieu of a gift card, consumers may request a check for the refund amount. All consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Recall Fulfillment Center toll-free at (855) 400-4641 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT Saturday, or visit www.Kenmoredehumidifierrecall.com

 

Children’s Beach Chairs Recalled by Downeast Concepts Due to Laceration Hazard

 

Children’s Beach Chairs Recalled by Downeast Concepts Due to Laceration Hazard.

one of several styles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Folding Beach Chairs

Units: About 15,400

Manufacturer: Downeast Concepts Inc., dba Backyard and Beyond, of Yarmouth, Maine

Hazard: The recalled children’s beach chairs have exposed, sharp metal rivets, posing a laceration hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm is aware of one injury to a 21-month-old girl who fell on the chair’s metal rivets and cut her forehead and had to have stitches.

Description: The recalled children’s folding beach chairs have white aluminum tube frames and pink, yellow, blue or purple fabric seats and chair backs with fish, palm trees or mermaid decorations.The chairs measure 13 inches wide by 18 inches high by 20 inches deep.

Sold at: Home Goods and other stores nationwide from June 2011 through June 2012 for between $13 and $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled beach chairs immediately and return them to Downeast Concepts for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Downeast Concepts at (800) 343-2424 between 8:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.downeastconcepts.com

 

Troxel Recalls Flexible Flyer Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard — CPSC

Troxel Recalls Flexible Flyer Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Flexible Flyer Swing Sets

Units: About 100,500 in the United States and 4,900 in Canada

Manufacturer: The Troxel Company, of Moscow, Tenn.

Hazard: The see saw seats can break away from the bolt fasteners during use, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm received 1,232 reports of see saw seats breaking resulting in thirteen injuries to young children that included bumps, bruises and lacerations.

Description: The Flexible Flyer swing sets come in 11 different models each with a see saw attachment along with swings, bars or a slide

Sold by: Walmart, Toys R Us, Academy and at other specialty stores, and online retailers from December 2011 through May 2012 for between $130 and $280.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the see saws immediately and contact Troxel to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Troxel at (888) 770-7060 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company’s website at 
http://www.regcen.com/flexibleflyer

Toilet tank hazards

Flushmate Recalls Flushmate® III Pressure-Assisted Flushing System Due to Impact and Laceration Hazards.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Flushmate® III Pressure-Assist Flushing System

Units: About 2,330,600 in the U.S. and 9,400 in Canada

Manufacturer: Flushmate, of New Hudson, Mich., a division of Sloan Valve Company

Hazard: The system can burst at or near the vessel weld seam releasing stored pressure. This pressure can lift the tank lid and shatter the tank, posing impact or laceration hazards to consumers and property damage.

Incidents/Injuries: Flushmate has received 304 reports of the product bursting, resulting in property damage and 14 impact or laceration injuries.

Description: This recall is for Series 503 Flushmate® III Pressure Assist flushing systems installed inside toilet tanks. The recalled systems were manufactured from October 1997 to February 2008. The units are rectangular, black, two-piece vessels made of injection molded plastic. The date code/serial number is 16 characters long and is located on the label on the top of the Flushmate III. The first six numerals of the serial number are the date code. The date code range for this recall begins with 101497 (October 14, 1997) and continues through 022908 (February 29, 2008).

Sold at: The Home Depot and Lowe’s stores, distributors and plumbing contractors nationwide for about $108, and sold to toilet manufacturers including American Standard, Crane, Eljer, Gerber, Kohler, Mansfield and St. Thomas.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off the water supply to the recalled Flushmate III unit and stop using the system. Consumers should contact the firm to determine if their Flushmate III serial number is included in the recall and to request a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Flushmate toll-free at (800) 303-5123 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.flushmate.com and 
http://recall.flushmate.com

Black & Decker Coffeemakers Recalled by Applica Consumer Products Due to Injury Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Black & Decker(r) Spacemaker(tm) 12-Cup Programmable Under-the-Cabinet Coffeemakers

Units: About 159,000

Distributor: Applica Consumer Products Inc. of Miramar, Fla.

