Safety Commission investigating design of recreational vehicles after fatal accidents

Yamaha Motor’s Rhino center of probe

In November 2008, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced it is investigating the design of recreational off-highway vehicles, such as Yamaha Motor Company’s Rhino, after reports of more than 30 fatal accidents.

The inquiry focuses on gaps in oversight of the products, which are larger than all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), seat two and have a protective roll cage. Current rules for conventional ATVs don’t apply to the recreational vehicles due to their designs, leaving the products unregulated. A seeming increase in deaths related to the vehicles led to the probe.

The Yamaha Rhino is at the center of the probe, with at least an estimated 30 consumer deaths. Other models include Polaris’ Razor, Honda Motor Company’s Big Red, Kawasaki Heavy Industries’s Mule, and Arctic Cat Inc.’s Prowler.

A California-based association for recreational off-highway vehicles is in the process of developing safety standards for review by early 2009. The commission intends to study how the vehicles are being used, how injuries are happening and how consumer behavior may cause injuries.

Source: Alan Ohnsman and Mary Jane Credeur, “US Agency reviews unregulated off-road vehicles after deaths,” Bloomberg.com, November 4, 2008.

Sleep Innovations recalls comfort pillows because they may contain metal fragments

Mechanical breakdown may result in abrasions, cuts

On July 22, 2008, Sleep Innovations Inc. recalled about 120,000 Cuddly Comfort Pillows because a mechanical breakdown in the manufacturing process may cause the pillows to contain small metal fragments in the fiber-fill, which could pose a laceration hazard to consumers.

Recalled Cuddly Comfort Pillows were sold in packs of two, and each pillow is 20 inches wide by 26 inches long. They were sold in white, violet, blue, pink and yellow colors with the words “Sleep Innovations” printed on the tag. Only pillows with Registration Number PA-27156(CA) are included in the recall. Registration Numbers are found on the pillow’s tag.

Costco stores nationwide sold the recalled Sleep Innovations pillows from February 2008 through June 2008 for about $20. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled pillows and return them to any Costco store for a refund.

For more information, customers may contact Sleep Innovations at 866-656-0610, or visit the company’s website.

Source: “Sleep Innovations recalls pillows sold exclusively at Costco; metal fragments pose abrasion hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Alert #08-596, July 22, 2008.

Santorini Chairs recalled by Cost Plus after four incident reports of seat weld failures

Recalled chairs may collapse, posing fall hazard

On July 24, 2008, Cost Plus Inc. recalled about 8,600 Santorini Chairs because the weld can fail, causing the chair to collapse and posing a fall hazard to consumers. The company received four incident reports involving weld failure, though no injuries have been reported.

Included in the recall are black metal Santorini outdoor stacking chairs that have vertical bars on the back and horizontal bars across the base. Cost Plus and World Market stores nationwide sold the recalled chairs from January 2008 through April 2008 for about $50.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the chairs with side weld joints and return them to any Cost Plus or World Market store for a full refund or exchange. For more information, customers may contact Cost Plus at 877-967-5362, or at the company’s website.

Source: “Cost Plus recalls Santorini chairs due to fall hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-342, July 24, 2008.

Reebok Studio Exercise Cycles recalled after three consumers require stitches

Alloy cranks may break during use, posing laceration hazard

On July 24, 2008, Fitness Associates Incorporated (F.A.I.), under license from Reebok International Ltd., recalled about 20,000 Reebok Studio Exercise Cycles because they pose a laceration hazard to consumers. The company received five reports of alloy cranks breaking during use, including three consumers who required stitches.

Reebok Studio Exercise Cycles are upright exercise bikes that are black with silver cranks, and that are used primarily in fitness centers and other institutional settings. There is a logo on the side of the recalled exercise cycle that shows a person riding a bicycle.

F.A.I. sold the recalled Reebok Studio Exercise Cycles to health clubs and specialty fitness dealers nationwide from 1997 through 2000. F.A.I. is no longer in business.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled exercise cycles and contact Reebok International Ltd. at 800-382-3823 to receive a discount on an exercise cycle model. For more information, customers may also visit the company’s website.

Source: “Reebok International Ltd. recalls exercise cycles due to laceration hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-340, July 24, 2008.

Kids II Ring Rattles recalled after reports of parts detaching, posing choking hazard

On July 24, 2008, Kids II Inc. recalled about 19,000 Bright Starts Ring Rattles because the tip of the rattle’s antenna, which is attached to a bee figure, may detach, posing a choking hazard to small children.

Kids II received two reports of the tip of the antenna detaching, including one report that the purple ball was in the baby’s mouth, though no injuries have been reported.

The recalled rattle is a soft toy shaped as 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 label sewn into the bee’s head.

Toy stores, mass merchandisers and other retail stores nationwide sold the recalled Bright Starts Ring Rattles from January 2008 through June 2008 for between $2 and $3.

Consumers are advised to immediately remove the recalled rattles away from small children and contact Kids II at 877-325-7056 to receive a free replacement. For more information, customers may also visit the company’s website.

Source: “Kids II recalls infant rattles due to choking hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-343, July 24, 2008.

It’s My Binky’s Personalized Pacifiers recalled after two reports of parts detaching

Recalled pacifiers pose choking hazard to infants

On July 22, 2008, It’s My Binky recalled about 115,000 It’s My Binky’s Personalized Pacifiers because the button, ring handle and shield with nipple may detach, posing a choking hazard to infants. While the company has not received any reports of injuries, it has received two reports of the parts detaching.

Recalled It’s My Binky pacifiers have the word “Japlo” printed on the front of the shield. The recalled products were sold in blue, white and pink, and have various words or designs printed on the bottom of the pacifier.

