Recall Round Up

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

1. Reebok International Ltd. Recalls Exercise Cycles Due to Laceration Hazard.

2. Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Recalled by Innovage Due to Fire and Burn Hazards.

3. Cost Plus Recalls Santorini Chairs Due to Fall Hazard.

4. Kids II Recalls Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard.

5. Horseshoe Magnets Recalled by Dowling Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard.

6. Pacific Science Supplies Recalls Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard.

7. Indoor Lighting Fixtures Recalled by Lithonia Lighting Due to Fire Hazard.

8. It’s MY Binky Recalls Personalized Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard.

9. Electra Bicycle Company Recalls Amsterdam Bicycles; Chain Can Derail and Pose Injury Risk to Riders.

10. SunL Group Inc. Recalls Youth ATVs Due To Safety Defects.

11. New Federal Law Mandates Child Resistant Portable Gasoline Containers.

1. Reebok International Ltd. Recalls Exercise Cycles Due to Laceration Hazard.

Product: Reebok Studio Exercise Cycles.

Units: About 20,000.

Manufacturer: Fitness Associates Incorporated (F.A.I.), under license from Reebok International Ltd., of Canton, Mass. Note: F.A.I. is no longer in business.

Hazard: The alloy cranks on the exercise cycles can break during use, posing a laceration and abrasion hazard to users.

Incidents/Injuries: Reebok International Ltd. received five reports of cranks breaking and causing lacerations. Three consumers required stitches.

Description: The Reebok Studio Cycle is an upright exercise bike used primarily in fitness centers and other institutional settings. The recalled bicycle is black with silver cranks. The unit has an internal belt drive. The base of the bicycle is a single piece that is welded to the frame. The legs are two straight horizontal bars with rounded edges. There is a logo located on the side of the exercise cycle that shows a person riding a bicycle.

Sold by: F.A.I. to health clubs and specialty fitness dealers nationwide from 1997 through 2000. The bicycles were not sold directly to consumers.

Manufactured in: United States.

2. Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Recalled by Innovage due to Fire and Burn Hazards.

Product: “Sky Scrambler” and “The Sharper Image” Wireless Indoor Helicopters.

Units: About 685,000.

Importer/Distributor: Innovage LLC, of Foothill Ranch, Calif.

Hazard: The rechargeable lithium ion battery inside the helicopters can overheat, catch fire, and ignite nearby combustibles, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Innovage has received two reports of incidents of the toy helicopters igniting, including one burn injury to a consumer’s fingertip.

Description: The “Sky Scrambler” and “The Sharper Image” toy helicopters have yellow, red or blue decals. BH26047 is printed on the Sky Scrambler’s tail. “The Sharper Image” is printed on the tail of “The Sharper Image” helicopters.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers, department stores, drug stores, and other retail stores nationwide, and on the Web from June 2007 through May 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helicopters and contact Innovage for a full refund.

3. Cost Plus Recalls Santorini Chairs Due to Fall Hazard.

Product: Santorini Chairs.

Units: About 8,600.

Manufacturer: Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, Calif.

Hazard: The seat weld can fail and allow the chair to collapse, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Cost Plus has received reports of four incidents involving weld failure. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Santorini outdoor stacking chairs. The black metal chairs have vertical bars on the back and horizontal bars across the base.

Sold at: Cost Plus and World Market stores nationwide from January 2008 through April 2008 for about $50.

Manufactured in: Taiwan.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs with side weld joints (see below) and return them to any Cost Plus or World Market store for a full refund or exchange. Chairs with rear weld joints (see below) are not included in this recall. To identify if the chair is part of this recall consumers should locate the seat base weld on the underside of the chair. Weld joints located on the sides of the seat are included in this recall.

4. Kids II Recalls Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard.

Product: Bright Starts Ring Rattles.

Units: About 19,000.

Distributor: Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga.

