If you bought a Halloween-themed flashlight from Target to illuminate your trick-or-treating path, better bring it back to the store for a refund --- or risk spending Fright Night in the emergency room.

About 610,000 of mini-flashlights and flashlights with stencils were sold in August and September, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Since then, there have been eight reports of the lights overheating and melting, and one report  that someone's hand got burned.

For more information, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site or call Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

You might have picked up a Handy Switch wireless light switch online, off an infomercial or at a CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond or some other store, but wherever you got yours, you should stop using it immediately.

About 1.3 million switches were sold by the Idea Village Product Corp. between March 2007 through July or August for about $10 to $15. Since then, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 14 reports of these switches overheating, and in nine cases they caused a fire. In five of those situations there was minor property damage (like burned curtains).

To be sure you're talking about the right product, check that is has the model number KS-080 on the back of the receiver.

After you unplug the white plastic switch, contact the company to receive a free remedy (a cap for the switch) in the mail. You could also call 1-888-655-4339 from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), Monday through Friday.

Here are details about how you can report product problems to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

(photo: Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

Honda is expanding a recall on certain 2001 Honda Accords and Civics due to a potential defect in the airbags.

About 440,000 additional vehicles are included in the expanded recall, which was first announced in Nov. 2008. The recall requires the replacement of the driver's steering-wheel-mounted airbag inflator.

In some vehicles, airbag inflators can produce over-pressurization of the driver's (front) airbag inflator mechanism during airbag deployment. If an affected inflator deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion material, possibly causing an injury or fatality to people in the car.

Affected consumers will get a recall notice in the mail over the next few months. The notice will include further instructions for scheduling a repair.

Owners may also confirm their vehicle's recall status by visiting the Honda "Owner Link" website at http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/HondaRecall.asp or the Acura "My Acura" website at http://www.owners.acura.com/recalls.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cars, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

On the heels of a recall of 400,000 Simplicity drop-side cribs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of nearly 1 million play yards made by Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.

The yards, which were sold under the brand names Kolcraft, Carter’s, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bear and Eric Carle, have side rails that can fail to latch properly, causing a fall hazard, according to the CPSC. There have been nearly 350 reports of this happening, with 21 injuries to children reported (including one concussion).

The model numbers and pictures of affected units are available on the CPSC's Kolcraft play yard recall Web site. They were sold at retailers and online from January 2000 through January 2009.

Some of the models have changing tables, vibrating areas or parent organizers. 

Continue reading "Recalls! Kolcraft play yards and Kidde smoke alarms" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

UPDATED: Check this CPSC chart of Simplicity recalls to confirm whether your crib model is covered by the July 2009 recall. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of 400,000 Simplicity Drop Side cribs sold between January 2005 and June 2009, according to the Associated Press.

As the picture from the CPSC shows, the drop side can detach when the hardware breaks, allowing a child to become trapped and potentially suffocate.

One child died as a result of entrapment, and there are 25 other reports of the drop side detatching, according to the CPSC.

Stores will provide refunds or store credit for the cribs. UPDATED: No receipt necessary! Thanks, Jolene, for the question.

Unfortunately, this is a familiar problem ...

Continue reading "Simplicity crib recall: spread the word" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 4:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Consumer safety, Recalls
        

More and more contaminated peanut butter products are being yanked from the shelves this week after a wave of reports of salmonella across the country that has killed six people and sickened hundreds of others, according to the Food and Drug Administration and news reports.

The products all stem from contamination at a Peanut Corporation of America plant in Georgia. But don't toss that jar of Jif in your cupboard --- the plant sells peanut paste to companies that make peanut butter products, such as the Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter, or institutional quantities of peanut butter that go to nursing homes and other places. It doesn't sell the jars that go on supermarket shelves.

The FDA is maintaining a searchable database of contaminated peanut butter products for consumers.

Companies such as General Mills and supermarkets such as Safeway have recalled products, and yesterday Clif Bars and Luna Bars made with peanut butter were the latest to be recalled, in the following flavors and "best by" dates:

Continue reading "Naughty Business of the Week: peanut butter recalls" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Food, Naughty businesses/NBotW, Recalls
        

See this jumbo snow globe on the left?

Sure it looks festive and harmless. Just look at the cute little flecks of fake snow flying about the snowman's glass belly.

But when exposed to sunlight, the snow globe's torso apparently becomes a powerful magnifying glass that can ignite nearby combustible materials. So says a recent warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which issued a recall of the 7,000 units sold at Hallmark Gold Crown stores in October and November this year.

Apparently, Hallmark received two reports from consumers who claimed the jumbo snow globes ignited nearby materials. The firm then worked with the CPSC to announce a voluntary recall of the item.

The globe, which is made in China, can be returned to any Hallmark store for a full refund of the $100 it cost, the CPSC said.

On a side note, why does a snow globe cost $100? And who are these 7,000 people who actually shelled out 100 bucks for a snow globe?

Posted by Gus Sentementes at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

Here's some good news if you're shopping for toys this year.

After recalling more than 21 million tainted toys last year, Mattel Inc. has agreed to a $12 million settlement with 39 states over lead contamination in toys made in China.

Maryland will receive nearly $235,000 as a result.

The toy company will also meet new federal lead standards early, before the regulations take effect next year. Mattel is lowering the acceptable level of lead from 600 parts per million to 90 parts per million.

How are you protecting yourself and your gift recipients from tainted toys this year? 

Continue reading "Naughty Business of the Week: Mattel settles with states over lead-tainted toys" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Consumer safety, Holiday shopping, Recalls, Shopping
        

News from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Toy Police Cars Recalled by TCB Imports Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard.

