Houston, We Have a Problem

Hobbico Inc. Recalls Batteries Used In Radio-Controlled Helicopters Due to Fire Hazard

All ePregnancy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:12:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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.

Name of Product: Batteries Used In Radio-Controlled Helicopter Kits

Units: About 11,000

Importer/Distributor: Hobbico Inc., of Champaign, Ill.

Hazard: The rechargeable battery can overheat and catch fire while charging, igniting nearby combustible materials. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Hobbico has received 28 reports of batteries overheating and/or melting, including 27 reports of flames and minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Electrifly lithium-polymer batteries (part #GPMP0401) sold individually or with the Heli-Max Axe CP-L radio-controlled helicopter kits. The kit includes a 23-inch long plastic helicopter, a battery, a radio transmitter, a balance charger, a car adapter, an AC wall adapter, decals that read “HMX”, “AXE” and “Heli-Max” and training gear. “Electrifly” and “GPMP0401” are printed on the battery.

Sold at: Hobby Stores nationwide and online from November 2007 through March 2008 for about $35. The helicopter kits were sold for $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries and contact Hobbico for instructions on returning their battery for a free replacement battery.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hobbico toll-free at (866) 462-2426 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company’s recall Web sites at www.helimaxrc.com or www.electrifly.com to register for the recall.

Children’s Board Skirts Recalled By Chelsea & Scott Ltd. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

All ePregnancy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:10:00 GMT

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sun Smarties™ Children’s Board Skirts

Units: About 600

Manufacturer: Chelsea & Scott Ltd., of Lake Bluff, Ill.

Hazard: The paint on the grommets of the skirts contains an excess level of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The Sun Smarties™ board skirts are peach microfiber with an embroidered flower accent and back pocket. Item number 13926 HIBI is printed on the care label inside the back of the waistband. The skirts were sold in girls sizes 12 months to 4T. The skirts have six grommets, four on the front of the waistband and two on the back pocket.

Sold Exclusively on: www.onestepahead.com from May 1, 2008 through May 9, 2008 for about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these skirts away from young children and return them to Chelsea & Scott Ltd to receive a replacement skirt or refund. Consumers will be sent a postage paid envelope from Chelsea & Scott Ltd.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Chelsea & Scott Ltd toll-free at (866) 271-4536 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.onestepahead.com. Consumers can also email the firm at customerservice@onestepahead.com

Fisher-Price Recalls Learning Pots and Pans™ Toys Due to Choking Hazard

All ePregnancy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:22:00 GMT

Name of Product: Learning Pots & Pans™ Toys

Units: About 15,000

Importer: Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, NY

Hazard: Missing screws in the blue toy pan can cause the clear plastic cover to come loose and release small balls, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Fisher-Price has received five reports of the plastic covers detaching and releasing the small balls. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Learning Pots and Pans™ toy sets with stackable pots and pans, a lid and shape-sorting blocks. The toys have light and sound features that operate on three AA batteries. Model number G6685 is located on the bottom of the blue pan.

Sold at: Discount department and toy stores nationwide from October 2007 to August 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and examine the bottom of the blue pan. The pan should contain six screws. If all six screws are installed, no further action is necessary. If any screws are missing, the consumer should contact Fisher-Price to arrange for the return of the blue pan for a replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at (888) 521-0820 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com

Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Raw Blue Due to Strangulation Hazard

All ePregnancy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:18:00 GMT

Name of Product: Hooded Sweatshirts

Units: About 5,740

Distributor: Raw Blue Sportswear, of Moonachie, NJ

Hazard: The sweatshirts have drawstrings through the hood which pose a strangulation hazard to young children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The Raw Blue hooded sweatshirts were sold in three styles: smack print, kapow print and comic magazine print) and various colors. The sweatshirts have style numbers 7FT5655, 7FT5455, and 7FT5515. Style numbers are printed on the garment’s sales tag.

