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Household Items

Maytag Expands Recall of Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

Maytag refrigeratorsName of Product: Maytag, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand refrigerators

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator's compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 23 additional reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including four reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Maytag refrigeratorsDescription: The recall includes certain Maytag, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner. The model numbers can be found here.

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from September 2000 through May 2004 for between about $350 and $1,600.

Maytag refrigeratorsRemedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and if so, to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.repair.maytag.com. (9-02-09)

Pella Recalls Casement Windows Due to Impact Hazard

Name of Product: Architect Series and 850 Series Casement Windows

Manufacturer: Pella Corp., of Pella, Iowa

Pella casement windowHazard: The hinge can break, causing the window sash to fall out, posing a risk of injury to persons beneath the window.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm is aware of one report of the hinge breaking, causing the sash to fall. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Architect Series® and 850 Series casement windows. The windows were sold in a variety of sizes and typically contain a heavier window glaze such as the HurricaneShield Impact-Resistant glass.

Sold by: Authorized distributors nationwide and Home Improvement Stores in Florida from September 2007 through April 2009 for between $500 and $2,000.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the window and contact Pella to schedule a free repair. Owners have received direct mail notification of this recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pella at (800) 374-4758 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.pella.com. (9-02-09)

Frigidaire and Kenmore Smoothtop Electric Ranges Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric RangesName of Product: Certain Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges

Manufacturer: Frigidaire, a division of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga.

Hazard: Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Frigidaire has received 126 reports of incidents, including four reports of minor burns and two reports of minor property damage.

Description: This recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. The model and serial numbers are included in the recall can be found here.

Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric RangesThe model and serial number can be found by opening the range drawer at the base of the unit.

Sold at: Sears and other national chain and independent retailers nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled ranges immediately and contact Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Frigidaire at (800) 449-9812 between 8 a.m. and midnight ET Monday through Saturday or visit the firm's recall Web site at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com. Consumers who purchased their products at Sears should call Sears at (800) 449-9810 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday. (9-02-09)

Violation of Federal Mattress Flammability Standard Prompts Recall of Sofa-bed Mattresses by IKEA

Name of Product: IKEA KARLSTAD sofa-beds

Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Ikea Karlstad sofa bed mattressHazard: The mattress and seat cushions intended to be used as a mattress fail to meet the mandatory federal open flame standard for mattresses, posing a fire hazard to consumers. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: IKEA KARLSTAD sofa-bed frame has article number 801-215-12, supplier number 20789 with date stamps (YYWW) 0845 through 0927 located on a label attached to the underside of the sofa-bed frame. The mattress topper is not affected by this recall.

Sold at: IKEA stores nationwide from November 2008 through July 2009 for about $850.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the mattress and cushions and contact IKEA or visit the Returns and Exchange Department at their local IKEA store to arrange free installation of a replacement mattress and seat cushions.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ikea-usa.com. (9-02-09)

Wal-Mart Announces Recall Expansion of Durabrand DVD Players Due to Fire Hazard

Wal-Mart Durabrand DVD playerName of Product: Durabrand DVD Players. (The August 20 recall of the silver Durabrand DVD player has been expanded to include the pink- and purple-colored versions of the same DVD player.)

Units: About 4.2 million (1.5 million were previously announced)

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

Hazard: The DVD player's circuit board can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Wal-Mart Durabrand DVD playerIncidents/Injuries: Wal-Mart has received 14 reports of DVD players overheating, seven of which have resulted in fires that caused property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves a single DVD player with a remote control. The device was sold in three colors – silver, pink and purple and has a U-shaped opening at the top to insert the DVD. The DVD players were sold under the following UPC codes and model numbers:

Silver: UPC 1799901002, Model No. 1002
Pink: UPC 1799934100, Model No. 1002 PINK
Purple: UPC 1799932100, Model No. 1002 PUR

Wal-Mart Durabrand DVD playerSold exclusively at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2006 through July 2009 for about $29.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the nearest Wal-Mart for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Wal-Mart Stores at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.walmartstores.com. (9-02-09)

Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Recall to Repair Window Blinds by Vertical Land

Vertical Land blindsName of Products: Horizontal and Vertical Blinds and Cellular Shades

Manufacturer: Vertical Land Inc., of Panama City Beach, Fla.

Hazard: Horizontal Blinds: The blinds do not have inner cord stop devices to prevent the accessible inner cords from being pulled out. If an inner cord is pulled out, a child can become entangled in the loop and strangle.

Vertical Blinds: Strangulations can occur if a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop formed by the bead chain or by the cord with a weighted device.

Cellular Shades: Strangulations can occur if a child's neck becomes entangled on the shade's free-standing looped cord.

Vertical Land blindsIncidents/Injuries: In May 2006, CPSC received a report of a 4-year-old girl from Pensacola, Fla., who strangled in the loop of a vertical blind cord that was not attached to the wall or floor.

Description: This recall involves all Vertical Land custom-made vertical and cellular window coverings that do not have a cord tensioning device and horizontal blinds that do not have inner cord stop devices. A sticker identification label can be found on the head rail of some of the window coverings, which lists the company's name, address and telephone number.

