Products recalled for their hazard potential
By NANCY PARADIS
Published November 29, 2004
The following products were recalled between Nov. 12 and 18:
* As a reminder during the holiday season, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warns shoppers about toys that have been recalled. These include 398,000 Bumble Bee Toys by Graco Children's Products; 294,000 Nerf Big Play Footballs by Hasbro; 225,000 Children's Mirror Books by Kids II Inc.; 287,000 Radio-Control Toy Trucks by Nikko America Inc.; 70,000 Ride-On Toys by Tek Nek Toys International; 314,000 Batman Batmobile Toy Vehicles by Mattel Inc.; 441,000 Children's Athletic Shoes by Payless ShoeSource Inc.; 300,000 "Rock 'N Roller" Baby Strollers by Dorel Juvenile Group USA; 150-million pieces of Metal Toy Jewelry sold in vending machines by four importers AA Global Industries Inc., Brand Imports, Cardinal Distributing Co. and L.M. Becker & Co. Inc.; and 140,000 Toddler's Athletic Shoes by Reebok International. For complete information on these and other recalls, go to the Web site at www.recalls.gov
In choosing appropriate toys, the Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these tips:
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards.
For children who mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts, which could be choked on.
Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses and other small parts.
For children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under 8.
Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age and safety recommendations, and use that information as a guide.
Check toy instructions for clarity, for you and the child.
Immediately discard plastic wrappings; they can cause suffocation if they become playthings.
Other recalls:
* 18,000 Lakewood MPH-25 fan-forced mini personal electric heater by Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co. An electrical failure could lead to overheating and melting of plastic parts, posing a fire hazard. The small white plastic heater is 6 by 7 by 3 inches with a gray grill, gray knob and model number "MPH-25" on the bottom. The heaters were sold at retailers from August 2001 through November 2004 for $13 to $15. For free replacement instructions, call toll-free 1-888-858-3506 between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays; www.lakewoodeng.com
* 460,000 Ab Lounge, Ab Lounge 2 and Ab Lounge Ultimate exercisers by Fitness Quest Inc. When opening or folding these machines, consumers can catch their fingers in the hinges, resulting in cuts, crushing or amputation. The recall involves these machines: Ab LoungeALX-000001 through ALX-037999, and all machines that start with serial numbers 03 44 through 04 36; Ab Lounge 2 AL2X-000001 through AL2X-059060, and all machines that start with serial numbers 04 03 through 04 36; and all Ab LoungeUltimates that start with serial numbers 04 28 through 04 34. Serial numbers are on a label on the bottom of the front frame. Ab Lounge exercise products with straight brackets that do not fold are not part of this recall. They were sold through infomercials, the Internet, catalogs and discount department and sporting goods stores, including Wal-Mart and Dicks Sporting Goods, since October 2003 for $100 to $210. For free repair kit, call toll-free 1-800-321-9236 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays; www.fitnessquest.com
* 7,800 TriLite Stools by Byer Manufacturing Co. Stool legs can bend, and the stools may collapse when used on smooth, hard floor surfaces. This recall includes Byer of Maine TriLite Stools, produced in China, that shipped between Feb. 19 and June 16. They were sold in retail stores for about $18. Call toll-free 1-800-338-0580 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays to arrange for a two-for-one replacement; www.byerofmaine.com/recall.pdf
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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