Consumer Products Recalls

Choking

Choking

March 7, 1990 Release # 90-043 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Thermos Company, Freeport, Illinois, is voluntarily replacing a component part in some of its "Thermos" and "Structo" brand gas barbecue grills sold since April 1989. The part is a hose, valve and regulator assembly which might leak gas and possibly result in fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is not aware of any fires caused by defective assemblies placed in "Thermos" or "Structo" grills. Consumers who have purchased Thermos or Structo gas grills since April 1989 should inspect their grills before cooking again. Check for the name of the manufacturer of the hose, valve and regulator assembly which is stamped on the round metal regulator which connects to the liquid propane gas tank. If the name "Taiwan Pao-An Ind. Co." is not stamped on the regulator, no further action is required and the grill may be used for normal operation. If the name stamped on the regulator is "Taiwan Pao- An Ind. Co.," look for the serial number located on either end of the bottom base or inside the side panel of the grill. If the serial number is between 721791 and 886390, the hose, valve and regulator assembly may be defective and the grill should not be used until the assembly is carefully examined. If the serial number is not between these numbers, the grill may be used. Consumers with Thermos or Structo grills bearing serial numbers within the suspect range should call Char-broil, which bought the Thermos grill business, toll-free at 1-800-241-7548, to obtain instructions for determining whether the hose, valve and regulator assembly on their grill is in fact defective and, if it is, instructions on how to retrofit their grill with a new assembly from Thermos. According to Thermos, 87,606 of approximately 675,000 grills shipped since April 1989 contain a hose, valve and regulator that may be defective. Thermos statistical studies indicate that one percent of those 87,606 (877) parts are defective

Choking

CONTACT: February 14, 1990 (301) 504-7908 Release # 90-036 Tots 'N Toys In Cradle Replacement Program WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Uneeda Doll Company, Inc., New York, New York has announced a replacement program for the yellow cradle in the "Tots 'N Toys in Cradle," Model No. 70620. Small parts may break off the yellow cradle resulting in a potential choking hazard. The "Tots 'N Toys in Cradle" consists of a six-inch doll in a seven-inch by 3 3/4-inch cradle. The yellow plastic cradle has one heart on each of the spindles and the inside of one of the rockers is embossed with "UNEEDA DOLL CO., INC., MCMLXXXVII, MADE IN CHINA." Approximately 161,245 "Tots 'N Toys in Cradle," Model No. 70620 were sold nationwide from 1988 to the present for approximately $4.99 each. CPSC discovered this small part violation when a sample was obtained and tested for compliance with safety requirements. CPSC Chairman Jacqueline Jones-Smith said, "Neither CPSC nor Uneeda Doll Company, Inc. is aware of any injuries or complaints associated with this cradle, but this replacement program is being initiated to prevent the possibility of injury." Consumers should immediately take the yellow cradle away from children and return it to Uneeda Doll Company, Inc., 269 37th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11232 or call (718)768-9200 for replacement with a pink cradle which does not present a choking hazard

CONTACT: February 7, 1990 (301) 504-7908 Release # 90-035 Fishing Kit Warning WASHINGTON, DC--FinTek, Inc., Spirit Lake, Iowa in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the New York Attorney General's Office is issuing a warning urging parents not to give their "Tadpole Fishing Kit," Model K401, to children under the age of three because of a potential choking hazard presented by the casting plug contained in the kit. The Tadpole Fishing Kit includes a three foot DuraFlex Spincast Rod with ceramic guides and a black handle, a reel filled with eight-lb. test line, and a black rubber casting plug. Labeling near the base of the silver rod reads "FinTek Tadpole" and "ST330." The Tadpole Fishing Kit was labeled "Baby Angler Ages 1 -5" and distributed nationwide between December 1988 and May 1989. These fishing kits sold for about $12.00 each. Although the firm distributed approximately 9,800 Tadpole Fishing Kits, mainly to sporting goods stores, they have voluntarily recalled the product from retailers. The firm has redesigned the packaging to remove the age labeling. Consumers who have already purchased this item should immediately take the toy away from children under the age of three. The New York Attorney General's Office notified CPSC of the small parts violation with this fishing kit which was age labeled for one to five years. Neither CPSC nor FinTek, Inc. is aware of any injuries associated with these kits. This warning is issued to notify the public of the potential choking hazard if the "Tadpole Fishing Kit" is used by children under the age of three. Consumers who have any questions about this warning may contact FinTek, Inc. at 1-800- 237-5537

Choking

December 14, 1989 Release # 90-023 JA-RU Offers To Replace Parts Of Play To Learn Furniture Set WASHINGTON, D.C.--In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), JA-RU, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida has announced a replacement program for its "Play to Learn" furniture set Model No. 1411. Three components of the set violate CPSC's small parts regulation. The "Play To Learn Furniture Set" consists of two play figures and several furniture components made of plastic. JA-RU, Inc. is offering to replace the plastic lounge chair and two play figures because they are small parts which may present a choking hazard to young children. Neither the company nor CPSC has received any reports of ingestion or injury associated with these components. Approximately 144,000 "Play To Learn Furniture Sets," Model No. 1411 were sold nationwide from January 1987 to the present for $1.59 each. Consumers should remove the original plastic lounge chair and the plastic boy and girl figures from their children immediately and request replacements by contacting JA-RU, Inc. at (904) 733-9311 or write: JA-RU INC., 4030 Phillips Highway, Jacksonville, Florida 32207

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