Sold at: TJ Maxx, Mega Trends, Moonstone Shirts and MP Trading stores nationwide from July 2007 through December 2007 for between $30 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard. Consumers can return the garment to the place of purchase or Raw Blue Sportswear for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Raw Blue Sportwear at (800) 638-1537 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Request Jeans Due to Strangulation Hazard

All ePregnancy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:13:00 GMT

Name of Product: Drawstring Hoodies

Units: About 1,200

Manufacturer: Request Jeans, of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The hoodies have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the short sleeve hoodie (Item number 11188SG) and the Long sleeve hoodie (Item number 11218LG). The short sleeve hoodie has “Request” printed all over and was sold in olive green and light blue. The long sleeve hoodie has a butterfly design on the back of the hoodie and on the chest and was sold in white and olive green.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and other retail stores nationwide from January 2007 through March 2007 for about $36.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garment to either the place of purchase or to Request Jeans to receive a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Request Jeans collect at (212) 302-0077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Children’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled By Kids with Character Due to Strangulation Hazard

All ePregnancy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:11:00 GMT

Name of Product: BongoCheetah Girls Jackets

Units: About 1,200

Distributor: Kids with Character LLC, of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The garments have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled garments are Bongo Cheetah Girls Jackets with style number 8N6003 and RN number 119132 printed on the care label. The jackets were sold in girls sizes 4 through 6X.

Sold at: Marshalls stores nationwide from November 2007 through August 2008 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garment to either Marshall’s retail store or Kids with Character for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kids with Character collect at (212) 695-6343 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Nine Firms Agree To Pay More Than $350,000 in Civil Penalties For Failing To Timely Report Drawstrings In Children’s Outerwear

All ePregnancy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:33:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that nine firms have agreed to pay a total of $355,000 in civil penalties. The penalties settle allegations that the firms knowingly failed to report to the CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that their children’s hooded sweatshirts, jackets, or sweaters were sold with drawstrings at the hood and neck. These products, which the firms eventually recalled, pose a strangulation hazard that can cause death to children. The settlements have been provisionally accepted.

The firms paying the penalties are:

AJ Blue LLC, of New York City, N.Y.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
A&R Knitwear Inc., of New York City, N.Y.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
Cobmex Inc., of Lakewood, Calif.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
Liberty Apparel Co. Inc., of New York City, N.Y.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
Rebelette International Trading Corp., of South El Monte, Calif.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
Scope Imports Inc., of Houston, Texas: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
Sears Holdings Management Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
Siegfried & Parzival Inc., of City of Industry, Calif.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)
Vacation Clothing Exchange Inc., d/b/a Basix USA, of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.: Recall | Settlement Agreement (pdf)

In February 1996, CPSC issued drawstring guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts. In May 2006, CPSC’s Office of Compliance announced (pdf) that children’s upper outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or neck would be regarded as defective and a substantial risk of injury to young children.

Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates a federal safety standard.

In agreeing to settle the matters, the firms deny CPSC's allegations that they knowingly violated the law.

Baby Appleseed Recalls Cribs Due to Fall Hazard

All ePregnancy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:26:00 GMT

Name of Product: Davenport Cribs

Units: About 500

Importer: Baby Appleseed, of City of Industry, Calif.

Hazard: The cribs fail to meet the federal safety standards for cribs. The cribs have a two mattress support system. The secondary mattress support, used for the lowest position, does not meet the full 26 inch minimum height in its lowest position, allowing children inside to crawl over the railing, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall includes Davenport crib models that begin with the model numbers 273-xxxx-xxxx and have manufacture dates on or before August 2007 printed on a label located on the right side of the lower inner panel of the crib. The recalled cribs have two mattress support systems-a metal one and a wooden one. Newer Davenport cribs with model numbers beginning with 244-xxxx-xxxx that have one mattress support are not included in the recall.

Sold at: Specialty juvenile product stores nationwide from December 2006 through September 2007 for between $600 and $800.