Hazard: The tip of the rattle’s antenna, which is attached to a bee figure, can detach and pose a choking hazard to small children.

Incidents/Injuries: Kids II has received two reports of the tip of the antenna detaching from the rattle, including one report that the purple ball from the tip of the antenna was in the baby’s mouth. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The soft toy rattle is a bee with a yellow head, ring-shaped green body, blue/green wings and purple/red antennas. Model number 8534 and date code PA8 are printed on a sewn-in label on the bee’s head.

Sold at: Toy stores, mass merchandisers, and other retail stores nationwide from January 2008 through June 2008 for about $2-3.

Manufactured in: China.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled rattles away from small children and contact Kids II to receive a free replacement rattle.

5. Horseshoe Magnets Recalled by Dowling Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard.

Product: Classic Horseshoe Magnet.

Units: About 91,500.

Manufacturer: Dowling Magnets, of Sonoma, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic coating on the magnets contains excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Classic Horseshoe Magnets. The 6-inch tall horseshoe magnet has a red plastic coating on the “handle” end. Each “foot” of the magnet has an engraved “S” or and “N.”

Sold at: Specialty retail stores and educational supply distributors nationwide from March 2003 through April 2008 for about $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the classic horseshoe magnets away from children and contact Dowling Magnets to receive a free replacement horseshoe magnet.

6. Pacific Science Supplies Recalls Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard.

Product: U-shaped Magnets, Bar Magnets, Magnet Sets and Magnet Needle Sets.

Units: About 40,000.

Importer: Pacific Science Supplies Inc., of Bensenville, Ill.

Hazard: The paint on the magnets can contain excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: Magnets included in the recall:

“Large” and “Small” U-shaped Magnets: These magnets are in the shape of a “U” or horseshoe. One half of each magnet is painted red and is imprinted with the letter “N”; the other half is painted blue, and is imprinted with the letter “S”.

“Large” and “Miniature” Bar Magnets: These magnets are in the shape of a bar. The magnets are painted half red and half white. The red half is imprinted with the letter “N” and the white half is imprinted with the letter “S”.

Magnet Sets: This set contains a small u-shaped magnet, two small bar magnets, and two small compasses. All magnets are painted half red and half white. The red half is imprinted with the letter “N” and the white half is imprinted with the letter “S”. The package is labeled “Magnets & Compasses.”

Magnet Needle Sets: This set contains 10 sets of small cone-shape bases and elongated-diamond-shaped magnets which can be fastened into the bases. The magnets are painted half red and half white.

Sold through: Distributors nationwide which sell to educational institutions, including colleges, high schools and middle schools. A small number were sold through educational stores nationwide from April 2000 through February 2008 for about $9.

Manufactured in: China.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled magnets and contact the firm to receive a free replacement.

7. Indoor Lighting Fixtures Recalled by Lithonia Lighting Due to Fire Hazard.

Product: Indoor Lighting Fixtures.

Units: About 1,200.

Manufacturer/Distributor: Lithonia Lighting, of Conyers, Ga.

Hazard: A thermal protector could be missing from the lighting fixtures, posing a risk of overheating and fire.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled fixture is a ceiling-mounted downlight. Model number LV3R is included in this recall and is printed on a UL label inside the light’s housing.

Sold at: Electrical distributors and electrical sales representatives nationwide from April 2007 through May 2008 for between $60 and $80.

Manufactured in: United States.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the lighting fixtures and contact Lithonia Lighting to arrange for a free replacement fixture.

8. It’s MY Binky Recalls Personalized Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard.

Product: It’s My Binky’s Personalized Pacifiers.

Units: About 115,000.

Importer: It’s My Binky, of Henderson, Nev.

Hazard: The pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: It’s My Binky has received two reports of the pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled pacifiers have “Japlo” imprinted on the front of the pacifier shield at the bottom, center. The pacifiers were sold in blue, white and pink with various words or designs printed on the button of the pacifier.

