Consumer Product Safety Commission

November 2000 Press Releases

Bicycle Handlebar Stems Recalled by Profile Design

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Profile Design LLC, of Carson, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 mountain bike handlebar stems. The stem connects the bicycle's handlebars to the fork. These stems can break during use, causing the bicycle rider to crash and suffer serious injuries.

Fondue Sets Recalled by Lifetime Hoan Corp.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lifetime Hoan Corp., of Westbury, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 132,000 fondue sets to replace their burners. Some sets have alcohol burners that can produce high flames beyond the intended-cooking surface of the fondue pot. Another set, which uses chafing fuel, is being recalled because the chafing fuel holder could tip as it burns down. Both problems present potential fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Gun Cabinets Recalled by Stack-On Products

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Stack-On Products Co., of Wauconda, Ill., is recalling about 3,300 gun cabinets with the brand name "Stack-On" or "Sentinel". The gun cabinets have push button locks that can be opened without the use of a key allowing unauthorized access to firearms.

High Chairs Recalled by Cosco

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cosco Inc., of Columbus, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about one million Options 5 High Chairs. The high chairs are adjustable and have both recline and upright positions. In the recline position, the seats can separate from the frame and fall to the ground. In the upright position, the seats can slip from their set height position to the lowest position or can fall to the ground. Additionally, some seats were sold with a metal restraint anchor that can slip through the back of the seat allowing the child to fall to the ground. Infants and toddlers can suffer head, face and bodily injuries.

Recessed Lights Recalled by Cooper Lighting

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cooper Lighting, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., is recalling about 34,000 recessed lights. The glass ring exterior portion or trim of these lights can fall from the fixture, posing a risk of lacerations and impact injuries.

Plush Rabbit Toys Recalled by Small Small World

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Small Small World, of Englewood, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 60,000 plush rabbit toys sold under The Boyds Collection label. The eyes on these toys could detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Off-Road Motorcycles Recalled by American Honda Motor Co.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Honda Motor Co. Inc., of Torrance Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 22,000 off-road motorcycles. The two bolts that attach the handlebars can break. If the handlebars separate from the motorcycle, the rider loses steering control and can crash, posing the risk of serious injuries.

Off-Road Motorcycles Recalled by Kawasaki Motors Corp.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif., is recalling about 4,000 Motocross Competition motorcycles. A frame down tube on these motorcycles can crack below the steering head. Use of the motorcycle with a cracked down tube can result in failure of the frame, which can cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle and crash, resulting in injury or death.

Desk Fans, Power Strips and Extension Cords Recall

The Morton Paper Co., of Brooklyn, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 4,500 desk fans. The desk fan being recalled is a 16-inch "PIONEER" brand because the fans could overheat during use, and do not have sufficient guards to prevent possible finger entrapment. These fans present electrocution, shock, fire, and finger amputation hazards. The Howard Berger Co. Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 17,500 power strips and about 10,000 extension cords because the power strips have undersized wires, lack over-current protection and grounding, and the plastic case is flammable.

Toddlers' Slippers Recalled by L.L. Bean Inc.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), L.L. Bean Inc., of Freeport, Maine, is voluntarily recalling about 2,000 pairs of fleece slippers. The drawcord around the ankle of these slippers can break and release the toggle used to tighten the drawcord. The toggle presents a choking hazard to young children. L.L. Bean has received one report of a 12 month-old baby pulling the toggle off of his slipper. No injuries were reported.

Paper Shredders Recalled by General Binding Corp.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), General Binding Corp. (GBC), of Northbrook, Ill., is recalling about 3,000 paper shredders. These paper shredders do not have a protective shield to guard against exposure to the cutting blades. Consumers could lift the paper shredder lid while it is running and come into contact with the turning blades. Consumers could suffer cuts or amputations of finger tips if they touch the turning blades.

Curious George Musical Pull Toys and Electric Fans Recalled

Prestige Toy Corp., of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 4,600 Curious George musical pull toys for replacement because the toy has two elastic cords that form a loop, posing a strangulation risk to young children. Agis Enterprises Co. Inc., of West Keansburg, N.J., is recalling about 11,800 electric fans because the fans could overheat during use and do not have sufficient guards to prevent fingers from contacting the fan blades.

CPSC, Three Firms Announce Recall of Bicycle Helmets

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Variflex Inc., of Moorpark, Calif.; NHS Inc., of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and First Team Sports Inc., of Anoka, Minn.; are voluntarily recalling about 243,000 bicycle helmets. These helmets fail impact testing required under CPSC's Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. Riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls, and could suffer severe head injuries or death. The recalls are the result of a CPSC investigation, test results provided by the Good Housekeeping Institute and a helmet company's report to CPSC.

Craftsman® Radial Arm Saws Recalled by Emerson Tool

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Emerson Tool Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is recalling about 3.7 million Craftsman® radial arm saws for repair. These radial arm saws were sold without a guard that covers the entire blade. Consumers have come into contact with the blade or have been hit by pieces of wood kicked back by the saws, resulting in severe injuries.

Crawford Textile Corp. Fined $150,000 for Selling Dangerously Flammable Fabric

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Crawford Textile Corp., of Greensboro, N.C., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $150,000. The penalty settles allegations that the firm sold highly flammable fabric to a garment manufacturer, a violation of the Federal Flammable Fabrics Act, and also did not report the sale of the flammable material to the CPSC, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act.

Circuit Testers Recalled by Kole Imports

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kole Imports, of Carson, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 4,000 electric circuit testers. The circuit testers can fail to indicate if electric current is present, posing a risk of electric shock to consumers.

Go-Kart Seat Belts Recalled by AMSAFE Commercial Products

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AMSAFE Commercial Products Inc., of Phoenix, Ariz., is voluntarily recalling about 1,150 Murray go-karts to repair their seat belts. The seatbelts on these go-karts can unintentionally unlatch, posing a risk of serious injury to riders.

All-Terrain Vehicles Recalled by Honda

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Honda Motor Co., Inc., of Torrance Calif, is voluntarily recalling approximately 126,000 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Two models of Honda ATVs are being recalled for separate problems, both of which could result in riders losing control of the ATVs, crashing and suffering severe injuries or death.

Child-Resistant Lighters Bring Down Fire Deaths

A federal safety standard requiring cigarette lighters to be child-resistant has led to dramatic decreases in fires, deaths and injuries, according to a report issued today by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Toy Xylophones by Dolgencorp Recalled

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dolgencorp Inc., of Goodlettsville, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling about 113,000 toy xylophones. The red mallet sold with the toy xylophone can get lodged in the throats of young children, posing a choking hazard.

Five-Y Clothing Recall of Fleece Sweatshirts Sold at Kmart

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Five-Y Clothing Inc., of Miami, Fla., is recalling about 42,000 fleece sweatshirts. These garments, which fail to meet the federal mandatory standards for fabric flammability, could ignite easily and present a serious risk of burn injuries.

CPSC, Window Covering Industry Announce Recall to Repair Window Blinds - New Investigation of Children's Deaths Leads to Redesigned Window Blinds

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council are announcing a recall to repair horizontal window blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children. The recall involves millions of window blinds with pull cords and inner cords that can form a loop and cause strangulation. About 85 million window blinds are sold each year.