Introduction

Every month, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues product recall lists to help protect the public from allegedly unsafe products. Frequently, further testing must be completed or design changes made before some of the products can be sold again. Most companies agree to “voluntarily” recall their products. However, when it’s necessary, the government can step in and prevents further sales until the products are properly recalled, modified and able to meet all required standards.

In January of 2009, a number of new products were recalled. The following short list contains a sampling of them. (You can review the entire list at the following link): http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljan09.html

• L.L. Bean Inc. of Maine voluntarily recalled approximately 7,000 of its Stabilicer Lite Cleats. There have been complaints that these attachable cleats can unexpectedly detach, subjecting wearers to sudden falls.
• JAKKS Pacific Inc., of Malibu, California, was asked to recall its Spa Factory Aromatherapy Kits because they might cause explosions or flying projectiles that might harm users. These problems are apparently linked to carbon dioxide pressure that can build up in the jars of Bath Bombs/Balls or Bath Fizzies. Injuries can allegedly occur when the jar caps blow off due to internal pressure. There are further concerns about the citric acid in the products that might harm people’s eyes during explosions.
• Milestone AV Technologies, of Savage, Minnesota, voluntarily recalled about 140,000 LCD television wall mounts. Apparently, these wall mounts can crack when TVs 26 inches or larger are attached to them. Likewise, this cracking may occur when certain combination TVs and DVD players are attached to these wall mounts. Anyone standing or sitting underneath the wall mounts might be harmed when they crack or break.

January 2009: Product Recalls Related to Excessive Lead Content Concerns

A large percentage of the January recalls were due to allegations of excessive lead content in various products and jewelry.

• DDI Inc., of Iowa voluntarily recalled close to 3,000 construction play sets since their surface paint may contain lead.
• Fantas-Eyes Inc., of New York, New York, was asked to recall about 15,000 High School Musical Manicure Kits. Some of the lettering on the kits may contain too much lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is concerned that children might swallow some of this toxic lead and become very ill.
• Discount School Supply, of Monterey, California, is voluntarily recalling about 500 Jesus Fish Beads. It’s been alleged that the paint on the green fish may harm those who swallow it due to its lead content.
• Spencer Gifts LLC, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, voluntarily recalled about 8,400 Skull-And-Crossbones Necklaces. There are concerns that specific parts of the necklaces contain unsafe levels of lead.
• Axiom International Inc., of Billings, Montana, has voluntarily responded to the CPSC’s request that 5,300 pairs of Children’s Sunglasses be recalled. It’s been alleged that the federal government’s lead paint standard may have been violated in regards to the paint used on these sunglasses.
• TDI International, of Los Angeles, California, has agreed to recall about 150 “High Speed” Pull Back Toy Cars. Once again, there are allegations that the paint used on the cars contains lead.

This second part describes products that may cause: choking, burn and fire hazards. It concludes with a brief overview of the types of additional news items frequently set forth in these monthly reports.

January 2009: Choking, Burn and Fire Hazard Recalls

• Outdoor Research Inc., of Seattle, Washington, is voluntarily recalling about 900 “Primavolta” Warming Gloves. Some consumers have alleged that the heating pads in these gloves can “short circuit and overheat,” possibly causing users to suffer burns. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljan09.html
• Rheem Manufacturing Company’s Air Conditioning Division, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, agreed to recall about 14,000 Rheem, Ruud and United Refrigeration Oil-Fired Furnaces. Some consumers have alleged that if the furnaces aren’t wired properly, users may be exposed to dangerous fire hazards.
• Mad Dog Concepts, of New York, New York, has agreed to recall about 25,000 Tony Hawk Boy’s Pajama Sets. It’s been alleged that this children’s sleepwear may not meet the federal government’s flame retardant guidelines, thereby putting children at risk of burn injuries.
• Infantino LLC, of San Diego, California, has cooperated with the recall of about 131,000 Infantino Lion and Lamb Grabby Rattles™ (Note: Many units were already recalled in March of 2008). Some consumers have claimed that these rattles pose a choking hazard to young children since some of their parts may become detached.
• BSH Home Appliances Corporation, of Huntington Beach, California, has recalled 476,500 Bosch® and Siemens® Model Dishwashers. There are concerns that some of these dishwasher models having electrical components that can overheat, threatening consumers with fire hazards.
• The Land of Nod of Northbrook, Illinois, is voluntarily recalling about 500 Rolling Toy Xylophones. It’s been alleged that some of the xylophone parts can be broken off, creating a possible choking hazard to young children.
• Rashti & Rashti, of New York, New York, has recalled close to 16,000 Taggies™ Sleep’n Play Infant Garments (Note: 6,200 were previously recalled on July 1, 2008). Some consumers are concerned that this clothing’s detachable snaps may pose a choking hazard to small children.

Other Important Recall Warning Categories and Announcements

Readers may also want to review some of the other January Recall entries that address such injuries as: falls, strangulation, shock, product entrapment, lacerations, suffocation, dangerous home heating vent pipes and carbon monoxide hazards tied to winter home heating. Two other January entries addressed a Fisher Price product that may pose a possible fall or entrapment hazard to children and window blinds sold at Cost Plus and World Market stores. The latter items may pose strangulation threats. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljan09.html

These monthly CPSC Recall listings also cover general product safety news, civil penalty fines imposed against certain companies and the names of new CPSC officials. New interpretations of former product guidelines are also sometimes set forth and explained.