Sold at: Nordstrom and baby boutique retail stores nationwide and online at www.itsmybinky.com from February 2006 through June 2008 for between $5 and $6.

Manufactured in: Malaysia.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these pacifiers away from children and return them to the store where purchased or contact the firm if purchased online to receive a free replacement pacifier.

9. Electra Bicycle Company Recalls Amsterdam Bicycles; Chain Can Derail and Pose Injury Risk to Riders.

Product: Amsterdam Bicycles.

Units: About 9,500.

Importer: Electra Bicycle Company, LLC of Vista, Calif.

Hazard: The interior alignment tabs of the bicycle’s chainguard can be pushed against the chain causing it to derail, which poses a risk of injury to riders.

Incidents/Injuries: Electra has received four reports of the chainguard derailing the chain, including one report of minor cuts and abrasion from a fall.

Description: This recall involves some Amsterdam model bicycles in the Classic 3, Original 3, Royal 8, and Sport 3 styles. The bicycles have an enclosed chainguard. “Electra” and “Amsterdam” are printed on the bicycle’s frame and/or chainguard. Bicycles with frame numbers beginning with “F06” or “EL” or bicycles with chainguards marked “06/08” are not included in this recall. The frame number is located on the underside of the bottom bracket.

Sold by: Authorized Electra Bicycle dealers nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $400 and $850.

Manufactured in: Taiwan.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding the recalled bicycle and bring it to an Electra Bicycle dealer for a free inspection and replacement chainguard part.

10. SunL Group Inc. Recalls Youth ATVs Due To Safety Defects.

Product: SLA90 Youth All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

Units: About 144.

Distributor: SunL Group Inc., of Irving, Texas.

Hazard: The youth ATV lacks front brakes, a manual fuel shut-off, and padding to cover the sharp edges on the handlebar assembly. Additionally, the vehicle is sold without a tire pressure gauge or adequate flag pole bracket. The defects could lead to young drivers losing control of the ATVs, which poses the risk of serious injuries or death.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: The recalled SLA90 ATVs are intended for children between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. The recalled SLA90 ATVs were available in the following solid colors: red, blue, yellow, green. The ATVs were available in the following camo colors: pink, brown, green, and blue. The word “Sunl” is on the front side of the ATV.

Sold through: SunL Group dealers nationwide and Web retailers from May 2005 through March 2007 for between $400 and $500.

Manufactured in: China.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these ATVs and contact SunL Group for instructions on how to receive a full refund.

11. New Federal Law Mandates Child Resistant Portable Gasoline Containers.

President George W. Bush signed the Act into law which requires portable gasoline containers manufactured for sale in the U.S. on or after January 17, 2009 to conform to child resistance safety requirements.

Gasoline containers will join containers with other flammable liquids, such as turpentine, charcoal lighter fluid, and torch fuel that are required to have child resistant closures. CPSC has jurisdiction over child resistant product packaging.

“Families who purchase gasoline cans with child resistant gas caps and who keep all flammable liquids out of the sight and reach of children are improving the safety of their homes,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

CPSC recommends these safety tips for consumers.

Buy a gasoline container that is child resistant.

Place a gasoline container in a well ventilated, cool area.

Never store gasoline or other fuel inside the house, in the basement, or near a fuel-burning appliance, open flames, pilot lights, stoves, heaters, electric mowers, or any other sources of ignition.

Never smoke near gasoline.

Never carry gasoline in the trunk of the car. Escaping vapors can easily ignite.

Keep gasoline, kerosene and other fuels out of the reach of children. Never permit children to play with matches or fuel.
CPSC also requires child resistant packaging for many products that are dangerous for children to swallow including over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, household cleaning products including drain openers, personal care products such as baby oil and mouthwash containing ethanol, and adult strength vitamins and supplements with iron. For aspirin and oral prescription medicine, special packaging has saved the lives of about 900 children since the early 1970s.

Source: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.