Hazard: The coffee pot handle can break, causing cuts and burns to the consumer.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 1,276 reports of handles breaking, including 68 reports of burns and/or cuts.

Description: This recall involves Black & Decker(r) brand 12-cup coffeemakers designed to mount under a cabinet. Available in either white or black models, the words “BLACK & DECKER(r) SPACEMAKER(tm)” are printed in the top right-hand corner. The coffeemakers have a digital time display in the top left corner and five round buttons above the water reservoir. The 12-cup coffee pots are glass with a molded handle the same color as the machine and a silver metallic bracket running around the glass near the bottom.

Toy Truck Gifts with Purchase Recalled by Happy Shirts Due to Fire Hazard

Toy Truck Gifts with Purchase Recalled by Happy Shirts Due to Fire Hazard.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Toy truck gifts with boy’s t-shirts

Units: About 9,000

Importer/Distributor: Happy Shirts, of Honolulu, Hawaii

Hazard: Connections in the toy trucks battery compartment can smolder or catch the trucks on fire, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Happy Shirts has received one report of a toy truck catching fire and three reports of toy trucks smoldering when batteries were inserted. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Big Movers Super Car toy trucks that were gifts with the purchase of Big Movers t-shirts. The 4-inch long blue trucks have oversized tires and a flashing light on top and were sold with a yellow, red and blue logo on the hood. The navy t-shirts were sold in boys’ sizes S, M and L.

Sold exclusively at: Kohl’s stores nationwide and http://www.Kohls.com between February 2012 and March 2012 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the toy trucks from children and remove the battery. Consumers can contact Happy Shirts for instructions on returning the truck for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Happy Shirts toll-free at (855) 354-2779 between noon and 8 p.m. PT (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HT) Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at http://www.happyshirts.com

CPSC announces voluntary recall of cabinet locks

Safety 1st Cabinet Locks Recalled Due to Lock Failure; Children Can Gain Unintended Access to Dangerous Items.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Push ‘N Snap Cabinet Locks

Units: About 900,000

Importer: Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) Inc., of Columbus, Ind.

Hazard: Young children can disengage the cabinet locks, allowing access to cabinet contents and posing the risk of injury, due to dangerous or unsafe items.

Incidents/Injuries: DJG has received 200 reports of locks that did not adequately secure the cabinet, including reports of damaged locks. Of the reported incidents, the firm is aware of 140 children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years who were able to disengage the locks and gain access to the cabinet’s contents. In three of the reported incidents, the children who gained access swallowed or handled dishwashing detergent, window cleaner or oven cleaner, and were treated, observed and released from emergency treatment centers.

Description: This recall involves Safety 1st Push ‘N Snap cabinet locks with model numbers 48391 and 48442. The model numbers are printed on the back of the product and on packaging. The locks are used to secure cabinets with two straps that wrap around the knobs or handles on a cabinet door. When the product is in the “lock” position, a green triangle is shown through a window on the device. The Safety 1st logo is embossed on the front of the lock. Locks manufactured between January 2004 and November 2010 are included in the recall. The date of manufacture is embossed on the back. The arrow on the date wheel points to the month and the numbers of either side of arrow represent the year of manufacture.

Sold at: Bed Bath & Beyond, and other retail stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from January 2004 through February 2012 for between $2 and $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the recalled locks from cabinets and contact DJG for a free replacement Push ‘N Snap lock with model numbers HS158 or HS159. When removing the recalled locks, consumers are urged to immediately store dangerous items out of reach of children.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact DJG toll-free at (866) 762-3212 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.djgusa.com

Recall of Tassimo Single-Cup Coffee Makers and Espresso T Discs due to burn hazard

click for FAQ

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, BSH Home Appliances Corporation is voluntarily recalling for repair Bosch-brand Tassimo brewers due to the fact that the plastic disc that holds the coffee or tea can burst and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers using the brewer and onto bystanders, posing a burn hazard. There is no need for you to return your brewer. If you have a brewer that is included in this voluntary recall, we will send you a free replacement T DISC holder that has been designed to help prevent the discharge of hot liquid, coffee grounds or tea leaves from the machine. Consumers should refrain from using their brewer until the new T DISC holder has been installed.