- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- article archive
- expert q & a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Seasonal Items
Distributor: Four Star Group USA Inc., of Hopkinton, Mass. They were manufactured in China.
Hazard: Electrical wiring in the lights can overheat, posing a fire hazard to
consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of the recalled lights smoking and/or melting. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled holiday lights are a string of 10 LED bulbs, each covered with a clear, star shape. "Fresh Décor" is printed on the front of the product's packaging; the UPC (#7989390761) is printed on the back, below the bar code.
Sold at: Safeway stores nationwide, including Carrs, Dominick's, Genuardi's, Pak'n Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons, from October 2008 through December 2008 for about $7.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lights and return the product to any Safeway store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Safeway toll-free at (877) 723-3929 (877-SAFEWAY) between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, or contact the retailer where the lights were purchased. (3-26-09)
Name of product: Holiday Ultra-Brite Lights
Distributor: Universal Distribution Center LLC, of Edison, N.J. They were manufactured in China.
Hazard: The lights have undersized wires that can easily pull out of the plugs
and light sockets, becoming exposed. This poses an electric shock and fire hazard
to consumers. No incidents or injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled holiday lights are a string of 50 clear or multicolored bulbs. They were sold in a white and red box with the item number (CH81648 or CH81658) written on the back above the bar code.
Sold by: Discount and dollar stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut from October 2008 through December 2008 for about $2.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lights and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Universal Distribution Centers toll-free at (866) 343-2343 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or contact the retailer where the lights were purchased.
Note: CPSC received significant support for this recall from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). (3-05-09)
Name of Product: Arch Swing Sets
Manufacturer: Playland International, Carrollton, Ga. They were manufactured in the United States.
Hazard: The metal around the weld at the top of the swing frame can fail, causing the top bar to fall, posing a fall and impact hazard to the user or by-standers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm received one report of a child who suffered a head injury as a result of being struck by the top of the bar on the swing.
Description: The recalled includes swings sets with a 3.5 inch arch swing frame and a 3.5 inch top metal bar. The recalled swing sets come in red, orange, yellow, blue, tan, white, black, brown, teal, green, fuchsia, burgundy and purple.
Sold by: Playland International dealers nationwide from September 2001 through
May 2006 for between $800 and $2,300.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled swing sets and contact Playland for instruction on receiving and installing a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Playland International at (800) 356-4727 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.playland-inc.com, or e-mail the firm at swingrecall@playland-inc.com. (2-05-09)
Distributor: L.L. Bean Inc., of Freeport, Maine. They were manufactured in the United States.
Hazard: The elastic harness system attaching the cleats to footwear can detach,
posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of the harness breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Stabilicers Lite cleats with model number BNX9. The cleats are worn over footwear for traction in winter walking conditions. The recalled cleats were sold in blue, orange and pink. Black Stabilicers Lite cleats are not included in this recall. The cleats were sold in sizes small through extra large. The name Stabilicers Lite appears in raised letters on the underside of the harness.
Sold at: L.L. Bean stores nationwide, LLBean.com and the L.L. Bean catalog from August 2008 through November 2008 for about $20.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cleats and contact L.L. Bean to receive a replacement or refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact L.L. Bean at (800) 555-9717 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.llbean.com. (1-29-09)
Importer: Spencer Gifts LLC, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
Hazard: The skull and metal clasp of the necklace contain high levels of lead.
Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
No injuries or incidents have been reported.
Description: This recall involves a necklace with a "skull-and-crossbones" symbol and a metal clasp. The skull has 11 pieces of rhinestones on its forehead and one rhinestone on both ends of the crossbones.
Sold at: Spirit Halloween and Spencer Gift stores nationwide from November 2006 to December 2008 for between $8 and $10.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled necklaces away from children and contact Spencer Gifts for a refund or exchange.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Spencer Gifts toll-free at (800) 321-2497 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.spencersonline.com or www.spirithalloween.com. (1-29-09)
Importer: Gardener's Supply Co., of Burlington, Vt. They were manufactured in China.
