Our government works hard to carefully regulate product safety. However, some newly marketed and older items may have hidden defects that can’t be detected until they’ve been used for various time periods. In order to better protect the public, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues monthly reports that warn consumers about products now known to pose specific safety risks.

The newest monthly CPSC report, issued in October, sets forth an unusually high number of items posing fall and drowning risks. However, the remainder of the list is quite varied and includes products that can cause lacerations, shocks, choking and lead exposure injuries. Our law firm provides these regular abridged versions of these lists to make it easier for the public to stay on top of these dangers.

Part One of our October 2009 review focuses mainly on products posing fall, burn, fracture, laceration, drowning and water safety hazards.

Part Two of our October 2009 review looks at many other items, including those posing fire, electrocution, shock and lead exposure risks. This second part also notes potentially dangerous products that can cause crashes or choking and strangulation hazards.

Products Posing a Fall Hazard

• White Tiger Traders Co. Ltd, of Taiwan, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 84,000 Folding Directors Chairs (sold at Lowe’s Stores) because the back supports can weaken or break, creating a fall hazard for users.
• Raynor Marketing LTD, of West Hempstead, New York, is cooperating with the CPSC by recalling close to 150,000 Quantum Realspace PRO™ 9000 Series Mid-Back Multifunction Mesh Chairs and Multifunction Mesh Chairs with Headrests. Unfortunately, the seatbacks on the chairs can detach when the fastening bolts loosen, creating a fall risk for users.
• Electra Bicycle Company of Vista, California, has agreed to voluntarily recall close to 6,400 Model Electra Bicycles with Front Trays or Baskets (2009 products). When the front trays or baskets become partially detached, they can make contact with the front tire, putting riders at risk for falls.

Burn, Fracture or Laceration Risks Posed by Products

• Due to the discovery of more injuries, DeVilbiss Air Power Company, of Jackson, Tennessee, is once again announcing the recall of 620,000 of its pressure washers and about 72,000 of its compressors. Consumers can suffer laceration and fracture injuries if the two products’ pneumatic tires with plastic hubs suddenly burst.
• QVC Inc., of West Chester, Pennsylvania, has agreed to recall close to 51,000 Paula Deen® Hammered Cast Iron Cookware units. Under certain conditions, consumers can suffer burns or lacerations when the cookware cracks or shatters.

Products Posing Drowning and Water Safety Hazards

• Halcyon Manufacturing Inc. of High Springs, Florida, is voluntarily recalling close to 20,300 (units of) Halcyon Diving Equipment. If the over pressure valves (OPVs) fail, they can cause the buoyancy compensator devices (BCDs) and other parts to leak. Divers can drown if these events occur.
• SI Tech AB, of Brastad, Sweden, has agreed to recall close to 65,000 Diving Air Hoses for Dry Suits. If the hose’s insert becomes dislodged during a dive, the user’s air flow may become restricted, possibly causing the diver to drown.
• Both the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have asked Undersea Systems International Inc., dba Ocean Technology Systems of Santa Ana, California, to recall close to 900 Guardian Full-Face Masks. When certain types of pressure are applied to the visor clamp, the visor may become dislodged and cause the mask to flood.

Other potentially hazardous products that can cause fires, electrocutions, shocks, crashes, choking, strangulation and lead exposure injuries are covered in Part Two of our review of the October 2009 (CPSC) recall list. (Link to Part Two here: http://www.injury-prevention-blog.com/2009/12/october-2009-recall-review-and-related-news-part-two/)

(Readers interested in reviewing the entire October product recall list should visit the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereloct09.html )