Current Feed Content from 25 Nov 08 15:27
10 Worst Toys to Avoid This Christmas
Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800A group of consumer advocates called World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H) has released a list of “10 Worst Toys” that they are asking consumers to watch out for this holiday season. To see the group’s complete report, please visit this Web site.
This list apparently represents toys with the potential to cause children serious injuries or even death. This year’s list includes popular brand names such as “Spider-Man, ” “Winnie the Pooh” and “Digger the Dog.” Here is a brief list and description of these defective and dangerous products:
1. Sportsman Shotgun: This realistic weapon is sold online as a toy for children 3 years and older. It uses rubber bullets, but it is certainly not a toy and should not be used by children. This shotgun has the potential to cause serious facial and eye injuries.
2. Go Go Minis Pullback Vehicle: These miniature fire trucks, garbage trucks and school buses present serious choking hazards for young children.
3. Inflatable Giga Ball: Children are encouraged to crawl inside this inflatable ball which can then be spun, bounced and tumbled. Obviously this toy has potential for serious fall injuries.
4. Animal Alley Purse Pet: This soft colorful pony has soft fiber hairs that are not properly attached, which could cause ingestion or aspiration injuries.
5. Spider-Man Adjustable Skates: Package warning encourages a range of protective gear, but includes only knee and elbow pads.
6. Pucci Puppies -- My Own Puppy House Golden Retriever: Small accessories such as little toy bones, toy cookies and miniature dog toys present a serious choking hazard for young children.
7. Walk’N Sounds Digger Dog: The toy industry has a voluntary standard requiring strings on playpen or crib toys to be less than 12 inches in length. This one has a cord measuring up to 26 inches. Certainly hazardous to infants.
8. Meadow Mystery Play-A-Sound Book with Cuddly Pooh: Once removed, Pooh’s cloth mask poses a choking hazard to babies.
9. Extreme Spiral Copters: Includes a projectile and an elastic band and works like a slingshot. This toy has the potential for facial and eye injuries.
10. Ninja Battle Gear – Michelangelo: Has “weapons” such as nunchaku that could cause injuriesPlease avoid these toys this holiday season. It appears that some of these toys are inherently defective while others do not have the appropriate warnings on the packaging. If your child has suffered a serious injury or worse as a result of a dangerous or defective toy, I’d like to hear about it.
Strangulation Hazard Prompts Recall of IKEA’s Roman Blinds
Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800IKEA Home Furnishings issued a voluntary recall of its IRIS and ALVINE Roman blinds after the strangulation death of a child. According to a product safety alert issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, IKEA is recalling about 670, 000 units in the United States. Close to 5 million units were sold outside the United States.
Officials say strangulations can occur when a child places his or her neck in an exposed inner cord on the back side of the Roman blinds. A 1-year-old girl in Greenwich, Connecticut, died on April 4, 2008 after she became entangled in the inner cord of an IKEA Roman blind and was strangled. The little girl was apparently playing in a portable playpen that was placed under a fully lowered blind.
The recalled products include all sizes of the IRIS and ALVINE Roman blinds in white. The products, manufactured in India, have a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name, a five-digit supplier number (19799 or 21369) and a four-digit stamp as well as the words “Made in India.” These dangerous and defective products were sold in IKEA stores nationwide from July 2005 through June 2008 for between $7 and $30.
Contaminated Lean Cuisine Chicken Dinners Recalled
Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800Nestle Prepared Foods Company, based in Springville, Utah, is recalling about 879, 565 pounds of Lean Cuisine brand frozen chicken meals that may contain pieces of blue plastic, according to an U.S. Department of Agriculture alert. The products subject to this recall include:
• 9.5-ounce packages of Lean Cuisine Pesto Chicken with Bow Tie Pasta
• 10.5-ounce packages of Lean Cuisine Chicken Mediterranean
• 12.5-ounce packages of Lean Cuisine Chicken TuscanEach package also bears the USDA mark of inspection as well as the establishment number “ESTP-9018.” The frozen chicken meals were manufactured between Aug. 18 and Oct. 27 and were distributed to retail stores nationwide. The problem surfaced after the company received several consumer complaints and a report of one injury as a result of the hard plastic pieces in the frozen chicken dinners. Consumers with questions about this recall are asked to call Nestle Consumer Services Center at 1-800-227-6188. You may also contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline toll-free at 1-888-674-6854. Information is available in English and Spanish.
Defective GE Wall Ovens Recalled
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800General Electric is recalling about 244, 000 defective GE Profile, Kenmore and Monogram wall ovens. The defective wall ovens could pose a risk of fire and burn injuries to consumers, according to this news report on Consumeraffairs.com. The high level of heat used during the self-clean cycle can escape if the wall oven door is removed and incorrectly reattached by the installer or the consumer. This can result in a fire injury hazard to consumers.
