Consumer Product Safety Commission

February 2001 Press Releases

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning residents hit by the earthquake in the Pacific Northwest not to use gasoline-powered generators indoors because of the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Deaths from CO poisoning have occurred when generators were used after electricity was knocked out during other disasters such as ice storms and floods.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Baby Trend Inc. of Ontario, Calif., is repeating its announcement of the 1995 recall of Home and Roam and Baby Express portable cribs/play yards. These cribs/play yards can collapse and entrap an infant.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dura Kleen (USA) Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 459,000 nightlights. The nightlights' electrical connections are loose, they are made from flammable plastic and the power switch does not work. The nightlights pose shock and fire hazards to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Brinkmann Corporation, of Dallas, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 79,000 outdoor solar lights for repair. The beveled lens on the solar light can act as a magnifying glass. When sunlight passes through the lens, nearby combustible materials, such as mulch or dry grass, can catch on fire.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), By Us International Co. Ltd., of Taiwan, is recalling about 40,000 Ballistic front suspension forks installed on certain mountain bicycles. The forks on these bicycles can break apart, causing riders to lose control and fall. By Us International Co. previously announced the recall of 13,500 of these forks in May 2000. The firm has since disclosed that more of these forks are included in the recall.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), NIKE USA Inc., Beaverton, Ore., is voluntarily recalling about 225,000 pairs of its Jordan Trunner LX and Jordan Trunner 2000 cross-training shoes. The shoes have a thin metal strip on the outside of the heel that can protrude from the shoe and form a sharp edge that can cut consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AmeriGas Propane L.P., of Valley Forge, Pa., is recalling for inspection about 1,600 propane cylinders used to fuel gas grills and other appliances, which were sold or exchanged at stores in Ohio. These cylinders could be overfilled, which can cause them to release flammable propane gas unexpectedly, posing a risk of fires and explosions.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Graco Children's Products Inc., of Elverson, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 860,000 highchairs. The chair's legs can come out, causing the chair to fall to the ground. Children can suffer serious injuries from the fall.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Simmons Juvenile Products, of New London, Wis., is voluntarily recalling more than 68,600 cribs for repair. Bracket hooks that are used to position the height of the mattress can break, causing the mattress to collapse. Babies can become trapped and suffocate when this happens.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), IMT Accessories, of New York, N.Y., is recalling about 70,000 Barbie^TM Sunglasses. The frames of the sunglasses can break, allowing the petroleum distillate and floating glitter to leak out. Petroleum distillates could be harmful to children's eyes and skin and could be fatal if ingested.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Controlled Energy Corporation (CEC), of Waitsfield, Vt., is recalling about 320 AquaStar natural gas water heaters. The heaters can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas, which can cause serious injuries and death.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pebco Inc., of Congers, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 22,500 hairdryers. These hairdryers have undersized wiring, are not equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters to cut off electrical current in case of contact with water, and have loose electrical connections. The hairdryers pose an electrocution and fire hazard to consumers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to begin rulemaking that could lead to a ban on candles with lead-core wicks. CPSC has determined that candles using lead wicks could present a lead poisoning hazard to young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Chairman Ann Brown has awarded the Chairman's Commendation to KaBOOM!, of Washington, D.C., a national nonprofit organization committed to building safe community playgrounds.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Chick-fil-A Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., is recalling about 3.8 million "Planet Discovery" Kid's Meal toys. The toys were distributed at 800 Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide during January 2001 and during January 1999. The suction cup on the toy can come off, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Supreme Toys (H.K) Ltd., of Hong Kong, is recalling about 290,000 toy vehicles. Small parts can break off of the toy vehicles, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), of Newtown, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 400,000 gun locks for replacement. Under certain conditions, these locks can open without the use of a key. This can give unauthorized access to a firearm.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pottery Barn Kids, of San Francisco, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 2,900 wooden dog pull toys. Wooden pegs can come off of these pull toys, posing a choking hazard to young children. Pottery Barn Kids has received a report of one peg coming off of the toy. No injuries have been reported.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Carrier (Puerto Rico) Inc., of Cantano, Puerto Rico, is voluntarily recalling about 460 air conditioners. Condensation inside these air conditioning units can splash onto the control board, causing it to short circuit and start a fire.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kolcraft® Enterprises, Inc., of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 3,356 Tot Rider walkers. The cover on the walker's removable music center can break off, allowing small parts to fall from the product, creating a potential choking hazard to young children.