When surgical implants fail, countless patients may wind up suffering. That type of situation continues to unfold in regards to two of Johnson & Johnson’s products. In August of 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics issued a voluntary recall of its ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System and its ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System.

Johnson & Johnson states on the DePuy Web site that these two product recalls are being carried out so that additional testing and monitoring can take place.  Of course, the most critical problem is that if a surgeon used one or both of these products while operating on you since July of 2003, you may have to undergo additional surgery to correct any harm caused by them.

Information Provided by Johnson & Johnson in its Patients Hip Recall Guide

Johnson & Johnson states that it decided to issue its August of 2010 recall after receiving data from Great Britain, indicating that “a higher number of ASR patients than previously reported to DePuy needed a second surgery, called a revision surgery, earlier than expected.” What’s not clearly referenced are the extremely serious risks posed by revisionary surgery, especially for the elderly and those who decided upon the first surgery due to unusually complicated bodily injuries.

If You’re A Patient Suffering from a Possibly Defective Depuy Hip Implant

All consumers currently worried about their surgeons’ use of Johnson & Johnson’s Depuy ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System and (or) its DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System are advised by the company to seek thorough examinations by their physicians. The company further notes that while it believes that “most patients” will not require additional surgery, it’s already working with affected patients and their doctors, “to address medical costs directly associated with the recall.”

Our Firm’s Advice to You

If you are currently in pain or have other reasons to question the success of your surgeon’s use of these recalled products during your recent DePuy hip replacement surgery, our firm suggests you immediately do two things:  (1) Undergo thorough medical examinations by your surgeon and regular treating physician and (2) Give serious thought to having your case professionally reviewed by a lawyer. You need to make sure that all of your rights are being fully protected. It may be wise to take legal action so that all of your future medical expenses tied to these recalled products won’t become your sole responsibility. After all, these defective implants can lead to many serious conditions, including metalosis. It can complicate or even threaten your life for many years to come.

Demas & Rosenthal offers a free initial consultation to individuals trying to determine if they should take legal action to fully protect their rights.

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Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients for almost twenty years.  Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

The November 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list warns the public about products posing fire, burn, strangulation and other safety risks. Our firm regularly reviews these lists to help you avoid using or purchasing any dangerous products. Always consider reading these articles before making new purchases or accepting used goods from others.

Part Two of our November 2010 recall list review looks at items posing fire, burn and fall risks. This second half of our review also notes items that can create crash and laceration hazards. It ends with some general CPSC news.

Part One of our November 2010 recall product review focuses mainly on items posing choking, strangulation and entrapment hazards. It also describes products that can cause puncture, explosion and shock risks. Part One here

Products Posing Fire and Burn Hazards

• General Wax and Candle Company, of North Hollywood, California, has agreed to recall close to 33,000 Silver and Gold Metallic Taper Candles. The metallic paint on the candles can cause them to ignite, creating a fire risk.
• Katadyn North America Inc., of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is voluntarily recalling products after being asked to do so by both America’s CPSC and Canada’s Health Canada. The company is recalling Camping Stoves and Equipment. About 5,300 of these units are being recalled in the United States and about 2,400 in Canada. Fuel leakage can occur when these products are marketed with damaged fuel lines or O-rings, posing fire risks to consumers.
• J & H International, of Morris Plains, New Jersey, is voluntarily recalling about 36,000 Carafes since they pose burn risks to consumers when their handles come loose and hot liquids spill out.
• American Honda Motor Company, of Torrance, California, has agreed to recall about 6,150 Honda and Mantis Mini Tillers. If any of the fuel tanks’ rubber grommets crack, they can cause fuel to leak out, posing fire risks to consumers.
• Haier America Trading LLC, of New York, New York, is voluntarily recalling close to 67,500 Chest Freezers. A fire hazard can develop in this freezer’s circuitry if its capacitor overheats.

