Consumer Products Recalls

Choking

Choking

Choking

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.

Choking

Choking

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

Choking

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

January 30, 1991 Release # 91-034 Petrus Umbrella Stroller Modification Program WASHINGTON, DC - Petrus Imports, Inc. of Framingham, MA today announced it is voluntarily making available to consumers a free modification kit for approximately 100,000 late model Petrus umbrella strollers. Undertaken in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the modification program involves Petrus stroller models 1000, 1100 and 1101 sold nationally by Service Merchandise, Caldor's, Zayre's and Ames. Model numbers are found on the instruction sheet and on a label on the stroller's rear legs. On some model 1101 strollers, the label on the stroller is partly handwritten and reads "1101/PTR." The model 1100 strollers were distributed between November 1987 and December 1988, while the model 1101 strollers were distributed between May 1988 and August 1989. The model 1000 strollers were distributed between November 1987 and June 1988. The seat belts on these models may not restrain properly, and the tube end plugs may come off on strollers manufactured in Taiwan. (See "Date of Manufacture" label for country of orgin.) When a toddler strapped into the stroller leans too far forward, the child may fall forward and possibly strike his head on the ground or on the front of the stroller. The Commission and the firm are aware of six consumer complaints associated with the restraint system, including three minor injuries to young children. One other complaint concerned a loose tube end plug found in a stroller box which could pose a choking hazard to a young child who places the plug in the mouth. No choking incidents have been reported. Consumers should call Petrus Imports, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-752-7740 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) for a free modification kit. Consumers may also write Petrus Imports, Inc., P.O. Box 967, Framingham, MA 01701, Attn: Ms Stamos. The CPSC is announcing this modification program 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 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

Choking

Choking

Choking

Choking