Vertical Land blindsSold at: Vertical Land stores in Panama City and Pensacola, Fla., from January 1992 through December 2006 for between $60 and $200 (depending on the size of the blind).

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Vertical Land to receive a free retrofit kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Vertical Land at (800) 423-8653 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. (9-02-09)

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Roller Shades by Lutron Shading Solutions

Lutron Shading roller shadesName of Product: Roller Shades

Distributor: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur if the shade's looped bead chain is not attached to the wall or the floor and a child's neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves custom-ordered made-to-measure manual roller shades. The shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics and sizes. They have a label on an adhesive strip that connects the shade fabric to the roller tube that reads "Lutron Shading Solutions" and "800-446-1503." The shade needs to be removed from the brackets and unrolled completely to Lutron Shading roller shadesaccess the label. The shade was sold with an orange, black and white hang tag warning consumers that "young children can STRANGLE in cord and bead chain loops." However, the hang tag may have been discarded upon installation. Nearly all shades were professionally installed.

Sold at: Specialty dealers and Expo Design Centers nationwide from January 2000 through April 2009 for between $200 and $2,000 per shade.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately check their window coverings to see if the tension device is attached to the cord and installed into the wall or floor. If not attached, immediately stop using the window coverings and contact Lutron Electronics to receive a free repair kit. If the consumer has difficulty installing the tensioning device, contact Lutron for further instructions.

Lutron Shading roller shadesConsumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lutron at (866) 793-4270 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.lutron.com/cordedshades.

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords. (9-02-09)

Risk of Strangulation Prompts Recall to Repair Victoria Classics Roman Shades, Sold Exclusively by Target Stores

Target Victoria Classics Roman shadesName of Product: Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo Roman Shades

Importer: Victoria Classics of Edison, N.J.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Exposed operating cords can knot or tangle creating a strangulation loop. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Target Victoria Classics Roman shadesDescription: This recall includes two styles of shades – Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo roman Shades – all have a small sewn-in label on the back that reads "home, Made in China." The shades measure about 64 inches long. The widths of the thermal shades are 23, 27, 31 and 35 inches and were sold in coffee, red, ivory and tan. The widths of the Matchstick roman shades are 23, 27, 31, 35 and 36 inches and are brown.

Sold at: Target stores and at Target.com nationwide from September 2008 through June 2009 for between $15 and $40.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled roman shades and contact Victoria Classics to receive a free repair kit.

Target Victoria Classics Roman shadesConsumer Contact: For additional information, contact Victoria Classics toll-free at (800) 583-9845 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET daily, or visit the firm's Web site at www.victoriaclassics.com.

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman shades and roll-up blinds in their homes. If looped pull cords, exposed inner cords or exposed lifting loops are found and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing the blinds or shades with products that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords. (9-02-09)

Near Strangulation of Children Prompts Recall of Roman Shades; Sold Exclusively at Pottery Barn Kids

pottery barn kids roman shadesName of Product: Roman Shades

Distributor: Pottery Barn Kids/Williams-Sonoma, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been six reports of children becoming entangled in the exposed inner cord on the back of the shade between March 2006 and July 2008. Four children were found with cords entangled around their necks. Scissors were used to release two of these children. Two children were found with red marks around their necks after having freed themselves. No permanent injuries were sustained.

Description: This recall involves all sizes and colors of Pottery Barn Kids roman shades with exposed inner cords on the back. Two sewn-in labels are located at the bottom edge of the shade. The smaller label identifies the manufacturer as "pottery barn kids" while the second larger orange, black and white label warns that "Cords and bead chains can loop around child's neck and STRANGLE." Roman shades with a fabric covering over the cords are not being recalled.

pottery barn kids roman shadesSold at: Pottery Barn Kids catalog nationwide and through the firm's Web site at www.potterybarnkids.com from January 2003 through May 2007 for between $30 and $60.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled roman shades and contact Pottery Barn Kids to receive a merchandise card for the purchase value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (800) 492-1949 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.potterybarnkids.com.

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords. (9-02-09)

Near Strangulation Prompts Recall of Roman Blinds, Sold Exclusively at IKEA

ikea melina roman shadeName of Product: MELINA Roman Blinds

Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa.

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. The Roman blind has a continuous looped bead chain that when not attached to the wall or floor, hangs loosely by the blind, posing a strangulation hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and IKEA received a report of a 2-year-old boy who suffered a near strangulation. His mother found him hanging from the looped bead chain.

ikea melina roman shadeDescription: This recall includes all sizes/colors of MELINA Roman blinds. These blinds have a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name (MELINA), 5-digit supplier number 19395, four digit date stamp (YYWW) and the words "Made in Taiwan." On the bottom edge of the blind there is a sewn-in orange/white safety warning label. The blinds are made from 100 percent polyester.

Sold at: IKEA stores nationwide from August 2006 through June 2008 for between $20 and $40.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman blinds and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.

ikea melina roman shadeConsumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ikea-usa.com.

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords. (9-02-09)

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