Products Posing Fall Risks and Crash/Laceration Injuries

• Full Speed Ahead, of Woodinville, Washington, is voluntarily recalling about 9,300 Full Speed Ahead BB30 Gossamer Crank Sets sold to numerous bicycle manufacturers. When the fixing bolts in these installed sets are tightened too much on the non-drive crank arms, the bolt shoulders can break, possibly causing the non-drive arms to drop off. Bicycle riders may then fall off their bikes and suffer one or more crash injuries.
• L.L. Bean, of Freeport, Maine, has agreed to recall close to 2,300 Folding Camp Rockers since the plastic “anchors” that attach the seat backs to the frames can break, creating fall hazards for users.
• Club Car, LLC of Augusta, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling about 5,000 Golf cars and hospitality, transport and utility vehicles. When the brake pedals on these vehicles crack and break apart, the drivers are left without any braking power, putting them at risk for crash injuries.
• Sportcraft Ltd., of Budd Lake, New Jersey, has agreed to recall about 3,100 Classic Sport Bounce Pogo Sticks. Unfortunately, the rivets on the stick frames can break, causing some of the support clamps to detach. Once these events take place, the springs can release, creating fall and laceration hazards for users.
• Giant Bicycle Inc., of Newbury Park, California, has agreed to recall close to three-hundred and seventy (370) 2011 Model Year Anthem Giant Bicycles. When these bicycle frames crack at the point where the seat posts and top tubes join, riders may fall off and injure themselves.
• Rollerblade USA, of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, is recalling close to 29,000 pairs of Spark, Spitfire Inline Skates. When the wheel axle and frame axle bolts on these skates start to loosen, riders can fall and injure themselves.

General Consumer Product Safety Commission News and Safety Reminders

1. Be Sure to Review the Proper Way to Use Infant Slings and Wraps Parents are being asked to carefully review all of the instructions they’ve been given on properly using infant slings and wraps. As the CPSC notes, when these carrying devices are used properly, “babywearing” can create excellent bonds between parents and their children.
2. Consumers Will Find More Safe Toys Available This Holiday Season The Consumer Products Safety Commission wants to remind parents that all of the agency’s hard work during recent years has paid off. It should be much easier to find safe toys this holiday season. Nevertheless, it’s always best to look up any products you’re hoping to buy on the CPSC Web site before you start shopping. A brief bit of recalled product research can save consumers countless headaches.
3. The CPSC Will Be Partnering with the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) to present a number of public safety campaigns on the proper usage of pool facilities.
4. Be Sure to Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Batteries if you forgot to do so back in early November when the time changed in some parts of the country.

Since it’s the holiday season, our firm would like to remind everyone to carefully use and display their holiday decorations while also enjoying this special time of the year.

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Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

The November 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list includes a number of products posing choking, suffocation and strangulation risks. Other listed items can create entrapment, shock, explosion, fire, laceration, fall and burn hazards.

These monthly lists help protect consumers by telling them which products are too dangerous to be bought or used. Our law firm recommends that you regularly review these lists before ever making a major purchase or buying anything for a child.

Part One of our November 2010 recall list review focuses mainly on products posing choking, strangulation and entrapment hazards. It also notes items that can cause puncture, explosion and shock injuries.

Part Two of our November 2010 list review looks at many other items, including those posing fire, burn and fall risks. This second part also notes products that can cause laceration and crash injuries.

Products Posing Choking, Strangulation and Entrapment Hazards

• Big Ideas Marketing, of Owings Mills, Md., has agreed to recall close to 8,800 Horse-on-a Stick Toys to repair them since the bridle can loop around a child’s neck and head, possibly causing strangulation.
• Rocking Horse Depot, of Buckeye, Arizona, is voluntarily recalling about 1,200 Rocking Horses for reasons almost identical to the “horse-on-a-stick toy” referenced above. The rocking horse’s reins are so long that if a child gets his or her head caught in them, strangulation may occur.
• Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., of Bassett, Virginia, is recalling about 90,000 Bassettbaby Drop-side Cribs featuring plastic hardware. If the drop-side rail fails to work correctly and becomes partially (or totally) detached, a child can become trapped in the space created between that rail and the crib mattress. A child can also fall out of the crib – or suffer suffocation or strangulation due to that same problem. These cribs can pose other hazards when they’re not correctly assembled or when the parts become worn out due to frequent, long-term usage.
• Britax Child Safety Inc., of Charlotte, N.C. is voluntarily recalling close to

23,000 Chaperone Infant Car Seats. If the harness clip on these seats breaks, a child can suffer a laceration injury or even choke on a part of the clip.