Nordstrom and baby boutique retail stores nationwide, as well as itsmybinky.com, sold the recalled pacifiers from February 2006 through June 2008 for between $5 and $8.

Consumers are advised to immediately remove the pacifiers away from children and return them to the place of purchase, or to contact It’s My Binky at 888-689-9444 to receive a free replacement pacifier.

For more information, customers may also visit the company’s website, or email company representative Danielle Riiber.

Source: “It’s My Binky recalls personalized pacifiers due to choking hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-336, July 22, 2008.

Dirt Devil Vacuum Power Brush Attachment Tools recalled after 12 reports of consumer injuries

Plastic pieces inside the tool can break and be ejected, posing laceration hazard to consumers

On July 23, 2008, TTI Floor Care North America recalled about 987,000 Dirt Devil Vacuum Power Brush Attachment Tools after receiving 140 reports of incidents, including 12 reports of minor eye or skin injuries and one report of a thumb injury.

Plastic pieces inside of the recalled vacuum tool can break apart and be ejected, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. The recalled Dirt Devil Turbo Tool/Power Brush attachment was sold together with the following Dirt Devil vacuum models:

• Reaction Model (M110000, M110000HD, M110001B, M110002, M110003, M110006, M110008, M110008CA, M110009),
• Purpose for Pets (M140000, M140000CA),
• Envision Wide Glide (M086700WCA, M086710),
• Action Upright (M110020CAB),
• Ultra Swivel Glide (M086020),
• Swerve (M086030, M086030CA), and
• Royal Commercial (RY6100).

Vacuum tool accessories with date codes J7060 through J7365 and accessories that have a C-clip connector are the only ones included in the recall. Date codes are found on the bottom of the vacuum accessory.

The recalled Dirt Devil Vacuum Power Brush Attachment Tools are about 6.5 inches long and about 5 inches wide, and were sold in a variety of colors that match the color of the vacuum.

Mass merchandisers, home improvement stores and other retail stores nationwide sold the recalled TTI Floor Care North America vacuum attachment tools from April 2007 through April 2008 for between $60 and $170.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled Dirt Devil Accessory Tool and contact TTI Floor Care North America at 800-245-2296 for a free repair kit. For more information, customers may also visit the company’s website.

Source: “Dirt Devil Vacuum Accessory Tools recalled due to laceration hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-339, July 23, 2008.

Nordstrom recalls girl’s sandals because they are a potential choking hazard

Flower embellishments on Cadence-Lea and Trio-Lea sandals can detach

On June 24, 2008, Nordstrom Inc. recalled about 1,500 Nordstrom’s Cadence-Lea Girl’s Sandals and Nordstrom’s Trio-Lea Girl’s Sandals because flower embellishments on the sandals can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Recalled girl’s sandals are leather and were sold in white, light green or silver in girls’ sizes 5 through 12. The brand “Nordstrom” is printed on the recalled sandals.

Nordstrom stores sold the recalled Cadence-Lea and Trio-Lea Girl’s Sandals from March 2008 through May 2008 for about $30. Consumers are advised to immediately remove the recalled girl’s sandals away from children and return them to any Nordstrom store for a refund.

For more information, customers may contact Nordstrom at 800-804-0806, or visit the company’s website

Source: “Nordstrom recalls girls’ sandals due to choking hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-311, June 24, 2008.

RXV Golf Cars recalled by E-Z-GO after 9 reports of broken bones, abrasions

Hip restraints can break, posing a fall hazard to consumers

On June 27, 2008, E-Z-GO recalled about 16,500 RXV Golf Cars because the hip restraints on the cars can detach at the base, posing a fall hazard to consumers. The company received 20 reports of hip restraints breaking, including nine reports of broken bones and abrasions resulting from falls.

Included in the recall are electric and gasoline-powered Fleet RXV, Freedom RXV and RXV Shuttle 2+2 golf cars. Model names and the E-Z-GO logo are printed on the sides and front panel of the recalled vehicles. Serial numbers, ranging from 9300001 to 9300188 and 5000000 to 5021328, are printed on a plate attached to the steering column, as well as the front and rear frames.

Independent golf car dealers and E-Z-GO sold the recalled RXV Golf Cars nationwide from January 2008 through June 2008 for between $7,000 and $9,000.

Consumers are advised to contact the nearest E-Z-GO dealer to arrange for a free repair. For more information, customers may contact E-Z-GO at 800-774-3946, or visit the company’s website.

Source: “E-Z-GO recalls RXV golf cars due to fall hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Alert #08-591, June 27, 2008.

Remote Controlled Indoor Helicopters recalled due to risk of battery overheating

Westminster Inc. received seven reports of overheating, two reports of property damage

On June 26, 2008, Westminster Inc. recalled about 102,000 “Thunder Wolf” Remote Controlled Indoor Helicopters after receiving seven reports of overheating and/or melting of the helicopter. Included in the consumer reports were one report of flames and two reports of minor property damage.

The rechargeable battery located inside the recalled helicopter can overheat, which poses a fire/burn hazard to consumers.

The recalled “Thunder Wolf” Remote Controlled Indoor Helicopter is made of foam and plastic in various colors and is sold with a controller and a separate charger. The helicopter measures about 7 inches by 3 inches, and has “TW0996” printed on the tail of the helicopter. Helicopters that do not have the words “Made in China” stamped on the underside of the helicopter are the only helicopters included in the recall.

Retail stores nationwide sold the recalled Westminster helicopters from June 2007 through December 2007 for about $20.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop playing with the recalled “Thunder Wolf” Remote Controlled Indoor Helicopters and contact Westminster Inc. at 800-618-0023 for a refund. For more information, customers may also visit the company’s website or email the company.

Source: “Westminster Inc. recalls Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys due to risk of fire,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-315, June 26, 2008.