Manufactured in: Vietnam

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled cribs in the third lowest position, which uses the wooden mattress support, and contact Baby Appleseed to receive a repair kit. Consumers who are currently using the crib with the metal mattress support in the top or middle positions can continue to use the crib in those positions while awaiting a repair kit. (NOTE: Repair Kits will be available from the firm in mid-August 2008)

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Baby Appleseed at (877) 348-2199 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.babyappleseed.com

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards Recalls Cribs Due to Fall Hazard

All ePregnancy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:16:00 GMT

Name of Product: Cribs

Units: About 1,300

Manufacturer: Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards, of Toronto, Canada

Hazard: The cribs fail to meet the federal safety standards. The distance between the mattress support bracket in the lowest position and the top of the side rail in the highest position is less than the required 26 inches, posing a fall hazard to children who climb over the railing.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall includes the following wooden full-size cribs: “Enchantment” (model #210), “Hush a Bye” (model #215), “Once upon a time” (model #320) and “Rock a bye” (model #1900-350). Only date codes from 0306 through 0308 are included in this recall. “Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards”, the model number and date code are printed on a label located on the bottom inside of the right side.

Sold at: Juvenile product stores from March 2006 through March 2008 for between $500 and $650.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the cribs immediately and contact Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards to receive instructions on how to re-install the support brackets to eliminate the hazard.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards toll-free at (888) 661-8201 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET Friday and Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mhcfurniture.com

Enchantment - Model 210

Hush a Bye - Model 215

Once upon a time - Model 320

Rock a Bye - Model 1900-350

Wooden Toys Recalled by Earthentree Due To Choking and Strangulation Hazards

All ePregnancy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:10:00 GMT

Name of Product: Wooden Toys

Units: About 375

Manufacturer: Earthentree of Kirkland, Wash.

Hazard: The recalled toys contain small parts or can break into small parts, posing a choking hazard. The recalled rattles violate the federal rattle standard. Some of the toys also have a string longer than 12 inches, which can pose a strangulation hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves a variety of wooden toys including egg shakers (maracas), pull toys, rattles, and trains. The toys are painted glossy red, orange, green, brown, yellow or natural wood.

Sold at: Earthentree’s Web site, Fairs, Trade Shows and retail stores nationwide from December 2007 through May 2008 for about $7 to $34.

Manufactured in: India

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Earthentree for exchange or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Earthentree at (800) 963-1593 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.earthentree.com/recall.asp

Small Maracas (Egg Shaker)	Large Maracas (Egg Shaker)
Pom Pom Rail Train	Duby and Duba Pull Toy
Duby Duck Pull Toy	Katerpillar Pull Toy
Kiddo	Rattleman
Six Ring Rattle	Turtle Family Pull Toy
Cat Rattle	Bear Rattle
Tuttu Turtle Pull Toy	Choo Choo Train

Children’s Stuffed Toys Recalled By Daiso Due to Choking Hazard

All ePregnancy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:08:00 GMT

Name of Product: Stuffed Toy Dogs

Units: About 40

Importer: Daiso LLC, of Burlingame, Calif.

Hazard: The stuffed toys contain small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled toys are crème colored stuffed dogs with black eyes and nose. Some of the toys have brown spots on the back. A tag attached to the toy is written in Japanese language with UPC codes: 4947678264166 and 4947678246063.

Sold at: Daiso retail stores in California and Washington State from October 2007 through December 2007 for about $3.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the toys and return them to any Daiso retail store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Daiso toll-free at (866) 768-4620 between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.daisollc.com

Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Recalled by Innovage Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Jorge — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:33:00 GMT

Name of Product: "Sky Scrambler" and "The Sharper Image" Wireless Indoor Helicopters

Units: About 685,000

Importer/Distributor: Innovage LLC, of Foothill Ranch, Calif.

Hazard: The rechargeable lithium ion battery inside the helicopters can overheat, catch fire, and ignite nearby combustibles, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Innovage has received two reports of incidents of the toy helicopters igniting, including one burn injury to a consumer’s fingertip.