• About 495,000 Roman Shades and 28,500 Roller/Roll-up Blinds are being recalled by Hanover Direct Inc. of Weehawken, New Jersey. (This company is also known as Domestications, The Company Store and Company Kids). Children can accidentally strangle themselves while playing with the cords and loops attached to these shades and blinds.
• VOS Sports Inc., of the City of Industry, California, has agreed with the CPSC to voluntarily recall close to 11,700 (Children’s) Hooded Jackets and Sweatshirts since the hood and waist drawstrings can create entrapment or strangulation hazards for kids.

Puncture/Explosion/Shock Hazards

• Beman, of Salt Lake City, Utah, has agreed to recall close to 11,300 Beman Bone Collector (Bowhunting) Arrows since the arrows can break during use, possibly hitting unexpected targets. Users and bystanders can suffer puncture wounds if hit by such wayward arrows.
• About 1,000 Ski-Doo® Snowmobiles are being voluntarily recalled by BRP US Inc., of Sturtevant, Wisconsin. When the engines are left idling, fuel tank problems may develop that can cause victims either fatal or serious bodily injuries.
• Close to 7,300 Pottery Barn Lamps are being voluntarily recalled by the Pottery Barn of San Francisco, California. If these lamps’ electrical wires become damaged, consumers can suffer electric shocks.
• Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, is recalling close to 20,000 Bosch Hammer Drills since their grounding systems and trigger switches can malfunction and cause shocks to consumers. Furthermore, if these switch triggers get stuck in the “on” position, they can cause additional injuries to consumers.

.Other potentially hazardous products posing fire, burn, fall, crash and laceration injuries are covered in Part Two of our November 2010 recall list review. Part Two also provides some general Consumer Product Safety Commission News.  Part Two here (Readers interested in reviewing the entire November 2010 CPSC product recall list can visit the following link:  http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelnov10.html).

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Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

Four deaths have been blamed on the older model versions of the Quattro Tour and MetroLite strollers made by Graco Children’s Products Inc. of Atlanta.* For this reason, the company is now recalling about two million of those models. The four infant deaths referenced occurred between 2003 and 2005.

In addition to those four deaths, six other infants suffered either cuts, bruises, entrapment or breathing difficulties after being placed in those strollers. The potentially dangerous Quattro Tour strollers were made before November 2006 and the MetroLite strollers were manufactured prior to July 2007.

All Graco 2010 Recalls Prior to The Current One:

In some ways, the year 2010 hasn’t been a particularly good one for Graco Products. The company has had to make the following recalls earlier this year:

• January 2010.  Approximately, 1.5 million strollers had to be recalled due to dangers of finger amputations;
• March 2010. About 1.2 million highchairs had to be recalled due to the possibility that  the chairs might tip over and harm infants;
• April 2010. Close to 217,000 cribs were recalled since infants and small children might suffer strangulation if placed in them.

Exact Model Numbers Being Recalled

Concerned parents and other caregivers may want to review the rather lengthy list of the model numbers affected. By clicking on this link to Graco’s own Web site, you can browse through the list. You can obtain repair kits for these strollers by clicking on this additional Graco Web page. Frequently asked questions concerning these stroller models can be found on this Graco page

Stores That Sold These Strollers

Purchasers of these strollers probably bought them at one of the following stores:  AAFES, Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory, Fred Meyer, Kmart, Meijers, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target and Walmart. A few other stores also sold them. All consumers are reminded to avoid buying any of these strollers that may still be for sale in secondhand stores.

Additional Recall Information

• Consumers can find helpful videos posted on Graco’s Web site that will tell them how to use the repair kits once they arrive.
• Owners do not need to return their strollers to the stores where they bought them. They should just order a repair kit at the link already provided above in this article.
• Consumers who do not have ready access to the Internet or who have questions not addressed on Graco’s Web site can call:  1-877- 828-4046. This phone number can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We hope this information will help you quickly obtain the repair kits you need for these recalled products.