Four-Wheeled Ride-On Vehicles Recalled by Razor USA Due to Throttle Controller Defect

Razor USA Recalls PowerWing Three-Wheeled Scooters Due to Laceration Hazard

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Recalls
        

A strain of Salmonella called Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund has infected several brands and varieties of dry dog and cat food produced by Mars Petcare at its Everson, Pennsylvania plant between Feb. 18 and July 29, according to Consumer Reports safety blog.

The recall affects food distributed to 31 states and includes brands like Pedigree, Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Wegman's, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel.

Check out the full list of the tainted pet food brands at the Mars Petcare site here.

Continue reading "Argh. A Schwarzengrund recall" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety, Food, Pets, Recalls
        

At the rate we're going, we're probably going to exceed last year's record-setting number of product recalls, sez the Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports.

Thus far, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has had to call back nearly 10 million products in the first quarter of this year due to 121 recalls. If this trend continues, it will mean at least 800 total by year's end --- a 70 percent increase over 2007.

What's so offensive is that some of the products recalled violate laws that have been on the books for years. If manufacturers are flouting existing rules, how can regulators protect us against new threats posed by emerging technology?

Full text of the Consumers Union announcement below the jump: 

Continue reading "Recalls on pace to break last year's record" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

RadioJamaica reported this week that the Consumer Affairs Commission cautioned consumers to be on the look out for a toy labeled "Fart Bomb" that is packaged in aluminum foil.

On Tuesday, more than 30 children of the Bradford Preparatory School in Buff Bay, Portland were hospitalized after a dangerous chemical escaped in a classroom after a child reportedly opened the package. The students experienced vomiting, difficulty breathing and diarrhea as a result of the chemical, RadioJamaica said.

Follow the jump to see the directions on the fart toy.

Continue reading "Recalled: Stink Fart Bomb causes nausea and vomiting" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued three toy recalls this week for problems that sound awfully familiar.

Children could ingest or aspirate magnets from the 7,000 Battat Magnabild Magnetic Building Toys or Sets sold between 2005 and this year. To get a prepaid mailer to return the product, contact Battat Inc. at (800) 247-6144 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or visit the firm’s Web site at www.battatco.com. 

Continue reading "More toy recalls" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Humane Society of the United States filed suit today against the U.S. Department of Agriculture to close a loophole that the groups says contributed to the recent recall of 143 million pounds of beef -- the largest food recall in the country's history.

Remember when we told you about the video that led to the Westland/Hallmark recall last week?The HSUS investigation showed animals too sick or injured to stand or walk -- called "downers" by industry -- being kicked, beaten, dragged with chains, shocked with electric prods, sprayed in the face with hoses, and rammed by forklifts in efforts to get them to their feet to pass USDA inspection.

Well, HSUS says that the Westland/Hallmark incident was able to take place because in 2007, the USDA quietly reversed course on a 2004 emergency rule to prevent downed cattle from being slaughtered for human consumption. The reversal relaxed USDA rules to permit some crippled cows to be slaughted for our food system.

Continue reading "Humane Society sues over USDA loophole" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food, Naughty businesses/NBotW, Recalls
        

Sears, Roebuck & Co. has agreed to a $546 million recall that will fix household stoves that can tip over onto people, consumer advocacy groups Public Citizen and U.S.PIRG announced today.

Since 1980, at least 33 people have been killed and 84 have been injured in accidents involving unsecured stoves sold by retailers, which can crush, scald or burn children who tug on them or people who place heavy objects on open oven doors. (The settlement doesn't include people with potential claims against Sears for personal injury, wrongful death or property damage caused by stoves that tipped over.)

Under the terms of the settlement, consumers who purchased a range from Sears and had the company install it between July 2, 2000, and Sept. 18, 2007, are entitled to have a Sears technician install a range stability device. Or, they can choose to receive a $50 gift card that can be used toward the purchase of a new Sears range. People who installed brackets on their own are entitled to reimbursement up to $100, Public Citizen said.

In a press conference, the advocacy groups said that Sears, manufacturers and the government have known about this potential danger for more than 20 years, according to documents from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Apparently, manufacturers started using lighter-gauge steel in the early 80s to reduce costs. But the change resulted in a tendency for lighter-weight appliances to tip over when weight was placed on the oven door.

Continue reading "Sears to fix killer stoves" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Recalls
        

Although USDA officials say that health concerns in this situation aren't as serious, the recall action was taken due to "egregious violations to humane handling requirements and the prohibition of non-ambulatory disabled cattle from entering the food supply." By law, cattle that cannot walk are banned from the human meat supply. Also, the USDA says that "Plant employees are required to handle animals in a humane manner that minimizes excitement, discomfort and stress."

As you can see in this video, shot by the Humane Society of the United States, there were some pretty clear violations taking place. Hope you ate lunch already because there are some graphic and troubling images.

Continue reading "The video that led to Hallmark/Westland meat recall" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection, Consumer safety, Food, Recalls
        

Whenever I get a crick in my neck or back from sleeping with a pillow that's too fluffy (yea, I like my pillows nice and flat. you got a problem with that?), I use a heating pad on it to relax the muscle. If it still hurts and I've got a lot of running around to do, I use one of those sticky self-heating patches that I wear for a couple hours.

I have no idea if it really works. All that counts is that my brain is convinced that it works.

Now, I find out that you can get first, second and third degree burns from those Icy Hot Therapy pads. I have used these when I've been in a bind. They're hot (and I'm not talking Paris Hilton's hot). But who knew they were that hot!?!

More than 200 people complained. Now manufacturer Chattem Inc. is recalling three products:

Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat – Back

Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat – Arm, Neck and Leg

Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat – Arm, Neck, and Leg

You're not supposed to keep those patches on for more than 8 hours, but I know I've

Continue reading "Icy Hot Hot Hot!" »

Posted by Dan Thanh Dang at 4:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Recalls