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The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Sporting Goods
Name of Product: Kong Maxx Ladder Stands
Manufacturer: Gorilla Inc., of Flushing, Mich.
Hazard: The ladder stands can become unstable while in use, causing the user
to fall. The addition of one ladder section to the stand makes the platform farther
away from the bracing. When the stand is at its full height, the distance between
the bracing and the platform may result in platform instability prior to attachment
to and/or detachment from the tree.
Incidents/Injuries: Gorilla Inc. has received two reports of consumers who fell from these ladder stands and suffered injuries to the back and knee.
Description: This recall involves Gorilla Kong Maxx Ladder Stands with model number 43032 and batch numbers G051507, G051507D, G061507D, G071507D and G081507D. Model numbers are printed on the box only. Batch numbers are stamped on the vertical rail of the first ladder section. The stand is 19 feet to the shooting rail, or 16 feet, 8 inches to the platform. The foot platform measures 17 1/2 inches wide. This is the only Gorilla, Inc. ladder stand with these dimensions.
Sold at: Gander Mountain stores nationwide from July 2007 through September 2007 for about $180. They were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the ladder stands and contact Gorilla Inc. to receive a refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Gorilla Inc. at (800) 914-4567 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.gorillatreestands.com (pdf). Consumers can also write the firm at Gorilla, Inc. 3475 Eastman Drive Flushing, Mich. 48433. (10-19-07)
Name of Product: Rocky Mountain-Solo Bicycles
Manufacturer: Procycle Group Inc., of Quebec, Canada
Hazard: The head tube can detach from the rest of the frame, posing a fall hazard
to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Procycle Group Inc. has received two reports of head tubes detaching from the frames, resulting in shoulder and facial injuries.
Description: This recall involves the Rocky Mountain Bicycles brand of Solo bicycles. The models included in this recall are 2006 SOLO CR50, 2006 SOLO CR70 and 2007 SOLO CR LTD. The bicycles have a full carbon Columbus frame. "Rocky Mountain" and "Solo" are printed on the head tube.
Sold by: Independent bicycle dealers nationwide from August 2006 through July 2007 for between $2,000 and $5,850. They were manufactured in Taiwan.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the bicycle immediately and return the frame to the bicycle store where purchased to receive a free replacement frame, a full refund or credit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Procycle Group Inc. at (800) 663-2512 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.bikes.com. (10-17-07)
Name of Product: Oro Disc Brakes used on bicycles
Importer: Perigeum Development Inc., d.b.a. Formula Brake USA, of Petaluma, Calif.
Manufacturer: Formula SRL, of Italy
Hazard: The brake's hand lever can separate, resulting in loss of braking. This can cause the rider to lose control of the bicycle, posing a risk of injury to riders.
Incidents/Injuries: Formula Brake USA has received six reports of hand levers detaching. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Oro disk brakes typically installed on mountain bikes. The brake is operated by a hand lever, which is mounted to the handlebar. Included in the recall are the Oro K18, Oro K24, Oro Puro and Oro Bianco models with serial numbers less than 295237. The serial number can be located on the brake's body above the "Made in Italy" label.
Sold at: Bicycle specialty stores nationwide from May 2005 through July 2007 for between $180 and $320. They were manufactured in Italy.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using bicycles equipped with the recalled brakes and contact any Formula Brake dealer to receive a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Formula Brake toll-free at (866) 458-3130 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.formulabrakeusa.com. (10-17-07)
Name of Product: 2007 Huffy "Howler" and "Highland" Bicycles
Distributor: Huffy Corp., of Miamisburg, Ohio
Hazard: The bicycle crank can unexpectedly come off, causing the rider to lose
control, fall and suffer serious injuries.
Incidents/Injuries: Huffy has received two reports of the crank coming off, resulting in one injury.
Description: The recall involves 2007 model year, multi-speed bicycles with 26-inch, 24-inch or 20-inch wheels. The "Howler" was sold in black (model K3587, boy's model), blue (model K4587, men's model) and red (model K6587, men's model). The "Highland" was sold in white (model K4597, women's model) and blue (model K6597, women's model). The name "Howler" or "Highland" is printed on the frame of the bicycle, and the name "Huffy" is on the front of the frame. Model numbers are located on a label on the bottom of the frame where the crank is attached to the bicycle.
Sold at: Kmart stores nationwide from May 2007 through July 2007 for between $80 and $100. Bicycles were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled bicycles immediately and contact Huffy Corp. to receive instructions on tightening the crank.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Huffy Corp. toll-free at (888) 366-3828 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.huffybikes.com. (10-17-07)
Name of Product: Double Hammocks
Importer: Collections Etc. Inc., of Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Manufacturer: Transfar International Corp., of Taipei, Taiwan
Hazard: The wooden rods at the head and foot of the hammock used to extend the
fabric can break, causing the hammock to collapse and the user to fall to the
ground.
Incidents: Collections Etc. is aware of five reports of the wooden rods breaking, resulting in four reports of injuries including minor cuts and sore necks and backs.
Description: This recall involves hammocks made with a solid green fabric and white support ropes. The hammocks' green fabric measures 73 inches long by 46 inches wide and supports a maximum of up to 350 pounds.