*(Note: Graco Children’s Products is a unit of Newell Rubbermaid).

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Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

Part Two of Two

The September 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list includes warnings about products posing choking, strangulation, laceration and impact injury risks. Other referenced items can cause fire, burn and fall hazards.  Our monthly reviews of these government lists are designed to minimize your chances of purchasing dangerous products. Always try and review these lists before ever making new purchases or accepting used goods from others. Part Two of our September 2010 product recall review looks at items posing fire, burn and fall risks. This second half of our review also includes a brief CPSC news overview regarding recent investigations, statistical reports and assigned penalties. Part One of our September 2010 recall list review focused mainly on products posing choking and strangulation hazards. It also described items that can inflict laceration or impact injuries upon consumers. (Readers interested in reviewing the complete September 2010 CPSC product recall list can visit the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelsep10.html).

Products Posing Fire and Burn Hazards

• Paradigm Electronics, of Ontario, Canada, is voluntarily recalling close to 2,200   Subwoofer Speakers. If these speakers become overheated from lengthy use, they can create a fire risk for consumers.
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, of Los Angeles, California, has agreed to recall close to 1,600 Tea Sets. When these sets are placed in microwave ovens, some of their metallic decorations can cause fires.
• Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., of Irvine, California, is voluntarily recalling about 41,000 Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite ProT130 Notebook Computers (sold around the world). These computers can pose burn hazards to consumers when their “plug-ins” to the AC adapters start to overheat.

Products Posing Fall Risks

• Simms Fishing Products, of Bozeman, Montana, has agreed to recall close to 3,000 Wading Staffs. If the staffs collapse, they can pose fall risks to consumers.
• Kompan Inc., of Tacoma, Washington and BigToys Inc., of Olympia, Washington, are both voluntarily recalling about 700 Swing Sets since some of the joint connections in these sets can break and crack, creating fall hazards for consumers.

General Consumer Product Safety Commission News

• Summer Season 2010 Drowning Statistics for Children

Now that the summer swimming season has come to a close for children now back in school, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Home Safety Council (HSC) are releasing statistical information on how many children drowned this past summer. (See: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10332.html).

• Civil Penalty Assessed Regarding Drawstrings on Children’s Sweatshirts

Pro-Pac Distributing Corporation, of Gardena, California, has agreed to pay a $125, 000 civil penalty settlement for failing to abide by the federal law which     requires companies to immediately notify the government after importing   children’s hooded sweatshirts featuring drawstrings at the neck.

• Diaper Rash Allegations Involving Pampers Still Under Investigation

As of early September 2010, the CPSC and Health Canada (HC) have not discovered any specific causes in the consumer incident reports they have studied             linking Pampers Dry Max Diapers and diaper rash. (See: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10331.html ).

Our firm hopes that these monthly CPSC product recall reviews and brief news updates will help readers better protect themselves from being harmed by the many dangerous products that keep finding their way to the marketplace.

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

Who would have thought that at this point in history, we would still have to deal with product recalls for baby cribs. And yet, it has happened with more than 2 million cribs, most of which are drop side models, being recalled.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission or the CPSC described the problem as “suffocation and strangulation” risks. Therefore, before you buy a drop side baby crib, here are some of the things you need to know.

• You can request for a free immobilization kit for drop side cribs from the manufacturer of the brand of your choice. It is not give automatically when you buy, so make sure the brand you are planning to get has that option.

• The CPSC is working hard to stop drop side cribs from being made and sold because of the potential risks involved, especially since there are other crib options.

• For the record, around 32 babies have died from accidents due to a drop side crib. This figure was released way based on incidents starting in 2000, so it is not an accurate number.

• The risks in a drop side baby crib are:
  • Strangulation
  • Suffocation
  • Getting trapped between two objects like the crib and the mattress
  • If the drop side is made of plastic, it will be subject to easy wear and tear which means pieces could break off and choke or harm the baby
  • The baby could fall off the crib if left unattended with one side down.

