Action: Products recalled for their hazard potential

Products recalled for their hazard potential

NANCY PARADIS
Published October 25, 2004

The following products were recalled between Oct. 15 and 21:

1,600 Earlyears Spirolly Rattle by International Playthings Inc. The spiral section of the rattle can come apart, releasing small balls inside and posing a choking hazard to young children. The recalled product is a rattle designed for children ages 3 months. It is 5.5 inches long with a clear, spiral tube in the center containing eight yellow and purple balls inside that travel around the spiral. They were sold at specialty toy stores nationwide from August 2004 through September 2004 for about $9. Call toll-free 1-800-445-8347; www.intplay.com

128,880 Ice Cream Car, Police Car and Washing Machine toys by Tai Tung International. The multicolored beads inside the toys can become accessible to children, posing a choking hazard. The multicolored cars are about 5 inches long, contain various stickers, and make animal and music sounds that cause lights to flash and multicolored beads inside the toys to move. They were sold at toy and discount stores nationwide from June 2000 through September 2004 for about $3. Return to place of purchase for refund. Call toll-free 1-800-516-2988 between noon and 7 p.m. or e-mail sales@toystoreonline.com

101,557 multipurpose utility lighters by Zippo Manufacturing Co. The utility lighters may spill fuel from the nozzle when first used, causing a potential fire hazard. The black or chrome metal Zippo MPL uses refillable butane fuel, is child resistant, and measures 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. Only utility lighters with these date codes are recalled: G03, H03, I03, ZH03. The date code is on the black adjuster knob on the bottom of the lighter. They were sold at Lowe's, Bed Bath & Beyond, selected Yankee Candle stores, Barbeque Galore, Harrington and Hammacher Schlemmer catalog, select Wal-Mart stores and other convenience, hardware and home, hearth and patio stores from October 2003 to Sept. 1, 2004. Call toll-free 1-888-670-2940 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays for refund instructions; www.zippomplrecall.com Do not return this lighter to the store where purchased.

124,000 Avanti water dispensers by Avanti Products Inc. The child-resistant safety feature on the hot water faucet can malfunction so that the faucet will not turn off, causing burn injuries. The following model numbers are recalled: WD32, WD 50, WD 50.1, WDT51, WDR 52 or WHC 59. The model number is written on a silver sticker on the back of the unit. Model number WDR 52 is a combination refrigerator and water dispenser. They were sold at Office Depot, Staples and other appliance and electronic stores nationwide from July 2000 through August 2004 for between $120 and $250. Call toll-free 1-800-366-0339 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays; www.regcen.com/waterdispenser

7,279 Fargglad multicolor children's chairs by IKEA Home Furnishings. The red plastic feet can detach from the chair legs, posing a choking hazard. Recalled chairs have article number 400.548.40 and supplier number 16592 or 17128 on a label on one of the chair's rear legs, or on the underside of the chair seat. They were sold at IKEA stores from May 2003 through Sept. 18, 2004, for about $15. Return chair to the "Returns and Exchanges" department at any IKEA U.S. store for a full refund. Call toll-free 1-888-966-4532 24 hours a day; www.ikea-usa.com

Sources: Government recall site at www.recalls.gov Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov toll-free 1-800-638-2772; Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov. USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, toll-free 1-800-535-4555; government food safety information at www.foodsafety.gov National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline, www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline toll-free 1-888-327-4236; RecallWarnings at www.recall-warnings.com

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