Sold through: Web sites and catalogs nationwide from May 2007 through August 2007 for about $20. They were manufactured in Taiwan.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the hammocks immediately and contact Collections Etc. for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Collections Etc. at (800) 518-3020 between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers also can also log onto the firm's Web site at www.collectionsetc.com. (10-12-07)
Name of Product: Cub Scouts Totem Badges
Distributor: Kahoot Products Inc., of Roswell, Ga.
Hazard: The surface paints on the badges contain excessive levels of lead, violating
the federal lead paint standard. No injuries or incidents have been reported.
Description: The recalled Cub Scout Totem Badges measure 4 1/2 inches x 3 inches with a square portion measuring 2 1/4 inches x 2 1/4 inches. The Boy Scout emblem is printed on the badge along with a wolf and bear. "PROGRESS TOWARD RANKS" is also printed on the badge.
Sold at: Boy Scouts of America retail outlets nationwide from January 2000 through September 2007. They were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Parents should immediately remove the badges from clothing and keep the badges away from children. Contact the firm for instructions on obtaining a free replacement badge.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kahoot at (770) 552-2921, or visit the firm's Web site at www.kahoot.com. (10-12-07)
Name of Product: Collectible "Jeff Gordon" Mini Helmets
Importer: Riddell Inc., of Rosemont, Ill.
Hazard: Surface paints on the recalled helmets contain excessive levels of lead,
violating the federal lead paint standard. No incidents or injuries have been
reported.
Description: The recalled product is a 6-inch-tall collectible miniature helmet, modeled after the helmet worn by race car driver Jeff Gordon. The helmet is red and blue with a black visor and is painted with various sponsor logos and playing cards. The UPC number 095855720029 is located on the bottom of the product's packaging. No other Riddell mini helmet models are included in this recall.
Sold at: Academy stores and other retailers nationwide, as well as the Web site, www.nascar.com, from February 2007 through October 2007 for about $40. They were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled helmets away from young children immediately and contact Riddell to receive a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For further information, contact Riddell at (800) 611-8114 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, via e-mail at racingminirecall@riddellsports.com, or visit the firm's Web site at www.riddell.com. (10-12-07)
Name of Product: Alpine Design Aluminum Water Bottles
Importer: Sports Authority, of Englewood, Colo.
Hazard: The surface paint on the water bottle contains excessive levels of lead,
violating the federal lead paint standard. No incidents or injuries have been
reported.
Description: This recall involves the Alpine Design aluminum water bottles sold at Sports Authority. The water bottles are sold in different colors and measure between 6 and 10 1/2 inches tall. The water bottles are silver, blue, red, blue with pink flowers, red with the depiction of a mouse or blue with the depiction of a zebra. "Alpine Design" is painted on the water bottle.
Sold at: Sports Authority stores nationwide from April 2006 through September 2007 for between $5 and $8. They were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and return it to a Sports Authority store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Sports Authority at (800) 360-8721 any time, or visit the firm's Web site at www.sportsauthority.com. (10-05-07)
Name of Product: X-15 Flying Model Rockets
Manufacturer: Estes-Cox Corp., of Penrose, Colo.
Hazard: The model rocket's side or engine retainer ring can separate and cause the rocket to fall without the nose cone separating and the parachute deploying, posing a risk of an impact injury to nearby consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Estes-Cox has received seven reports of the side or engine retainer ring separating and the nose and parachute failing to release and 25 reports of the retainer ring being lost during flight, including one report that a consumer was struck in the arm, requiring surgery.
Description: This recall involves the X-15 flying model rocket, a 1:44 scale version of the North American Aviation hypersonic rocket plane. The model rockets are about 13.5 inches long and have a wingspan of about 5 inches. The rockets are black and yellow and have the number 66670 on the tail. The rockets were sold individually (item #1890) and as part of a starter kit (item #1412). The item number is printed on the product's instruction sheet and above the bar code on the product's packaging.
Sold at: Hobby stores and other retailers nationwide from June 2005 through July 2007 for between $16 and $36. They were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled rockets immediately and contact Estes-Cox for instructions on receiving a replacement product.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Estes-Cox at (800) 576-5811 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.estesrockets.com.
(9-30-07)Name of Product: Novara Afterburner Trailer Bicycles
Distributor: Recreational Equipment Inc.(REI), of Kent, Wash.
Hazard: The children's trailer bicycle can detach from the adult bicycle, posing
a fall hazard to children.
Incidents/Injuries: REI has received one report of a children's trailer bicycle detaching from the adult bicycle. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the Novara Afterburner trailer bicycle, a single-wheel children's bicycle that attaches to, and cannot be operated independently of, an adult bicycle.
Sold at: REI stores nationwide from February 2007 through June 2007 for about $160. They were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the bicycle trailer, visit the nearest REI store or contact REI for a free replacement part, a full refund or credit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact REI at (800) 426-4840 between 4 a.m. and 11 p.m. PT seven days a week, visit the company's Web site at www.rei.com or contact your local REI store. (9-18-07)
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