Consumer Product Safety Commission

January 2001 Press Releases

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The William Carter Co. (Carter's®), of Morrow, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 600,000 infant jumpsuits for repair. A ribbon that runs through the zipper pull tab can detach, resulting in a potential choking hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Seattle Bike Supply, of Kent, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 1,400 children's bicycles. Because the bikes' pedals are too low to the ground, they fail to meet federal bicycle standards. Children can lose control when a pedal strikes the ground, causing falls and injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 6,400 Industry & Construction^TM brand 12- inch miter saws (Models 3660 TY1, 3680 TY1), which make angled cuts. Bolts on the saws can loosen and the blade could detach, posing a risk of lacerations to consumers.

The Tanglefoot Co., of Grand Rapids, Mich., is recalling about 35,000 cans of Tree Wound and Grafting Compound, used to seal pruning cuts and other tree wounds because pressure can build inside the can and forcibly discharge the compound, which can cause temporary skin irritation. CO2UCH of Glendale, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 27,300 rope lights with controller boxes because the rope light controller can short circuit. Environmental Lighting Concepts, of Tampa, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 1,560 floor lamps because an electronic component inside the plug can overheat, presenting a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily recalling to replace about 12,500 Busy School Bus toys. On certain units, the yellow "awning" piece above the bus' door can break loose, posing a choking hazard to young children.

After a recent rash of carbon monoxide poisonings - including incidents in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey -- the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is repeating its recommendation that every home should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. CPSC also urges consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel- burning appliances -- including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters -- to detect deadly carbon monoxide leaks.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Tropitone Furniture Co. Inc., of Irvine, Calif., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $750,000 to settle allegations that it violated the Consumer Product Safety Act by failing to report to CPSC in a timely manner defects associated with six models of its chaise lounge chairs. Tropitone reported to CPSC nearly 9 years after it first became aware of injuries from the chairs. The penalty also settles allegations that Tropitone violated the Act when it failed to timely report settlements of 30 lawsuits alleging injury to consumers from the chairs.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Trends Clothing Corp., of Hialeah Gardens, Fla., is recalling about 6,600 Ocean Pacific® girls' sweatshirts. These sweatshirts have hood drawstrings. Children can get entangled and strangle in the drawstrings that catch on objects, including playground equipment, fences and tree branches. Since 1985 CPSC knows of 16 deaths from neck/hood drawstrings. To help prevent children from strangling by their clothing drawstrings, in 1996 CPSC issued guidelines for drawstrings on children's outerwear, which were subsequently incorporated into a voluntary standard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Designer Classics LLC, of Keasbey, N.J., is recalling about 11,000 of its children's jeans and overalls manufactured under the BABY GUESS and GUESS GIRLS label. The small decorative metal appliques on the legs of the garments can come loose and separate, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 18,000 motorcycles, used in motocross competition. The rear brakes on these motorcycles can fail, causing a rider to lose control of the vehicle and crash, resulting in injuries or death.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), BBC International Ltd., of Boca Raton, Fla., is recalling about 38,000 pairs of Crayola® toddler boots. The toggle, a small plastic ball attached to the laces, can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.