Recent Recalls for Roman Shades, Toys and Clothes

This was just posted today on the Window Coverings website. US CPSC hasn‘t posted it yet on their website but have made the announcement publicly. Please read and take action.
"U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Window Covering Safety Council Announce Voluntary Corrective Action Plan

NEW YORK (December 2009) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) are announcing an industry-wide voluntary corrective action plan covering roman-style shades and roll-up blinds to prevent the potential hazard of strangulation to young children. The recall involves window coverings that can form a loop and cause strangulation. According to information provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, since 1990, more than 200 infants and young children have died from accidentally strangling in window cords."


Last week, there were three important recalls that were overshadowed by the Zhu Zhu Pets issue. Here quotes from the U.S CPSC website, and you can read more about them and what actions to take by visiting their website.

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009
Release # 10-061

Toy Trucks Recalled by Variety Wholesalers Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Super Rigs Play Sets
Units: About 700
Importer: Variety Wholesalers Inc., of Henderson, N.C.
Hazard: The toy truck’s surface coating contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves “Super Rig Transport” toy truck with trailer and vehicles. The truck and trailer are multi-colored, holding two vehicles and two action figures. “Super Rigs Play Set” is labeled on the outside of the packaging. The box back has a bar code square with Item No. 67007, Made in China and Bar Code 6-98567-67007-3. The bottom of the trailer has an engraved code 45TNGO9.
Sold at: Discount stores in the Southeast from September 2009 through November 2009 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China"



"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009
Release # 10-063

Children's Pajama Sets Recalled by Little Miss Matched Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Little Miss Matched Girls Pajama Sets
Units: About 7,000 in the United States and about 288 in Canada
Importer: Little Miss Matched Inc., of New York, N.Y.
Hazard: The sleepwear fails to meet the federal children’s sleepwear flammability standard posing a risk of burn injury to children.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves long sleeve toddler and girls pajama sets. The sets were sold in sizes XXS (2t-3t), XS (3t-4t), S (5-6), M (7-8) and L (10-12), and in three varieties:
Black Multicolored stripes/polka dots
White Multicolored stripes/polka dots
Pink Blue stripes and oversized polka dots

Sold exclusively at: Various retailers nationwide from March 2008 through July 2009 for between $30 (U.S.) and in Canada from March 2008 through November 2009 for about $30 (CAN).
Manufactured in: Honduras"


"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009
Release # 10-064

JCPenney Recalls Cooks® Outdoor BBQ Grills Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Cooks Outdoor® BBQ Grills
Units: About 5,600
Importer: JCPenney Purchasing Corp., of Plano, Texas
Hazard: The drip pan on the grill does not allow for adequate drainage, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 11 reports of fires resulting from inadequate drainage. No injuries reported.
Description: This recall involves Cooks® brand outdoor BBQ grills. The grill has a digital thermometer on the hood, stainless steel top and a global LP regulator. Lot number 780-2176 is printed on the underside of the grill’s stand.
Sold exclusively at: JCPenney stores nationwide and online at www.jcp.com from February 2009 through September 2009 for between $190 and $600.
Manufactured in: China"

Adventure Playset and Other Recalls

With the Zhu Zhu Pets recall scare, I thought it would be a good idea to check what the latest recalls issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are. I found a couple that I thought I should share.

The first one is a crib recall that was actually first announced in 2001, but are still being used by parents that are not aware that they have been recalled.

"Name of Product: “Molly” and “Betsy” Cribs

Units: About 400 (This recall was first announced in December 2001

Manufacturer: LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J.

Hazard: The cribs have cut-outs in the end panels that can allow young children to get their heads entrapped, which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of the death of a one-year old girl whose head and neck became entrapped in the headboard cut-out of the “Betsy” style crib in 2003 in Mississippi, following the 2001 recall. No additional incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves both “Molly” and “Betsy” style wooden cribs. The end panels on the "Molly" style cribs are made of solid wood with openings on both sides. The end panels on the "Betsy" style cribs are constructed with wood slats. The model numbers are printed inside the headboard at the bottom."

The second is a child's hoodie that you may want to check to see if your child has. No injuries or incidents have been reported, but the potential is there.

"Name of Product: “Hello Kitty” Zip Up Hoodie Sweatshirts

Units: 1,200

Distributor: NTD Apparel, of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: The sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) (which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The “Hello Kitty” hoodie has an appliqué on the right chest and screenprint on left chest and left sleeve. They were sold in black with silver lining and in sizes 2T, 3T, 4, 5, 6 and 6X. NTD APPAREL, D1592H7273, RN#116180 is printed on the neck label and care label.

Sold at: Macy’s and Dillard’s department stores nationwide from November 2008 through December 2008 for $36."

The third is a kitchen blender.

"Name of Product: Blenders

Units: About 53,800

Importer: Haier America Trading, L.L.C., of New York, N.Y.

Manufacturer: Ka Po International Industrial Co., of Hong Kong

Hazard: The blade assemblies of the blenders may come apart or break, posing a laceration risk.

Incidents/Injuries: Haier America has received approximately 60 reports of blade assemblies coming apart or breaking. One consumer reported receiving a minor cut to his hand.

Description: This recall involves commercial-style 500-watt blenders with model number HB500BSS. The units are stainless steel and black plastic. “Haier” is printed on the front below the power switch, and the model number is printed on a label on the bottom of the blenders.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and specialty retailers nationwide from November 2006 through October 2009 for between $26 and $60."

The final product that I want to share is the Adventure Playsets Wooden Play Sets.

"Name of Product: Adventure Playsets Wooden Play Sets

Units: About 275,000 in the United States and 6,800 in Canada

Distributor: Adventure Playsets, of Amarillo, Texas

Hazard: The plastic coated lumber on the horizontal ladder (monkey bar/swing beam) can weaken over time due to rotting of the whitewood (spruce, pine and fir species), resulting in a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Adventure Playsets has received more than 1,400 reports of rotting ladders involving 16 injuries that resulted in nine emergency room visits. The injuries include two arm fractures, lacerations, scrapes, and bruises to children younger than 8 years old. Most of the reported injuries occurred when the swing came out of the monkey bar/ swing beam that had rotted.

Description: This recall involves wooden play sets with swings, slides and ladders. Each set has an overhead monkey bar ladder that acts as both the monkey bar and swing beam, and an end ladder coated with cranberry or green plastic. The instruction manual has the name “Adventure Playsets” and one of the following model numbers printed on the cover."

For more information about these product recalls, please visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety site.