• Some drop side cribs are made of soft wood that makes it less sturdy and pieces could chip off and harm the baby.

• Some owners have assembled this kind of crib upside down for lack of specific instructions or because they assume they can figure it out on their own. Thus, it could come off unexpectedly

If you are planning to buy a crib, avoid buying used cribs and cribs that do not come with an instruction guide – in English. Also, look for the tag that shows it passed scrutiny with safety standards set by the government. You should know that these safety standards are updated regularly, so a crib that has a safety standard sticker issued in the 1970s or 1980s are no longer valid.

You should also do some research on the model and brand you want. Go online and check if it has had any recall issues or accidents with babies in the past. Your child is depending on you to take care of him or her, and part of that responsibility involves making sure the equipment used by the baby is safe.

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

Part One of this review of the April 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) product recall list covered items posing choking and strangulation hazards, as well as products that can cause laceration or fall injuries.

Part Two of our April 2010 review looks at many other products, including those posing fire and flammability risks, as well as several that can cause lead paint poisoning, drowning or other general injuries.

As noted in the introduction to Part One, these monthly government recall lists are designed to protect the public from dangerous products.

Products Posing Fire and Flammability Hazards

• Eastwind Industries Inc., of San Leandro, California, has agreed to recall about 4,600 Kuuma IR Stow and Go Grills that have been marketed exclusively at West Marine Stores. When the propane tanks on these grills leak fuel, they create fire hazards.
• PBteen, a division of Williams-Sonoma Inc., of San Francisco, California, has agreed to recall close to 3,000 PBteen Ottoman Beds because their mattresses have failed to meet the federal government’s “open flame standards for mattresses.” This problem can create fire hazards for consumers.
• Agio International Company of Hong Kong is voluntarily recalling 5,800 Patio Glow Outdoor Gas Fire Columns since gas can escape from column connections, posing fire hazards to consumers.
• Foria International Inc., of City of Industry, California, has agreed to recall close to 800 Women’s Peacoats since they have failed to meet the federal government’s flammability standards for clothing.

Products That Can Cause Lead Paint Poisoning

• At the request of both Health Canada and the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bauer Hockey Inc., of Greenland, New Hampshire, is voluntarily recalling their Youth and Junior Hockey Sticks, Shafts and Blades. The paint and decals on these products contain excessive levels of lead. (Approximately 67,000 of these items are being recalled in the U. S. and close to 60, 000 in Canada).
• Hammary Furniture Co., of Lenoir, North Carolina, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 7,000 Decorative Wood Chests and Tables since the furniture’s surface paint contains excessive levels of lead.

Products Posing Either a Drowning or General Injury Hazard

• Tabata USA Inc. (TUSA), of Long Beach, California, has agreed to recall about 250 TUSA RS-670 Regulators since one of the chamber plugs can loosen from the scuba regulator, creating a high-pressure leak and other problems. Divers can drown as a result of these complications.
• Mares USA, of Boca Raton, Florida, has agreed to recall its Mares Nemo Air Dive Computers due to an O-ring defect (in the high pressure air connector) that can cause a loss of breathing gas, creating a drowning risk for divers. (This recall involves approximately 600 units in the United States, 140 in Canada and about 15 in Puerto Rico).
• King Long Metal Industrial Company, Ltd., of Trumball, Connecticut, has agreed to recall about 6,800 Six Tier Chrome Shelving Units. If the casters on these units break at the stem, the units can fall, creating injury hazards to consumers.

General CPSC News
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently voted 5-0 to recognize four “firewalled testing laboratories, also known as firewalled conformity assessment bodies.” Prior to this vote, the CPSC had formally recognized close to 250 third-party testing laboratories. It’s important for the CPSC to continue approving more of these facilities since the newly amended Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) requires those who make children’s products to test them at CPSC-recognized labs.

(Readers interested in reviewing the entire April 2010 CPSC product recall list can do so by visiting the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr10.html )

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Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

The April 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall list includes products posing choking and strangulation risks, as well as others that can create fall, lead paint, laceration and drowning hazards.

