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Letter to the editor

Recalls

Consumer product safety information

By Times Staff
Published August 20, 2007

Various Mattel toys with magnets

Company: Mattel Inc.

Why? Small magnets inside certain Mattel toys can come loose. The magnets can be found by young children and swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

What models? The recalled toys include Polly Pocket play sets with plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07273.html for a full list of the dolls and item numbers, Doggie Day Care toys (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07272.html for the toy and product number), Barbie and Tanner toys with model numbers J9472 and J9560 (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07271.html ), and Batman and one-piece magnetic action figure sets (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07269.html for names and model numbers).

Where sold? Toy stores and various other retailers nationwide.

What to do? Contact Mattel for a voucher for a replacement toy.

For information: Toll-free 1-888-597-6597 ; www.service.mattel.com.

Sarge die-cast toy cars

Company: Mattel Inc.

Why? Surface paints on the toys could contain lead levels in excess of federal standards. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

What models? The toy car looks like a military jeep and measures about 2 1/2 inches long by 1 inch high by 1 inch wide. The recalled toy has the markings "7EA" and "China" on the bottom. The "Sarge" toy car is sold alone or in a package of two, and may have the product number M1253 (for single cars) and K5925 (for cars sold as a set) printed on the packaging. The cars marked "Thailand" are not included.

Where sold? Retail stores.

What to do? Contact Mattel to return the product and receive a replacement toy.

For information: Toll-free 1-800-916-4997 ; www.service.mattel.com.

Toshiba notebook batteries

Company: Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.

Why? The lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

What models? The recalled lithium-ion batteries were sold with, or sold separately to be used with these notebook computer models: Satellite A100, Satellite A105 and Tecra A7 (first two digits of serial number on each are 16, 26, 36, 46). The battery model is printed on the battery.

Where sold? Electronics retailers.

What to do? Contact Toshiba for a replacement. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, removing the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement is received.

For information: Toll-free 1-800-457-7777 ; www.bxinfo.toshiba.com .

Gold Pine Cone candle sets

Company: Giftco Inc.

Why? The candles' exterior paint and coating can ignite and catch fire, igniting nearby combustibles.

What models? Gold Pine Cone Candles (set of three), Item Numbers 1240 and R1240. The item number is on the product's packaging. The set includes three candles of different sizes that sit on a gold plate.

Where sold? Christmas stores, school fundraisers, mail order and specialty stores.

What to do? Contact Giftco for a refund.

For information: Toll-free 1-888-448-6728 .

Outdoor lounge chairs sold at Lowe's

Company: L G Sourcing Inc.

Why? The chair can break when in the reclined position, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

What models? The Garden Treasures Cloud 9 Beyond outdoor lounge chairs. The chairs are tan in color, have a light steel frame, cloth seat, a pillow at the headrest and an adjustable sun visor.

Where sold? Lowe's.

What to do? Return chairs to any Lowe's for a refund.

For information: Toll-free 1-866-493-6560 ; www.lowes.com .

Ian's Natural Foods frozen turkey products

Company: Ian's Natural Foods.

Why? The products may contain nonfat milk, a known allergen, that is not declared on the label.

What models? Eight-ounce boxes of Ian's Popcorn Turkey Corn Dogs, Crispy Batter Dipped Turkey Dogs with the establishment number P-19011 and a packaging date of 07099, 07114, 07120 or 07173. .

Where sold? Food distribution centers in Florida and other states.

For information: (978) 989-0601 .

Vehicle navigation and entertainment system batteries

Company: Clarion Corp. of America.

Why? The lithium-ion batteries in these units can melt or overheat posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

What models? The N.I.C.E. P200 is a black portable navigation and entertainment device that can be attached to a vehicle's windshield. The device has a 4-inch touch screen LCD monitor and contains one lithium battery. "Clarion" and "N.I.C.E. P200" are printed on the device. "Clarion NAVBATTERY" is printed on the battery. The recall includes any N.I.C.E. P200 in which batteries were previously replaced.

Where sold? Car audio and mobile electronics stores nationwide.

What to do? Stop using the recalled batteries and contact Clarion Corp. for a full refund, information on returning the product, and a postage paid envelope to return the product.

For information: Toll-free 1-800-347-8667 Monday through Friday between noon and 8 p.m. , e-mail parts@clarion.com">href="mailto:parts@clarion.com" mce_href="mailto:parts@clarion.com">parts@clarion.com or visit www.clarion.com.

Gilchrist & Soames toothpaste

Company: Gilchrist & Soames.

Why? Some samples of the toothpaste contained diethylene glycol, or DEG. DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to children and people with kidney or liver disease.

What models? Complimentary-sized (.65oz/18ml) Gilchrist & Soames toothpaste.

Where sold? Not sold, but available from hotels nationwide.

What to do? Dispose of it.

For information: Toll-free 1-866-587-6542 ; www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/toothpaste.html .

Skil circular saws

Company: Robert Bosch Tool Corp.

Why? The trigger switch can be locked on or the switch can be turned on without the use of the safety lockout. This can cause unexpected operation of the saw, posing a risk of laceration.

What models? The recall involves Skil circular saws with model numbers 5650, 5700, 5750 and 5755. The model number and date code are printed on the nameplate on the front of the saw. The recall includes these date codes: 28101 - 29231, 38101 - 39231, 48101 - 49231, 58101 - 59231 and 68101 - 69231.

Where sold? Home centers and independent hardware retailers nationwide.

What to do? Stop using the recalled saws and contact the firm for instructions on getting a free repair.

For information: Toll-free 1-866-761-5572 ; www.skil.com .

Classic Beauty Rest electric warming throws

Company: International Home Fashions Inc. and sister company Bilt-Safe Technologies.

Why? Bunching, folding or tucking of these electric throws can cause them to overheat, resulting in smoldering, melting, fire and burn hazards.

What models? This recall involves 52-inch by 62-inch electric warming throws. The 100 percent acrylic throws were sold in various colors and patterns and have model number BST-06-THR. The model number is on the care label sewn into the throw. "Classic Beautyrest" and "Automatic Electric Warming Throw" is printed on the product's packaging. Model numbers with these date codes are included: B00106 through B36506. Bilt-Safe Technologies Inc. and the date code are printed on the bottom of the care label.

Where sold? Kmart, Fingerhut catalogs and the LTD Commodities LLC Web site.

What to do? Contact International Home Fashions for information on where to return a portion of the power cord to receive two replacement (non-electric) throws.

For information: Toll-free 1-800-905-0799 ; www.intlhomefash.com .

[Last modified August 17, 2007, 20:24:02]