Description: The "Sky Scrambler" and "The Sharper Image" toy helicopters have yellow, red or blue decals. BH26047 is printed on the Sky Scrambler’s tail. “The Sharper Image” is printed on the tail of “The Sharper Image” helicopters.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers, department stores, drug stores, and other retail stores nationwide, and on the Web from June 2007 through May 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helicopters and contact Innovage for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Innovage toll free at (866) 672-2630 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s Web sites at www.innovage.net and www.copterrecall.org or email the firm at returns@copterrecall.org

The Sky Scrambler Helicopter

The Sharper Image Helicopter

Kids II Recalls Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

Jorge — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:17:00 GMT

Name of Product: Bright Starts Ring Rattles

Units: About 19,000

Distributor: Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga.

Hazard: The tip of the rattle’s antenna, which is attached to a bee figure, can detach and pose a choking hazard to small children.

Incidents/Injuries: Kids II has received two reports of the tip of the antenna detaching from the rattle, including one report that the purple ball from the tip of the antenna was in the baby’s mouth. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The soft toy rattle is a bee with a yellow head, ring-shaped green body, blue/green wings and purple/red antennas. Model number 8534 and date code PA8 are printed on a sewn-in label on the bee’s head.

Sold at: Toy stores, mass merchandisers, and other retail stores nationwide from January 2008 through June 2008 for about $2-3.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled rattles away from small children and contact Kids II to receive a free replacement rattle.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kids II toll-free at (877) 325-7056 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidsii.com

It’s MY Binky Recalls Personalized Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard

Jorge — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:34:00 GMT

Name of Product: It’s My Binky’s Personalized Pacifiers

Units: About 115,000

Importer: It’s My Binky, of Henderson, Nev.

Hazard: The pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: It’s My Binky has received two reports of the pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled pacifiers have "Japlo" imprinted on the front of the pacifier shield at the bottom, center. The pacifiers were sold in blue, white and pink with various words or designs printed on the button of the pacifier. Examples of text and symbols printed on recalled Japlo pacifiers include but are not limited to the following:

BLUE (pacifier w/text)	WHITE (pacifier w/text)	PINK (pacifier w/text)
Image of a skull (no text)	image of a skull (no text)	spoiled
stud muffin	stud muffin	princess
prince charming	prince charming	my mom rocks
my mom rocks	princess	mute button
mute button	my mom rocks	my dad rocks
my dad rocks	mute button	insomniac
momma’s boy	little monster	future ceo
insomniac	future ceo	flirt
future ceo	daddy’s girl	daddy’s girl
little monster	born to shop	born to shop
flirt
bad to the bone

Sold at: Nordstrom and baby boutique retail stores nationwide and online at www.itsmybinky.com from February 2006 through June 2008 for between $5 and $6.

Manufactured in: Malaysia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these pacifiers away from children and return them to the store where purchased or contact the firm if purchased online to receive a free replacement pacifier.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact It’s My Binky toll-free at (888) 689-9444 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday PT or visit the firm’s website at www.itsmybinky.com or e-mail Danielle Riiber at Danielle@itsmybinky.com

Media Contact: Danielle Riiber at (702) 622-6261.

Lip Gloss and Jewelry Sets Sold Exclusively at Wal-Mart Recalled by F.A.F. Inc. Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Jorge — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:58:00 GMT

Name of Product: “Faded Glory” Lip Gloss, Locket, and Bracelet Sets

Units: 30,000

Importer: F.A.F. Inc., of Greenville, R.I.

Distributer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: The lobster claw clasp on the bracelet contains high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled three-piece sets contain a rectangle-shaped lip gloss container, a heart-shaped locket necklace, and a charm bracelet. The following models are included in the recall:

Item	Model Number	UPC
Frog Set	6709-4250	72783357703
Monkey Set	6709-4251	72783357704
Cat Set	6709-4252	72783357705

“Faded Glory”, the model number, and UPC are printed on the product’s hangtag.

Sold at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from May 2008 through June 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the bracelet away from children and return the set to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact F.A.F. Inc. at (800) 949-3311 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.faf.com