GE has issued the product recall in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which has also issued a consumer alert about these defective GE wall ovens. A complete list of the recalled models is also listed in this consumer alert. CPSC reports that so far it has not received any reports of personal injury. Although there have already been 28 incident reports of property damage in which adjacent kitchen cabinets were burned or damaged.
More Yamaha Rhino Injury Victims Sue Alleging Serious Design Flaws
Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/4172Two more lawsuits have been filed in connection with injuries suffered as a result of the Yamaha Rhino utility terrain vehicle or UTV, according to a November 11, 2008 news report on this Web site. Both lawsuits allege that the Yamaha Rhino contains multiple design flaws that make it unstable and prone to tipping and rolling over, causing catastrophic injuries and in many cases, death. Earlier this month, federal safety officials announced that they are investigating the Yamaha Rhino, which has been linked to 30 deaths so far and has been the target of at least 200 product liability lawsuits.
The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has not set safety standards for vehicle such as the Rhino, which has been categorized as a utility terrain vehicle. All-terrain vehicles or ATVs on the other hand, are subject to safety standards. UTVs are different from ATVs in that they have a steering wheel as opposed to handlebars. Critics of the Yamaha Rhino say this particular vehicle is more prone to rollover accidents than other off-road vehicles because of its defective design. It is top-heavy and has tires that are very narrow which makes it prone to tipping over, even when the vehicle is making a turn at low speeds. The Rhino is also designed in such a manner that passengers’ legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover crash.
Defective Honda Off-Road Motorcycles Recalled
Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800American Honda Motor Company has recalled about 13, 000 off-road competition motorcycles for a defective weld on the right side of the swing arm, according to this news report on Consumeraffairs.com. This flaw could cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle. These defective vehicles pose a risk of serious injury or death to riders. So far, Honda has received two reports of the swing arms cracking. Company officials say no injuries or deaths have been reported yet.
This product recall apparently involves model year 2007-2008 Honda CRF150/RB motocross competition motorcycles. These vehicles were manufactured in Japan and sold by Honda motorcycle dealers nationwide from September 2006 through October 2008 for between $4, 300 and $4, 400. Consumers who own one of these defective vehicles are asked to stop using them immediately and contact any Honda dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners of these recalled motorcycles can soon expect a direct recall notice in the mail. Those who want more information are asked to call Honda toll-free at 866-784-1870 or visit the company’s Web site at www.powersports.honda.com.
Aging and Defective Tires Pose Significant Risks to Consumers
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800More and more deaths and injuries are being caused by old tires that are being sold as new in major retail outlets, according to an investigative report by WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee. Two lawsuits were filed recently in that state and both involve an August 2007 SUV rollover accident in Arkansas.
Teresa Taylor was driving her 1997 Mercury Mountaineer westbound on Interstate 40 near West Memphis when the tread on her rear driver’s side tire, which she had purchased from a Sears Auto Center just a year ago, peeled off. Taylor lost control of her sport utility vehicle, which skidded across the median and rolled over. This tragic accident killed Teresa Taylor’s 15-year-old cousin, Tevin Pettis, who was a passenger in her vehicle. Investigators found that the tire had a U.S. Department of Transportation code: 2102, which meant that the tire in question was four years old when it was sold as “new” to Taylor.
Dodge Recalls Police Cars with Faulty Gear Shift Cables
Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800Dodge is recalling the Charger and Magnum police car models because of a defective gear shift cable. According to an article on Consumeraffairs.com, company officials say the gearshift cable may become disengaged causing an incorrect gearshift position display. This apparently could allow the vehicle to move without warning and potentially cause a crash.
Dealers will add a redundant locking mechanism to the gearshift cable. The recall began on November 10, 2008. Owners with questions are asked to call 1-800-853-1403 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 or visit their Web site at www.safercar.gov.
Defective Airbag Sensors Lead to Cadillac Recall
Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800Cadillac is recalling its 2009 CTS model vehicles because of defective airbag sensors, which could affect proper deployment of the airbags. Company officials say a software glitch in the passenger sensing system could disable the front passenger airbag when it should be enabled. On the other hand, the glitch could also enable the airbag when it should be disabled. When the recall becomes effective later this month, dealers will reprogram the sensing module free of charge. Our source for this blog was a news report on consumer watchdog Web site Consumeraffairs.com.
Consumers who have questions about this recall are asked to call Cadillac toll-free at 1-866-982-2339 or visit www.gmownercenter.com. More information about this recall is also available on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Web site at www.safercar.gov or by calling the federal agency at 1-888-327-4236.
