Consumer Product Safety Commission

November 2001 Press Releases

As the holidays approach, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging people to look for and eliminate potential dangers from holiday lights and decorations that could lead to fires and injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Icon Health & Fitness Inc., of Logan, Utah, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $500,000. The penalty resolves a lawsuit filed against Icon in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland last May. The government charged Icon with failing to report serious safety hazards associated with home exercise equipment. The settlement also requires Icon to establish internal recordkeeping and monitoring systems to keep track of information about product safety hazards.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Profile-Design LLC, of Long Beach Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 8,400 "aero bars" used on racing bicycles. The aero bars are handlebar extensions that either mount in the center of the handlebars or are sold as a complete handlebar and stem system. The aero bars allow riders to ride in an aerodynamic crouching position. The brackets that attach the aero bars' forearm pads, where riders rest their arms, can loosen or separate during use, causing the rider to lose control and crash.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Alco Industries Inc., of Edison, N.J., is voluntarily announcing the recall of 75,000 water fountains with candle holders. The tea candles on the water fountains can flare up, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Darice Inc., of Strongsville, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling 60,000 wooden candle holders. When the candle burns down to the bottom of the wick it can set the candle holder on fire, which poses fire and burn hazards to consumers.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Aqua-Leisure Industries Inc., of Avon, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 90,000 "SunSmart" baby floats. The leg holes in the seat of the float can tear, causing children to unexpectedly fall into the water and possibly drown.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Stride Rite Children's Group Inc., of Lexington, Mass., is voluntarily recalling about 109,000 pairs of Munchkin T-Strap girls' shoes. The buckle on these shoes can break, posing a choking hazard for young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Manley Toy Direct, of Indianola, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling about 15,800 Zapper toys. The balloon tongues and the cylinders holding the tongues on these toys can detach, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and KB Gear are announcing a recall of about 49,000 computer mouse sets for children. The mouse ball can separate from the mouse and pose a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), HandsOnToys, Inc. of Wilmington, Mass. is voluntarily recalling about 100,000 rattles. The rattle can break and expose the noisemaker inside the rattle handle, posing a choking hazard to young children.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ceraflame Inc., of New York, N.Y., is recalling about 3,000 ceramic tea kettles. The tea kettles can break or burst during use, spilling hot water, which poses the risk of burn injuries to consumers.

As families gather for the holidays, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers that dangerous children's products may still be in their homes. Grandparents dust off old playpens; older children often share their toys with younger relatives; and keepsakes are stored in old cedar chests. The CPSC wants to prevent these holiday traditions from becoming tragedies. Despite recall notices and public warnings, CPSC has found that many products with the potential to seriously injure or kill are still being used by consumers. CPSC is releasing a list of dangerous children's products- over 23 million product units -- that might still be in people's homes. These are some of the CPSC's largest recalls or consumer alerts involving children's products over the last year. Families should check whether old products have been recalled and place them out of the reach of children. Manufacturers will usually offer a free repair kit or replacement product.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Raleigh America Inc., of Kent, Wash., is voluntarily recalling about 500 bicycles. The bottom bracket spindle inside the crankset of the bicycle can break, causing the rider to lose control and crash.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries Inc., of Medina, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 12,000 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Screws in the ATV's manual transmission can loosen, causing the rear wheels to lock. This can cause the driver to lose control of the ATV and crash, possibly resulting in injury or death.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), WCI Outdoor Products, of Cleveland, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 35,000 lawn tractors to replace their 2-gallon fuel tanks. The tank in the lawn tractor can crack and leak fuel, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), JA-RU Inc., of Jacksonville, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 43,000 "Blast Balls" toys. When struck together, the toys create a cracking sound similar to that of a cap gun. The directions instruct consumers to strike one ball against the other in the palm of hand to create the cracking sound. When consumers strike the "Blast Balls" together, sparks can ignite, posing a burn hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hamilton Beach, of Glen Allen, Va., is voluntarily recalling about 2.4 million juice extractors. The juice extractor's strainer basket and lid can break apart, posing a risk of injury to nearby consumers, who can be struck by metal or plastic.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pacific Cycle, LLC, of Madison, Wis., is voluntarily recalling to repair about 2,500 Ally Cat tandem bicycle accessories. The hitch connecting the tandem accessory to the host bicycle can fail, causing the tandem accessory to become unstable, which poses the risk of injury to riders.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), BikeE Corp., of Corvallis, Ore., is voluntarily recalling 700 recumbent tandem bicycles. The steerer tube on the front forks can separate, causing the rider to lose control of the bicycle, fall, and possibly suffer serious injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Performance Inc., of Chapel Hill, N.C., is voluntarily recalling 1,150 wheel rims on Performance Road bicycles. The rims can crack causing the rider to lose control of the bicycle, fall, and suffer injuries.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Bizcom Electronics Inc., of Milpitas, Calif., Sceptre Technologies Inc., of City of Industry, Calif., and Systemax Inc. of Port Washington, N.Y., are voluntarily recalling about 13,000 batteries sold with notebook-style personal computers and individually. These batteries can overcharge during re-charging, causing them to overheat, smoke and possibly catch fire.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Progress Lighting, of Spartanburg, S.C., is voluntarily recalling about 10,600 fluorescent lights. The lights are improperly wired, posing a fire hazard.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Candlewick Press of Cambridge, Mass., is recalling about 78,670 "Bunny My Honey" children's board books printed in Italy. The plastic lamination on the board book may peel off, posing a choking hazard for young children.

Ann Brown resigned today as Chairman and Commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after 7 1/2 years at the helm of the agency.

Thomas Hill Moore today became Acting Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Mr. Moore, who has served as a commissioner at CPSC since 1995, said, "I came to CPSC, in part, because of my admiration for the hard work and zeal of its Chairman, Ann Brown (who resigned November 1). The agency is a better place for having had her extraordinarily talented stewardship. I will miss her and wish her well in her new endeavors."