Furniture

Explosion/Projectiles; Poisoning

Strangulation

Fall

Entrapment

Explosion/Projectiles

April 9, 1991 Release # 91-057 Check Your Woods Wire Plug-In Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter WASHINGTON, DC - Woods Wire Products, Inc. of Carmel, IN, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is urging consumers to check their Woods Wire Model #1651, plug-in ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) before each use to assure that they are working properly. The Woods Wire GFCI model #1651 was sold nationwide. GFCIs are devices that provide a degree of protection against electric shocks. They can be permanently installed as part of an electric circuit in a house, or consumers can purchase portable GFCIs that plug into an electric socket. Although no device can provide complete protection against the hazard of electric shock, a GFCI can provide a degree of protection by shutting off the electricity in a circuit if it detects a current leakage. Both the CPSC and Woods Wire Products urge consumers to purchase and use GFCIs. Woods Wire Products is aware of two instances in which Model #1651, Plug-In Woods Wire Guardian brand GFCI, custom manufactured and labeled by Goldstar Electric Machinery Co., Ltd., failed to operate. There were no injuries. While failure to operate does not in and of itself present a hazard, the consumer does not have the electric shock protection provided by a functioning GFCI if there is a leakage of electrical current in the circuit. Consumers are urged to check their GFCI by pressing the test button before each use. If the GFCI fails to operate as intended when the test button is depressed, consumers should immediately discontinue using the GFCI and replace it. The instructions for testing the GFCI are permanently affixed on the face of the product. It is the policy of Woods Wire Products, Inc., to replace non- functioning GFCIs. For further information, consumers can contact Woods Wire Products at 1-800-447-4364 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Monday through Friday). 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 product safety. Some 15,000 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

Decorator Cube Safety Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Firm out of business. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Originally issued March 27, 1991; Revised July 10, 2001 (301) 504-7908 Release # 91-054 Decorator Cube Safety Warning WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Seward Luggage Company of Petersburg, VA; Trojan Luggage of Memphis, TN; and Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Co. of Jacksonville, FL, today, issued a warning about a strangulation and suffocation hazard when decorator cubes with hinged lids manufactured prior to June 30, 1990 are used to store toys or children's belongings. These cubes, distributed nationwide during the past 2 1/2 years, are 16" X 16" X 16" cubed-shaped trunks with hinged lids decorated with various scenes and motifs. Decorator cubes manufactured after June 30, 1990 have removable lids. The decorator cubes may be appropriately used for storage and as a home furnishing. The cubes may present a strangulation hazard if the lid falls on the neck of a young child who is reaching into the trunk for a toy or other item. CPSC believes young children under the age of six years are at the greatest risk of injury. It was reported that a 14-month-old child died when a cube's lid allegedly fell on him. In addition, a young child could climb into a cube, become trapped inside and suffocate if the lid shuts. Approximately 2.2 million cubes have been distributed nationally by the three firms between 1987 and June 30, 1990. To prevent the possibility of strangulation or suffocation: Owners should remove the metal pin (used to hold the hinge together) from each of the two hinges, thereby making the lid removable. Owners of cubes who choose not to remove lids will be supplied with lid spacer clamps that will prevent the lid from slamming shut and a warning label to remind users of the potential hazards. Consumers should call 1-800-766-9417 to obtain free, easily installed spacer clamps, a warning label and further information if necessary, on the removal of the hinge pin. However, one of the firms, Seward Luggage Company, is out of business, so if the spacer clamps cannot be obtained for that firm's product, either remove the metal pin as described above, or discard or destroy the product.

March 20, 1991 Release # 91-050 CPSC Warns Consumers: Stop Using Certain Concept 'N' Motion Leg Toner Exercisers WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using Concept 'N' Motion Leg Toner Exercise Machines that have not been retrofitted with protective boots around the base of the machine's pedals. Without boots, these machines may present a risk of crushing the user's foot. These machines are cabinet-style electrically operated exercisers that were sold to commercial health clubs for approximately $300.00 each. The user lies on the machine's padded bed with legs elevated and feet buckled loosely into foot pedals. The Commission investigated one case based on a Freedom of Information Request in which a 28-year-old woman suffered a crushing injury to the back of her foot when her foot fell off the machine's pedal during use and became entrapped in moving gears. The Commission believes that on approximately the first 30 of these Leg Toners manufactured in 1986, an unguarded opening around the base of the foot pedal allows access to moving parts inside the cabinet. Although the manufacturer, which is no longer in business, attempted to retrofit these machines with a protective boot around the base of the pedals, a Commission investigation found that not all of the 30 affected units were retrofitted. Owners of these exercise machines should stop using them if they are not equipped with the protective boot. The CPSC is announcing this warning as a part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for consumer product safety

Choking

Choking

CONTACT: August 21, 1990 (301) 504-7908 Release # 90-146 Certain Virco Stack Chairs May Collapse WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Virco Mfg. Corporation of Los Angeles, CA, today voluntarily announced a recall of its 890 Series upholstered stack chairs manufactured between June 29, 1989 and May 3, 1990. These chairs are being recalled because of possible structural flaws in the frames that may cause the legs to collapse. Virco informed the CPSC that a design change in June 1989 resulted in the distribution of approximately 535,000 chairs that may bend excessively during use causing the user to fall to the floor. The firm is aware of 30 incidents of chair leg failure. At least two incidents resulted in personal injuries, one of which was a knee injury. Chairs involved in the recall have square tubular metal frames with upholstered seats and backs. They are used in homes, restaurants, business offices, churches and other institutions. Virco will replace all defective chair frames with new, redesigned frames from the factory. To determine whether a particular frame is subject to recall, consumers and institutions should contact either the company from which it was purchased, or call the Virco Mfg. Corp. at 1-800-44VIRCO. The firm will provide literature with drawings and other specific information to aid in identification

Choking

Choking

Choking