Federal Officials Knew About Ineffective Roof Strength Standard
Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800An excellent investigative report by Channel 10 in Columbus, Ohio, brings to light what auto accident and product liability attorneys, as well as auto safety advocates, have been saying for years. This news report talked to an “automobile industry insider, ” who told them that the government has known for decades that its testing system would not go far enough to protect people during rollover accidents.
According to the government’s own numbers, 10, 000 people are killed each year in rollover crashes and at least 16, 000 suffer catastrophic injuries every year in the United States. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is yet to issue a new rule for vehicle roof crush testing and standards. The antiquated standard, which has remained unaltered for more than 30 years, has allowed auto makers to continue to manufacture vehicles will sub-standard, weak, defective roofs that crush and injure their occupants during a rollover crash.
The NHTSA’s current standard involves a “static test, ” which means that vehicles are stationary when the roofs are tested. The problem with such testing is that real rollover crashes do not occur when vehicles are stationary. As we all know, most of these rollover accidents occur when vehicles are traveling at highway speeds. That’s why these static tests simply don’t make any sense.
Defective Sony Laptop Batteries Recalled For Fire Hazard
Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800Several computer makers are recalling about 100, 000 Sony laptop batteries after at least 40 reports of the defective products overheating and causing burn injuries to consumers. According to this news report, users reported smoke or flames from the batteries. Burn injuries and property damage as a result of these batteries catching fire have also been reported. Companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Toshiba are involved in this global recall.
Sony officials are saying that these particular product defects seem to have been caused by a problem with a production line during October 2004 and June 2005. Sony VAIO notebook computers are apparently not affected by this recall. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 32, 000 batteries were being voluntarily recalled in the United States.
Federal Safety Officials Investigate Yamaha Vehicle
Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is investigating the design of “recreational off-highway vehicles” after receiving reports of numerous fatal accidents involving these new, unregulated products. The Yamaha Rhino brand is apparently the main focus of this investigation involving at least 30 deaths. Our source for this blog is a Bloomberg News report.
Used mostly by off-road aficionados and hunters, these vehicle models are larger than all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Most of the models have two side-by-side seats, a steering wheel and a protective roll cage. Features such as the roll cage place these vehicles outside the current rules for traditional ATVs. Models similar to the Rhino include Polaris’ Razor, Honda Motor Company’s Big Red, Kawasaki’s Mule and the Arctic Cat Prowler. Yamaha, of course, maintains that its Rhino is extremely safe and reliable, yet 30 fatal accidents occurred on their off-highway vehicles.
It is imperative that the CPSC officials take immediate steps to begin regulating these seemingly dangerous vehicles. I hope their investigation looks into inherent product defects and possible design defects, which may have led to the deaths of the people who attempted to ride them. These vehicles obviously look a lot like the ATV and ride like the ATV, but are grouped into a different category because of their larger size and some additional features.
Company Recalls 370, 000 Defective Chainsaws
Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800Homelite, a chainsaw manufacturer, is recalling about 370, 000 defective chainsaws because the brake can fail to stop the chain on its application, posing a risk of serious injuries. According to a news report on Consumeraffairs.com, the recall involves Homelite brand chainsaws with the following model numbers: UT10514, UT10516, UT10517, UT10518, UT10520, UT10540, UT10560 and UT10918.
These dangerous and defective products were manufactured in China between November 2007 and August 2008. The chainsaws’ date plates located under the rear handle of the saw bear both the model number and manufacturing date. Products not included in this recall are those that have a green dot sticker under the bottom side of the handle area and on the outside of the package.
Firestone Recalls Defective Tires for Insufficient Tread
Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:01:00 -0800Bridgestone Firestone has issued a voluntary recall of about 135, 000 Firestone brand tires and 27, 000 Le Mans tires that were imported into the United States and Canada. According to this news release, the tires manufactured by Bridgestone Firestone in Costa Rica, were produced with insufficient tread base gauge. Company officials said that continued use of these tires, which “failed to meet the company’s internal standards, ” may lead to vibration and groove cracking. So far, company officials say no personal injury or product liability claims relating to these defective tires have been filed. Consumers who own these brands of tires will get a free replacement.
CPSC Recalls Defective Halloween Products
Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:01:00 -0800The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled 44, 000 products including Halloween Casper ghost-shaped tea light candle holders and figurines because of fire and lead paint hazards, according to its consumer alerts.
CPSC has received five reports of the tealight holders catching on fire and one report of the holder getting too hot. Two consumers are said to have suffered burns to their hands. Some minor property damage has also been reported.
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