The July 2009 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list noted a number of products posing fire, burn and flammability risks. It also referenced items that can cause strangulation or choking. Several other dangerous product categories also made the list.

Fortunately, the U.S. government provides these regular lists to help all of us protect ourselves from products posing serious risks. Our firm suggests that you regularly review these lists to protect your own safety.
Part One of our July 2009 review looks at products that may pose fire, burn and flammability risks. It also notes items that can create shock and drowning hazards. (Readers who would like to review or reread Part One can find it at the following link: Part One).

Part Two of our July 2009 review looks at products that pose choking and strangulation hazards – as well as those that violate the federal government’s lead paint standard. In its general news section, Part Two also notes the recent appointment of a new Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman and the imposition of civil penalties against two manufacturers.

(Readers who’d like to review the full, comprehensive July 2009 CPSC product recall list can visit the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljul09.html )

Products Posing Choking and Strangulation Hazards

• Evenflo Company Inc. of Ohio has agreed to recall about 25,000 Evenflo Switch-A-Roo Telephone Toys. A mirror decal attached to the toy can become loose, creating a possible choking hazard.
• Propac Distributing Corporation of California is voluntarily recalling about 7,000 Youth Hooded Sweatshirts. The hood’s drawstring poses a strangulation hazard to children.
• LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. of California has agreed to recall about 3,700 My Pal Scout Electronic Plush Toy Dogs. Children are at risk of choking if they remove and swallow the decals attached to the paws of the plush toy dogs.
• Brown Shoe Company Inc. of Missouri, along with its affiliate Pagoda International Footwear Ltd. Of Hong Kong, have agreed to recall about 1.4 million pairs of children’s shoes since the decorative wheels can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children. (Note: This follows an earlier recall of the same types of shoes in April 2009).
• Gromex Inc. of New Jersey is voluntarily recalling about 700 Jaloma Pacifiers because their mouth guards and ventilation holes are so small, they cannot meet federal safety standards. Some small children might accidentally choke on the pacifiers.

Products Posing Fall Hazards

• Hobby Lobby Stores of Oklahoma have agreed to recall close to 500 Leather Butterfly Chairs since their legs can suddenly come off, creating a fall risk to consumers.
• Charles David of California is voluntarily recalling about 3,200 pairs of Women’s Sample Shoes. Unfortunately, if the heels detach from the shoes, consumers may suffer harmful falls. (These shoes are sold exclusively at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack).

A Product Containing Excessive Lead

• American Greetings Corp. of Ohio is cooperating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada (HC), by voluntarily recalling about 90,000 United States Sports Balls and 1,900 Canadian DesignWare Sports Balls. The surface coatings on these basketballs contain lead amounts in violation of established lead paint standards.

U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission News

1. New Chairman Named

On June 23, 2009, Ms. Inez Moore Tenenbaum was officially sworn in as the ninth Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. President Obama nominated her back on June 9, 2009. When sworn in, Ms. Tennenbaum noted how honored she felt and added, “I [will be] a consumer advocate for families across the United States. . . My life’s work has been to improve the quality of life for children and it will continue to be my highest priority at CPSC.”

2. Civil Penalties Imposed
3. Haier America

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has imposed a civil penalty of
$587,500 against Haier America Trading LLC, of New York City. This was in
response to allegations that Haier never told the CPSC about a fire hazard and
other problems tied to its Oscillating Tower Far, Model FTM140GG.

4. Nine Companies Penalized for Selling Children’s Products in Violation of Federal Lead Paint Ban

Nine children’s product manufacturers, importers and sellers (not specifically
named in the July recall report) have agreed to pay $500,000 in civil penalties
for violating the federal lead paint ban when they marketed various children’s
toys and other goods. At this time, the CPSC has “provisionally accepted”
these settlements.

We hope these monthly reviews either prevent you from purchasing dangerous products or at least remind you to return any you already own as soon as you see them listed.

If you have been harmed by any of the items recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, we hope you’ll contact our office so we can help you determine whether you should file a lawsuit to collect damages (or financial compensation) for your injuries. We’ve been successfully handling product liability lawsuits for many years.