These monthly government lists help protect the public by urging consumers to avoid using or purchasing various dangerous products. Our law firm recommends that you regularly review these lists before ever making a major purchase or buying anything for a child.

Part One of our April 2010 recalled products review focuses mainly on items posing choking and strangulation hazards, as well as others that can create laceration or fall risks.

Part Two of our April 2010 review looks at many other consumer items, including those posing fire and flammability risks, lead paint poisoning, drowning or other general injuries. Part Two concludes with a look at an important Consumer Product Safety Commission news item.

Products Posing Choking and Strangulation Hazards

• Deux par Deux Minimome Inc., of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is cooperating with the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission by recalling approximately 4,500 Children’s Snowsuits and Coats since both of these items employ drawstrings that can cause children to accidentally strangle themselves.
• 5 Star Apparel LLC, of New York, New York, has agreed to recall about 11,500 Mecca Children’s Hooded Jackets featuring drawstrings that put children at risk of strangulation.
• GJC International of Florida Inc., of Plantation, Florida is voluntarily recalling close to 3,200 Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts since their drawstrings can cause children to accidentally strangle themselves.
• Both the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have asked Gund, of Edison, New Jersey, to voluntarily recall Gund Baby Paperboard Books (about 15,100 in the U. S. and 865 in Canada) since the book binding foam can become detached, placing young children at risk of choking on it.
• Oriental Furniture of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has agreed to recall about 25,000 Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds since both products pose strangulation hazards to children.

Product Recalls Due to Fall Risks

• Le Hing Inc., of South El Monte, California, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 200 Baby Walkers since they can subject babies to serious injuries or death if the walkers are moved through standard doorways toward stairways. The walkers are not designed to stops at the edge of staircases or steps.
• Civia Cycles, of Bloomington, Minnesota, has agreed to recall about 800 Hyland Bicycles and Carbon Bicycle Forks since they can break or crack, putting consumers at risk of falling.

A Product Posing Laceration Hazards

• Crate and Barrel, a division of Euromarket Designs Inc., of Northbrook, Illinois has agreed to recall 42,000 Glass Water Bottles in the U. S. (and 2,200 in Canada) that can break apart when their stoppers are being removed or inserted, creating laceration risks to users.

As already noted above, Part Two of this April review covers products that pose fire and flammability risks and others that can cause lead paint poisoning, drowning or other general injuries. Part Two concludes with a look at an important Consumer Product Safety Commission news item.

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Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

March 2010: Product Recalls and Related News

Part Two of Two

Those who’ve already read Part One of this review know that an unusually high number of products posing choking, strangulation and fall risks are set forth in the March 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list. Other noted items can create shock, burn and poisoning hazards for members of the public.

These monthly government lists help protect consumers by urging them to avoid using or purchasing dangerous products. Our law firm recommends that you regularly review these lists before ever making a major purchase or buying anything for a child.

Part Two of our March 2010 review looks at products posing fire, shock, burn and laceration risks, as well as items that threaten the safety of infants and young children. This second half of our review also notes important CPSC news.

