Consumer Products Recalls

Fall

Choking

February 15, 1996 Release # 96-069 WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Berko Electric of Peru, Ind., is announcing the voluntary repair or replacement of approximately 1.5 million baseboard heaters. Wires inside the heaters may deteriorate, allowing electrical currents to flow to the utside steel air deflector cover. Arcing, or sparking, may occur, burning holes in the cover. As a result, a potential fire hazard exists. In addition, if the heaters are not properly grounded, an electrical shock could exist.Berko, a division of Marley Electric Heating, has received some 200 complaints of deteriorated wires and burned heater covers. To date, only minor property damage has been reported.This repair program affects only Berko heaters sold between January 1980 and March 1987 with model numbers that begin with "MBB," followed by four numbers, and ending in "M" (for example, "MBB2-524-M"). The tan-colored baseboard heaters are permanently installed units measuring two feet (500 watt) to ten feet (2500 watt) in length. The silver Berko identification label, which includes the model number, is located inside the heater on the right side, just below the steel air deflector. The black date code is printed directly on the heater, just to the right of the identifying label (for example, "FEB 22 85")To prevent a fire or electric shock, all of the potentially defective heaters should be repaired or replaced. Consumers who own Berko MBB...M series baseboard heaters should check for discoloration on the steel air deflector cover of the heater. If the cover is discolored, heaters should be disconnected immediately until repaired. Berko will either provide new wire to repair the heaters or provide a substantial discount towards the purchase of new heaters, depending on consumers' preference.Berko will provide free replacement crossover wire rated at 125 degrees centigrade rather than the 105 degree centigrade temperature of the original crossover wire. Detailed instructions for changing the wire will also be provided. Only a qualified electrician should perform the heater repairs. Owners or service providers who want to receive new crossover wires should contact Berko either through their local participating Berko distributor or by calling Berko's customer service center at (800) 545-8306.Owners who choose to replace their heaters can purchase a new model Berko baseboard heater at 60 percent off the retail list price. Consumers who choose this option must remove the silver Berko identification label from the MBB...M series baseboard heater and turn it in at the time of purchase of the equivalent new heater. Owners will obtain a discount on any purchase of the same number of heaters of equal or less physical size and wattage. Owners or service providers who want to purchase new heaters should also contact either their local participating Berko distributor or call (800) 545-8306

Choking

Entrapment

Internal Injury

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

January 16, 1996 Release # 96-059 WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), two furniture manufacturers are warning consumers that some of their children's bedroom furniture may pose a serious tipover hazard. Ridgewood Inc. of Ontario, Canada, and Charleswood Inc. of Wright City, Mo., sold approximately 585,000 chifferobes (combination dresser/wardrobes) and approximately 309,000 four-drawer dressers under the brand name "Cosco Youth Options." These chifferobes and dressers may become unstable and tip over if heavy objects are placed in the top drawers, several drawers are open at the same time, or a child climbs on the unit. Consumers are urged to remove the feet/glides to greatly reduce the risk of tipover. If the furniture tips over, it could fall on a child, causing serious injury such as fractures, internal injuries, or suffocation. Ridgewood and Charleswood have received reports of one chifferobe tipover and 11 dresser tipover incidents. The chifferobe incident and two of the dresser tipovers allegedly involved serious injuries to children.This warning involves Ridgewood and Charleswood Chifferobe Model Numbers 80813 and 88813; and Four-Drawer Dresser Model Numbers 80413 and 88413. The furniture may have been marketed and sold under the name, "Cosco Youth Options." The white laminated chifferobe, measuring approximately 51 inches high, 46 inches long, and 16 inches deep, consists of a closet along the left side of the unit, and two shelves and three drawers on the right side of the unit. The white laminated four-drawer dresser measures 38 inches high, 30 inches long, and 16 inches deep. Both units are sold with rounded, black, plastic feet/glides, measuring 1.5 inches high, which can be attached to the bottom of the furniture. Leading department stores and juvenile furniture stores, including Wal-Mart and Kmart, sold the furniture nationwide since 1991. The chifferobe costs approximately $89 to $109, and the four-drawer dresser costs approximately $79 to $89. The unassembled furniture was packaged in a box labeled in part, "Cosco Youth Options."For more information, consumers should call the companies' hotline at (800) 314-9327

January 16, 1996 Release # 96-060 WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tuesday Morning, Inc., Dallas, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 1,164 wooden cobbler bench toys. The product is a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act because the toy contains balls which measure less than 1.75 inches in diameter. In addition, if the toy is dropped, small pieces of wood may splinter off. The small balls and splinters may present a choking or asphyxiation hazard to children under three years old.The wooden cobbler set, item PO-418, contains a bench, a mallet, and four different color balls. The toys were sold in boxes labeled in part, "POLO TOYS cobbler bench***PO- 418***MADE IN CHINA***Ages 1 to 3 years***." Tuesday Morning stores sold the toy nationwide between October 12, 1995 and December 1, 1995 for about $6.This matter came to CPSC's attention after a consumer complaint. To date, neither Tuesday Morning, Inc. nor CPSC is aware of any injuries involving this toy. The company initiated the recall at CPSC's request.Consumers should immediately take these toys away from children and return the toys to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers can also send the toys to the firm's headquarters at 14621 Inwood Road, Dallas, Texas 75244 for a full refund plus mailing costs. For more information, consumers should call Tuesday Morning, Inc. at (800) 457-0099

Entrapment

Choking