US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Recent recalls and product safety news

Lasko Products to Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defective Fans (Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:00:00 GMT) Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa., has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, settles allegations that the company failed to immediately report incidents about its defective portable fans.

Boys Reversible Vests Recalled by Bon-Ton Stores Due to Choking Hazard (Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:15:00 GMT) The zipper tabs on these vests fail to meet the children's torques test standards, posing a choking hazard to children.

Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers (Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:15:00 GMT) The books contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Fire Alarm Control Panels Recalled by Notifier Due to Alert Failure (Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:15:00 GMT) The software in the fire alarm system could fail to process an alarm condition which could result in the system failing to respond in the event of a fire.

Atomic Skis USA Recalls Ski Bindings Due to Unexpected Release, Fall Hazard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:00:00 GMT) The heel housing of the bindings can crack, causing the binding to release unexpectedly. This can cause the skier to lose control or fall and suffer injuries.

Teknion Recalls to Repair Office Chairs Due to Fall Hazard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:00:00 GMT) The bolts holding the seat to the frame can loosen and separate, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Magura USA Recalls Bicycle Suspension Forks Due to Crash Hazard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:00:00 GMT) The front bicycle suspension fork can break, causing the rider to crash.

Woodstock Percussion Inc. Recalls Toy Drums Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:45:00 GMT) Surface paint on the recalled toy drums contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Munire Recalls "Newport" Cribs and Matching Furniture Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT) The red paint which is underneath the black finish paint on some of the cribs and matching furniture exceeds federal lead limits. If ingested by young children lead can cause adverse health effects.

Gardener's Supply Company Recalls Candle-Powered Carousels Due to Fire Hazard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT) The candle holder placement on the base of the carousels is too close to the structure, allowing the candle flame to come in contact and ignite different parts of the carousel, including the fans, trees and deer, posing a fire hazard.

Hallmark Recalls Jumbo Snow Globes Due to Fire Hazard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT) When exposed to sunlight, the snow globes can act as a magnifying glass and ignite nearby combustible materials, posing a fire hazard.

Foursquare Recalls Hooded Youth Jackets with Drawstrings Due to Strangulation Hazard (Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT) The jackets have a drawstring through hood which poses a strangulation hazard to children.

CPSC & Target Announce New In-Store Recall Notification System (Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:45:00 GMT) The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is joining Target, of Minneapolis, Minn., today in announcing a new notification system for communicating product recalls in Target stores nationwide. Target's innovative safety and recall notification program involves posting signs throughout its stores that direct guests to gift registry kiosks near the Guest Service desk to learn about recalled products.

Children's Jewelry Sold Exclusively in Hawaii Recalled by Aloha 808 Trading Due to Risk of Lead Exposure (Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT) The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Fingerhut Recalls Chef's Mark Cookware Sets Due to Burn Hazard (Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT) The handles on the cookware can break, posing a burn hazard to consumers.