Clothing & Accessories

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August 1, 1991 Release # 91-103 Patriot Missile Launcher Fireworks Recalled Due To Malfunctioning Hazard WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Patriot Fireworks, Inc., Elkton, MD is voluntarily recalling approximately 11,000 Patriot Missile Launcher fireworks devices. The device shoots four flaming balls approximately 200 feet into the air. It may tip over while operating, particularly when placed on an uneven surface, and fire shots horizontally at ground level which pose a hazard to spectators. The CPSC learned of the potential hazard as a result of a report from a retailer of the device and from investigating a death of a three-year-old boy in the State of Kentucky. The young boy allegedly was struck in the head with a ball from a Patriot Missile Launcher which reportedly tipped over while firing. The device consists of four two-inch diameter cardboard tubes approximately 10 inches long, glued vertically onto a seven and one-half inch square particle board base, and encased within a paper wrapping. The paper wrapping is white with red and blue printing and a picture on the front of a Colonial soldier against an American flag encircled by stars. The words "PATRIOT MISSILE LAUNCHER," also appear on the front of the label in large red, white, and blue print. On one side panel, the label reads in part, "PATRIOT Fireworks Elkton, Maryland 21922." The fireworks devices were sold in a variety of retail stores and fireworks stands nationwide from February through mid- July 1991 at a retail price of about $18 to $29 per four-shot device. Consumers are urged not to use these devices and to return them immediately to the store where purchased for a full refund. In the event the device was purchased from a temporary fireworks stand no longer operating, consumers should call Patriot Fireworks collect at 1-301-287-2365 for instructions on disposing of the device and obtaining a refund. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to help reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths that occur each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products within CPSC's jurisdiction

On-Wall Electrical Wiring Component Replacement Campaign NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: February 12, 1991 (301) 504-7908 Release # 91-035 "On-Wall" Electrical Wiring Component Replacement Campaign WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Wiremold Company of West Hartford, CT, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, has voluntarily initiated an inspection and replacement program to find and replace any cracked plastic electrical switchplate and outlet covers for their "On-Wall" series of surface wiring. The wires for this type of product are routed in channels on the surface of a wall as opposed to being located within the wall. Plastic covers for Wiremold receptacles and switches used in conjunction with "On-Wall" wiring should be inspected because covers installed too tightly may crack and break when exposed to some household oil-based products such as insect spray and cooking oils. If such cracking is severe, there is a possibility that the electrical wires may become exposed. Should wiring become exposed, there is a possibility of severe electrical shock if a consumer inadvertently comes in contact with the exposed wiring. This inspection and replacement effort includes plastic covers for duplex receptacles and switches installed primarily in apartments, condominiums and townhouses. The company is also asking consumers to examine plastic covers for receptacles and switches sold for do-it-yourself, "On-Wall" home wiring projects. Some 300,000 plastic components were sold between March 1986 and mid-1989. Wiremold learned of the problem when the City of Glendale, Arizona reported that over 100 plastic switchplate and outlet covers installed in subsidized housing had cracked. Since the Glendale incident, the firm has received two additional individual complaints of cracking. However, there have been no reports of electric shock or injury. The products include duplex receptacle catalog #843G and switch #840 which were sold to wholesalers; and duplex receptacle #NM12 (retail price approximately $7), switch #NM13 (retail price approximately $6), and outlet kit #NM100 (retail price approximately $35) which were sold to retailers for purchase by consumers. The "Wiremold" name and catalog numbers are stamped on the rear of the plastic back plate of the receptacles and inside the cover of the switches. Consumers who purchased these plastic covers manufactured within the last four years, or moved into an apartment, condominium or townhouse since March 1986 that contains them should have the plastic covers inspected for cracks. Consumers without electrical experience should not disassemble the wiring parts for the inspection or for model verification. If cracks have occurred, consumers should call The Wiremold Company collect at 1-203-523-3689 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to make arrangements to have the plastic covers of any cracked units replaced free of charge with improved Wiremold models NM2 or NM3. When the new plastic covers are received, only an electrician or other similarly experienced person should remove and replace the cracked covers. If consumers have any unopened products still in the original packaging, they may be sent to The Wiremold Company, P.O. Box 10639, West Hartford, CT 06110-0639, Attn: Al Blake for a full refund of the purchase price including postage. The CPSC is issuing this warning as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for consumer product safety. Some 15,000 different types of consumer products fall within the Commission's jurisdiction and each year these products are involved in an estimated 30 million injuries and 22,000 deaths.

Choking

April 6, 1989 Release # 89-027 Soft Drink Vending Machines To Be Retrofitted By Vendo WASHINGTON -- The Vendo Company of Fresno, California announced that it has begun implementation of a voluntary retrofit program for Vendo soft drink vending machines in order to prevent serious injury or death to consumers from tip-over of vending machines. The retrofit consists of anti-theft devices (provided by Vendo to soft drink bottling companies) which prevent the dispensing of free products when the machines are tipped or rocked by consumers.In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the company said that the retrofit program extends to approximately 115,000 Vendo soft drink machines with widths in excess of 38.5 inches which were manufactured between 1982 and 1985 without anti-theft devices. Vendo has also provided warning labels designed specifically for the retrofitted machines.CPSC said that within the last several years there have been reports of an increasing number of deaths and injuries involving tip-over of Vendo's vending machines which dispense free products when rocked or tipped. Most accidents are believed to have been the result of people tilting, shaking or rocking the machine in an effort to obtain a free product or the return of their money. CPSC warned consumers that such actions could cause serious injury or death if the machine topples on them.Vendo said it has launched the retrofit program by mailing anti-theft kits and installation instructions to bottling company customers. The public may obtain information about the retrofit program by calling Vendo at (209) 439-1770

December 28, 1988 Release # 88-116 CPSC Wants "Monster" Ride Inspected For Defects Washington, D.C. -- After a preliminary investigation of an amusement park accident that killed one person and injured at least six others at the Broward County, Florida Fair in November 1988, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has asked owners and operators of all "Monster" amusement rides nationwide to undertake immediate metallurgical inspections of the ride to protect the public.According to the Commission, the Hallendale, Florida accident occurred when one of six sweeps of the ride broke, causing four cars at the end of the ride's arm to fall to the ground. The ride was operated by the James Strates Shows of Orlando, Florida and was manufactured by the Eyerly Aircraft Company of Salem, Oregon. Eyerly no lonqer makes amusement rides.CPSC said a 1982 safety bulletin issued by Eyerly Aircraft company emphasized that the sweeps of the "Monster" need to be thoroughly examined visually and with non-destructive test methods to identify cracking of critical structural areas. Such testing methods include magnetic particle technique, ultrasonic measurements, and dye-penetrant inspection. A preliminary investigation indicates that a crack in one of the sweeps may have caused the Florida accident. There was no indication, however, that the crack had been painted over.Although the agency has no jurisdiction over permanent amusement rides, the inspection notice will be supplied to both permanent and mobile "Monster" ride owners. The CPSC said it was sending copies of the inspection plan to all identified "Monster" ride owners in an effort to ensure total ride safety.The Commission staff said it was also asking state amusement ride inspectors to assist in implementing the inspection program. Presently, 32 states regulate amusement rides in one form or another.<br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, Swiss, SunSans-Regular; font-size:small; line-height: normal;" />The Commission's investigation of the Florida accident is continuing. Meanwhile it will monitor inspections by the owners of the rides and take additional action as warranted. Rides similar to the Monster while not affected by this inspection program are also under review by the Commission staff

Internal Injury

Carbon Monoxide (CO)