Products Posing Gas Leak, Shock, Laceration, Fire and Burn Hazards

• In response to both the CPSC and Health Canada, Telebrands Corp., of Fairfield, New Jersey, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 98,500 (United States) and 1,500 (Canada) Therma Scarf scarves. When these “scarves” are heated in a microwave, they can become too hot – creating a fire and burn risk to those using them.
• Lennox Hearth Products, of Nashville, Tennessee, has agreed to recall close to 5,700 Superior VFGL Vent-Free Gas Log Sets and VF Vent-Free Fireplaces. When the front burners of these two products fail to ignite, gas can escape, creating a fire or explosion hazard.
• Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Oregon, a division of Fiskars Brands Inc., of Madison, Wisconsin, has agreed to recall about 149,000 Gator Machetes and 6,000 Gator Machetes Jr. If these saws get stuck in wood while being used (and consumers’ hands slide off the handles and move forward over the machete blade), a laceration injury can occur.
• American Electric Lighting, a division of Acuity Brands Lighting Inc., of Conyers, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling about 900 Outdoor Lighting Fixtures. Consumers are at risk of being shocked due to the poor wiring in these light fixtures.
• Tumi, of South Plainfield, New Jersey, has agreed to recall about 5,000 Mobile Power Packs. While charging, the lithium-ion cells in the Mobile Power Pack can catch fire or explode, posing burn and other risks to consumers. (Note: This hazard can only occur if the units have not been charged.)
• Fluke Corporation, of Everett, Washington, has agreed to recall about 33,000 Fluke VoltAlert® Voltage Detectors. When these testers fail to indicate when live voltage is present, users may incorrectly assume that the electrical power is off. Unfortunately, such errors can cause serious harm or even death due to burns or electrical shock.
• Lumetique Inc., of Los Angeles, California, is cooperating with both the CPSC and Health Canada in recalling about 6,000 DayNa Decker Botanika Candles. Unfortunately, the candles’ glass holders can crack when the flame suddenly flares up, possibly causing laceration, fire and burn injuries.

Product Posing A Special Danger to Infants

• Infantino LLC, of San Diego, California, at the request of both the CPSC and Health Canada, is now offering to replace “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” infant slings (one million in the United States and 15,000 in Canada). Consumers are urged to “immediately stop” using these slings for any infants less than four months old to avoid serious suffocation problems.

Products That Can Cause Lead and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Carolina Biological Supply Co., of Burlington, North Carolina, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 2,300 Carolina Function Generator Kits. Inspections have shown that there are excessive amounts of lead in the kits’ yellow lids. Young children can suffer serious health problems due to such excessive lead.
• S&S Worldwide Inc., of Colchester, Connecticut has agreed to recall about 1,000 bags of Wooden Flowers and Insect Painted Beads since the beads contain unacceptable levels of lead.
• Simpson Dura-Vent Company Inc., of Vacaville, California, has agreed to recall about 500 DuraTech Anchor Plates with Damper and DuraChimney II Anchor Plates with Damper. When a user tries to either open or shut these fireplace dampers, they can get stuck, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Furthermore, some of these dampers pose threats simply because they were assembled backwards.
• Chandigarh Fashion Inc., of Flushing, New York, is voluntarily recalling close to 1,200 Children’s Bangles since the bracelets’ surface coating contains so much lead that it violates the federal lead paint standard.

Building and Construction Tool Poses Serious Injury Hazard

• Hitachi Koki U.S.A., Ltd., of Norcross, Georgia, in cooperation with both Health Canada and the CPSC, has agreed to recall about 50,000 (United States) and 15,000 (Canada) Coil Nailers because they have a malfunctioning feeder that may allow nails to be fired out sideways, creating serious injury risks for users or others in the immediate vicinity.

General Consumer Product Safety Commission News

I. New Rule Regarding Civil Penalty FactorsBy a 4-to-1 vote, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved a final rule addressing the proper factors to be reviewed when determining what civil penaltyamount should be assessed when a company or corporation knowingly violates CPSC laws.II. Warnings

A. The CPSC is warning all parents and other caregivers to be especially careful when using any baby or infant (carrying) slings when the babies are less than four months old. Research conducted over the past 20 years indicates that 14 infants have died due to such sling-style infant carriers, including three babies in 2009. Twelve of these tragedies involved infants who were not even four months old.

B. The commission is warning consumers about children’s winter and holiday- oriented bracelets. This jewelry, imported by Buy-Rite Designs, of Freehold, New Jersey (no longer in business), contains excessive amounts of cadmium which can be toxic when swallowed by young children.

III. Civil Penalty Imposed The CPSC has imposed a Two-Million Dollar Penalty on Daiso Holding USA Inc., Daiso Seattle LLC, of Seattle, Washington and Daiso California LLC, of Hayward, California. All of these Daiso companies have agreed to pay a 2.05 million dollar civil penalty and stop importing toys and products into the U. S. for children. Furthermore, Daiso must also “demonstrate to the Commission that it has sufficient knowledge of and is in compliance with” the CPSC’s testing requirements and standards because of its “alleged violations of federal safety laws.” (See: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html). Sylvia, I felt it was legally necessary to indicate where the quoted material just referenced above came from — so I added that hyperlink.

