Monday, August 20 2012 09:04

Written by RiverheadLOCAL

Toysmith Recalls Animal Snap Bracelets Due to Laceration Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Animal Snap Bracelet

Units: About 89,500 units

Importer: Toysmith of Sumner, Wash.

Hazard: The metal snap band can wear through the fabric covering resulting in exposing sharp edges and posing a laceration hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received eight reports of injuries including lacerations.

Description: This recall includes Animal Snap Bracelets in assorted metallic fabrics with animal figures, including: Seahorse, Frog, Snake, Starfish, Crab, Lizard, Dolphin and Fish. Manufacturing date codes between 07/11 and 01/12 are printed on a sewn-in label found on the inside of the bracelet. The label includes the Toysmith name and address. A round paper tag is attached to the product with the product name, Toysmith information, the words "Item # 2360 Animal Snap Bracelet," SKU number and bar code.

Sold at: Cost Plus World Market, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and other retailers from September 2011 to February 2012 for about $3.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should return the product to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toysmith at (800) 356-0474 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.toysmith.com.

Sunday, August 19 2012 12:09

Written by RiverheadLOCAL

GE Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: GE, GE Adora™, GE Eterna™, GE Profile™ and Hotpoint®, Dishwashers

Units: About 1.3 million in the United States

Manufacturer: GE Appliances, of Louisville, KY

Hazard: An electrical failure in the dishwasher's heating element can pose a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received 15 reports of dishwasher heating element failures, including seven reports of fires, three of which caused extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile and Hotpoint brand dishwashers. They were sold in black, white, bisque, stainless steel and CleanSteel™ exterior colors and finishes. The model and serial numbers can be found on a metallic plate located on the left tub wall visible when the door is opened. Model and serial numbers will start with one of the following sequences:

Sold at: Appliance dealers, authorized builder distributors and other stores nationwide from March 2006 through August 2009 for between $350 and $850.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it and inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire. For all dishwashers, contact GE for a free in-home repair or to receive a GE rebate of $75 towards the purchase of a new GE front-control plastic tub dishwasher, or a rebate of $100 towards the purchase of a new GE front-control stainless tub dishwasher or GE Profile top control dishwasher. Consumers should not return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where they purchased as retailers are not prepared to take the units back.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (866) 918-8760 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website atwww.geappliances.com/recall

Sunday, August 19 2012 12:05

Written by RiverheadLOCAL

CPSC Sues Zen Magnets Over Hazardous, High-Powered Magnetic Balls
Action prompted by ongoing harm to children from ingested magnets

In an effort to prevent children from suffering further harm, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff filed an administrative complaint today against Zen Magnets LLC, of Denver, Colo., alleging that their products contain defects in the design, packaging, warnings and instructions, which pose a substantial risk of injury to the public.

The Commission voted 3-1 to approve the filing of the complaint, which seeks, among other things, an order that the firm stop selling Zen Magnets™ Rare Earth Magnet Balls, notify the public of the defect and offer consumers a full refund.

Eleven manufacturers and/or importers of sets of small, powerful, individual magnets, all of which are made in China, have voluntarily agreed to the CPSC staff's requests that they stop the manufacture, import, distribution and sale of their magnet products. Zen Magnets and Maxfield & Oberton (importer of Buckyballs® and Buckycubes™) are the only companies that have refused to comply, to date.

Zen Magnets are powerful, chrome-plated, rare earth magnet balls about 5 millimeters in diameter that are made in China and sold online in sets of 72, 216, and 1,728.

The complaint explains that when two or more magnets are swallowed, they can pinch or trap the intestinal walls or other digestive tissue between them resulting in acute and long-term health consequences. Magnets that attract through the intestines result in progressive tissue injury. Such conditions can lead to infection, sepsis and possibly death. Medical professionals may not be aware of the dangers posed by ingestion and the corresponding need for immediate medical intervention in such cases, exacerbating the life-threatening internal injuries.

The complaint alleges that the Commission has received reports of tweens and teenagers using similar products to mimic piercings of the tongue, lip or cheek which have resulted in incidents where the product is unintentionally inhaled and swallowed.

The complaint alleges that in 2009 and 2010, the firm advertised and marketed the product as "fun to play with" strong rare earth magnets that "look good on cute people." It further alleges that in October 2011, the staff notified the firm that the product did not comply with the federal mandatory toy standard, ASTM Standard F963-08. The standard requires that such magnets not be marketed for children younger than 14.

The complaint also alleges that the firm included a small slip of paper in some of the models that read:

"Warning: DO NOT SWALLOW MAGNETS. How old do you have to be to play with these? Dunno. 14 years old in the U.S. for a strong magnetic toy, unless it's not a toy, then no age limit, but they're fun magnets spheres (sic), aren't they a toy? Unless it's a "science kit" then the government age recommendation is 8+. But really, it's whatever age at which a person stops swallowing non-foods."

In 2011, Zen Magnets began to advertise their product as a "magnetic science kit." While the packaging warns that "strong magnets can cause fatal intestinal pinching," and advises to "keep away from kids and pets who don't understand these dangers," it also cautions consumers to "place swallowing magnets on your don't do list along with breathing water, drinking poison, and running into traffic."

The complaint explains that recently, the firm posted on its website that "CPSC recommends minimum age of 14."

The Commission staff alleges in its complaint that Zen Magnets warning and labeling are defective because they do not effectively communicate the hazard associated with ingestion of the product. The complaint further alleges that the product's design and packaging are also defective because they fail to prevent children from gaining access to the product, and do not allow parents or caregivers to know readily if a magnet is missing and is potentially within the reach of a young child. The complaint alleges that once separated from the packaging, the individual magnets themselves display no warning against ingestion or aspiration, and the small size of the individual magnets precludes the addition of such a warning.

The Commission staff proposed the administrative complaint against Zen Magnets after discussions with the company failed to result in a voluntary recall plan that CPSC staff considered adequate. CPSC staff seeks the remedies outlined in the complaint to stop further incidents and injuries to children.

Sunday, August 19 2012 11:58

Written by RiverheadLOCAL

Children's Pajamas Recalled by My Clothes Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Children's Pajamas

Units: About 1,100

Importer: My Clothes Inc., of Montgomery, Ala.

Hazard: The pajamas fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children's sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injury to children.

Incidents/Injuries: None

Description: Two types of pajamas are being recalled: a long-sleeved nightgown and a set consisting of a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. The long-sleeved nightgown, Style 14, is cotton knit with multi-colored polka dots. The sleeves and hem are ruffled. The shirt and pants set, Style 15 or Style 314RG, is cotton with a red and white gingham print pattern and white piping on the collar, sleeves and pant legs. The shirt has four buttons. The garments were sold in sizes 12 months through size 14. The style number and the words "PJs by My Clothes" are printed on tags sewn into the center back of the gown, the neck of the shirt and the rear waistband of the pants.

Sold at: Children's boutiques and specialty retailers and online nationwide from August 2011 through December 2011 for between $35 and $45.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Children should stop wearing the recalled sleepwear immediately and consumers should return it to the retailer where they purchased the pajamas for a full refund, exchange or store credit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact My Clothes Inc. at (855) 776-6641 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or by e-mail at info@pjsbymyclothesinc.com, or visit the firm's website at www.pjsbymyclothesinc.com (pdf).