Hazard: 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.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of the carousels catching on fire. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled candle carousels are made of yellow pine and stainless steel and measure about 9 inches in diameter by 13 inches high. The candle measures about 4 inches high. The candle carousels generate heat, which rotate the fan blade and can cause the center platform to spin. The carousel is made of wood with cutouts of trees and deer.
Sold at: Gardener's Supply retail stores in Burlington and Williston, Vt., and Gardener's supply catalog distributed nationwide and on the Internet at www.gardeners.com from September 2008 through November 2008 for about $30.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the carousel immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers also can mail the product to Gardener's Supply Returns, 5 New England Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Gardener's Supply Co. at (800) 876-5520 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.gardeners.com. (12-24-08)
Importer: Hallmark Cards Inc., of Kansas City, Mo. They were manufactured in China.
Hazard: When exposed to sunlight, the snow globes can act as a magnifying glass
and ignite nearby combustible materials, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Hallmark has received two reports of the snow globes igniting nearby materials. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves a Hallmark Jumbo Snow Globe in the shape of a snowman with model number 1XAG5093 and UPC code 795902066666. The snow globe measures 11x12x17 inches. The model number and the UPC code can be found on the back of the hangtag.
Sold at: Hallmark Gold Crown stores nationwide from October 2008 through November 2008 for about $100.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the snow globe from exposure to sunlight and return it to any Hallmark Gold Crown store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hallmark at (800) 425-5627 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.hallmark.com. (12-24-08)
Name of Product: Dive Sticks
Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn. They were manufactured in China.
Hazard: The recalled dive sticks could remain in an upright position, posing an impalement hazard to young children. CPSC banned pre-weighted dive sticks in 2001. No incidents or injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled dive sticks were sold in a bundle of three in multiple
colors: light blue, aqua green, fluorescent yellow, royal blue and red. The tag
accompanying the dive sticks contains: "Dive Toys" or "Diving Game" and has a
white small parts warning label in the upper right hand corner. The words "Made
in China" are printed in the lower right hand corner.
Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from April 2008 through August 2008 for about $1.
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled dive sticks away from young children immediately and return them to any Target store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.target.com. (11-20-08)
Name of Product: CORAL Swim 'N Score Pool Stix
Retailer: Modell's Sporting Goods, of New York, N.Y. They were manufactured in Taiwan.
Hazard: Children can fall or land on these dive sticks in shallow water and suffer
impalement injuries. Eye and other facial injuries are also possible. In April
2001, CPSC banned certain types of dive sticks. No injuries or incidents have
been reported.
Description: The recalled Pool Stix are weighted plastic tubes, which stand upright when tossed into water. The sticks are about 8 inches long and were sold in packs of six in various colors. The UPC (#4969382814) is printed on the product's packaging.
Sold at: Modell's Sporting Goods stores nationwide from August 1999 to October 2008 for about $3.
Remedy: Consumers should keep children from playing with the recalled dive sticks and return the product to any Modell's Sporting Goods for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Modell's at (800) 275-6633 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.modells.com/recall. (11-13-08)
Name of Product: Casper the Friendly Ghost Halloween Mini-Figurines
Importer: Coyne's & Company Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn. They were manufactured in China.
Hazard: The recalled Halloween figurines contain high levels of lead in the paint. No injuries or incidents have been reported.
Description: The recalled Casper the Friendly Ghost mini-figurines are made of
resin and paper, and are 3 inches tall. They were sold in mini bags decorated
with a spider and web design. The Casper the Friendly Ghost figurines are dressed
as Dracula in a red spider bag, Skeleton in a green spider bag, Devil in a purple
spider bag, Mummy in an orange spider bag, Casper in a blue spider bag and Wendy
the Witch is in a yellow spider bag. The figurines are stamped with TM & Harvey
Ent. "Coyne's & Company" and "CP1030" are printed on a white sticker on the
bottom of the bags.
Sold by: Gift, specialty, card and drug stores nationwide from June 2005 through September 2008 for between $1 and $3.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled figurines away from children
and contact Coyne's & Company to receive a full refund or credit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Coyne's & Company at (800) 336-8666 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.coynes.com. (10-30-08)
 |  |