Our firm hopes that these monthly CPSC product recall reviews will help readers protect themselves, as well as their friends and families, from the many dangerous products that continue to find their way to the marketplace.

Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes great pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.

March 2010:  Product Recalls and Related News

Part One of Two

An unusually high number of products posing choking and strangulation risks are noted in the March 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) recall list.  Other referenced items can cause fire, burn, shock or laceration injuries, while still others pose a special threat to infants and young children. Several of the remaining recalled products put consumers at risk for excessive lead paint and cadmium poisoning.

These monthly government lists help protect the public by urging consumers to avoid using or purchasing various dangerous products. Our law firm recommends that you regularly review these lists before ever making a major purchase or buying anything for a child.

Part One of our March 2010 recalled products review focuses mainly on items posing choking and strangulation hazards. It also describes several goods that create fall risks for consumers.

Part Two of our March 2010 review looks at many other products, including those posing lead paint, carbon monoxide and cadmium poisoning risks. Other noted items can create fire, burn, gas leak, shock and laceration hazards. This second half of our review also notes recent CPSC news.

Products Posing Choking and Strangulation  Hazards

• Peachtree Playthings of Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to recall 127,000 children’s Batman, Tweety and Scooby Doo fork and spoon sets since the middle prongs of the forks can break off, posing a choking hazard to children. (These items are sold at Dollar Tree and Deals).
• Since such a large number of companies have agreed to recall their hooded sweatshirts (with drawstrings) for boys and girls due to their strangulation hazards, they will only be listed here by company name and any special brand name on the jackets. These companies include: Ten West Apparel, Children’s Apparel Network, Burlington Coat Factory, Liberty Apparel Company, LELE & Company Inc., Haselson International Trading Inc., Byer California (DBA Amy Byer, Philly) and Brand Revolution. (The two companies’ coats sold by Burlington carry the names Bubblegum USA and Regaliti Inc.)  The following are some of the additional coat names included in this recall: Jewel Girls’ Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings, Girls’ Cargo Pocket Jackets, Locks All Over Boys’ Hoodies, All Over Skaters Boys’ Hoodies and Rock Mask Boys’ Hoodies.
• Also under recall are the Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds made by several companies, including: Ethan Allen Global Inc., Meijer and Lutron Electronics. Repair kits are available for some of these shades and blinds. (When young children play with these blinds, they can get their necks caught in them and even choke themselves).

Product Recalls Due to Fall Risks

• Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, California, has agreed to voluntarily recall about 4,300 Konrad and Loft Office Chairs. When some of the chair backs become detached from the seats, consumers can fall.
• Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1.2 million Graco Harmony™ High Chairs.  If the chair leg screws come loose and fall out (or if the rear leg bracket breaks), the high chair may become unsteady, putting children at risk of falling.
• BikeMine of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Quality Bicycle Parts of Bloomington, Minnesota; Security Bicycle Accessories of Hempstead, New York and Bicycle Technologies International (BTI) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, have all agreed to recall about 325 Ventus Ltd™ and Ventus Team™ Bicycle Aerobars. If the two rubber hand grips on these handle bars become loose while consumers are riding their bikes, they can fall off and injure themselves.
• Both the CPSC and Health Canada have asked Evenflo Co. Inc. of Miamisburg, Ohio to voluntarily recall about 150,000 (U. S.) and 33,000 (Canada) Evenflo Top-of-Stair™ Plus Wood Gates. If the gate slats detach or break, children can fall and harm themselves.

Other products posing fire, burn, poisoning and shock risks are covered in Part Two of our review of the March 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall list.  Part Two also briefly notes some recent CPSC news.   Readers interested in reviewing the complete March 2010 CPSC list can visit the following link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html)

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Demas & Rosenthal remains one of Sacramento’s most highly respected and accomplished personal injury law firms. We’ve been successfully representing clients since our firm first opened its doors back in 1993. Every Demas & Rosenthal attorney takes pride in obtaining the full compensation and complete justice owed to every client.