Consumer Product Safety Commission

June 2001 Press Releases

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a lawsuit has been filed against Ameri-China International Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., and the company's president, Austin Wu. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that Ameri-China imported more than 755,000 illegal children's toys between 1997 and 2000.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) held a press conference today on the National Mall to demonstrate the dangers of sparklers and some illegal fireworks, including M-80s and salutes. Improper use of fireworks or use of illegal fireworks can result in deaths, blindings, amputations and severe burns.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), five firms are recalling about 50,500 backpack blowers. The fuel tanks on these blowers can leak, posing a fire hazard and risk of burn injuries to consumers.

A new report shows that while deaths from residential fires have been nearly cut in half from 4,500 in 1980 to 2,660 in 1998, those caused by candles have increased dramatically. Candle deaths increased 750 percent from 1980 (20 deaths) to 1998 (170 deaths). In most cases, candles caused house fires when they were left unattended, tipped over and ignited nearby combustibles. Almost half of home candle fires start in the bedroom. Mattresses or bedding are the most common items that ignite, followed by furniture (dressers, desks, and tables) and then curtains. Tealights and tapers are common culprits in candle fires.

Chain Saws - Stihl Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 chain saws. A missing screw can cause the chain brake to fail to operate, presenting a laceration hazard to consumers. Inglesina USA Inc., of Montclair, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 780 child table seats. The seats were sold without a seat belt, posing a risk to children who climb out of the seat.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), KB Toys, of Pittsfield, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 115,000 Electronic Light N' Learn activity gyms. Five detachable hanging rattle toys have small round pegs at the top of the toys that can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Gymboree Corp. (Gymboree®), of Burlingame, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 5,500 Baby Boy Bodysuits. The wheel-shaped zipper pull can twist off and become a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Century Products Co., of Macedonia, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 650,000 "Take 2," "Travel Solutions," "Pioneer," "Travelite," and "Pro Sport" 4-in-1 strollers. The strollers can unexpectedly collapse or the car seat/carrier adapter can unexpectedly detach. When this happens, an infant or young child inside the stroller or an attached car seat/carrier can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Battat Incorporated, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., is recalling about 1,500 Parents™ magazine-brand Soft Landing Beanbag cushions. This product is an infant cushion manufactured by Battat for Parents™ magazine. Infant pillows and cushions have been banned under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act since 1992 because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. In addition, two 8- to 9-inch cords, which attach toys to the cushions, pose strangulation hazards. Battat has received one report of the cord attached to the rattle on one of these cushions becoming wrapped around the neck of a 7-month-old baby boy, causing red marks.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), BRIO® Corp., of Germantown, Wis., a subsidiary of BRIO AB of Sweden, is recalling 6,450 baking set toys. The sets include a hand mixer with a knob that can break off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Burger King Corporation, of Miami, Fla., and its franchisees today announce a voluntary safety program to replace the nets on its enclosed indoor and outdoor play structures throughout the United States with no-climb nets. BURGER KING® restaurants will install "no-climb" nets from the floor up to 7 feet to prevent children climbing into areas not meant for play.

About 350 children under 5-years-old drown in pools each year nationwide, and over half of these incidents occur in June, July and August. Among unintentional injuries, drowning is the second leading cause of death to this age group after motor vehicle incidents. Another 2,600 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for near-drowning incidents. Most of these cases involve residential pools. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants to reduce the number of children drowning this summer.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1.1 million to settle CPSC charges that it failed to report serious safety defects with Power Wheels toy vehicles. This is the largest fine against a toy firm in CPSC's history.

Equity Marketing Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 4,300 Remote Controlled Race Cars. These cars can overheat and emit smoke and may pose a potential burn hazard. Nantucket Distributing Co. Inc., of South Yarmouth, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 28,000 Galileo thermometers. The thermometers contain a liquid that is flammable and a hazardous substance that could be harmful or fatal if swallowed.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hedstrom® Corp., of Bedford, Pa., and their subsidiary Backyard Products, of Collingwood, Ontario, are recalling to repair about 190,000 Star Cruiser® and Rocket Rider® swings on backyard gym sets. Screws that hold the swing together can fall out, causing the seat to fall to the ground, posing an injury risk to children.