Health Alerts - May 2004

Sauder Woodworking Co., of Archbold, Ohio, is recalling about 592,000 TV/VCR Carts because they can tip over, causing possible injury or death when the cart and television fall.

There have been 13 reports of injury from these TV carts, including one death of a 19-month-old in North Wales, Pa., who suffered a fractured skull when the cart and television fell on her. There were four additional reports of injuries: another skull fracture and three reports of bumps and bruises.

Two models are being recalled, 2655 and 2755. Both are sold as kits, which require assembly and have identical parts. They come in a light oak and dark cherry finish. The model numbers are not located on the item but rather on the instruction booklet. The stands (29.5 × 18 × 27 inches) are equipped with two shelves and a lower storage area enclosed by two hinged doors.

The stands were sold for about $100 nationwide. Consumers should stop using the carts immediately. To improve the stability of the cart, remove the television and all the contents from the cart, turn it over and remove the four casters. Contact Sauder Woodworking Co. at (888) 800-4590 or www.sauder.com for a free repair kit to further reduce the potential of the cart and television to tip.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a safety warning on paintball guns because the brass or nickel-plated valve that connects directly to the canister must not be removed from the canister when removing the canister assembly from a paintball gun. The valve must remain secure and rotate with the CO₂ canister.

There have been two deaths related to CO₂ canisters flying off paintball guns. In June 2003, a 15-year-old died after being hit in the head with a CO₂ canister as he was removing it. In February 2004, a projectile CO₂ canister that was removed by someone else killed a bystander.

CPSC still is investigating these situations and recommends using paint or nail polish to mark the brass valve and CO₂ canister so you can see the valve and the canister rotate together while being removed from the gun. The canister assembly should unscrew from the paintball gun in about three or four full turns. If, upon finishing the fourth turn, the canister is not unscrewed, stop and take the gun to a professional. For more information, call the CPSC hotline at (800) 638-2772.

Brand Imports LLC, of Scottsdale, Ariz., is recalling 1 million children’s rings because they contain high levels of lead, posing a risk of lead poisoning to children.

No incidents have been reported.

The rings are silver and come in various patterns, including hearts and stars.

The rings were sold in vending machines in malls, at discount department stores and at grocery stores nationwide between December 2002 and August 2003 for about 25 cents.

Consumers should throw the ring away or contact Brand Imports LLC at (800) 967-3048 for more information.

Kingfisher Publications PLC, of the United Kingdom, is recalling about 5,000 books titled, “My Easter Basket Book” because a sponge touch and feel item inside the book can detach or small pieces can be torn away, creating a choking hazard for young children.

There has been one report of a child who began to choke, but no injuries.

The book is made of cardboard and has “My Easter Basket Book” printed on the cover in pink letters over an Easter basket. The cover also reads, “First Holiday Books” and “Touch and Feel.” Accompanying the book are items typically found in Easter baskets, including candy and plush toys. The book incorporates textured and touch-and-feel surfaces.

The book was sold nationwide from February to March 2004 for about $8. Take these books away from young children immediately and return them for a refund and postage reimbursement to Kingfisher Publications PLC, Customer Service, 181 Ballardvale St., Wilmington, MA, 01887. For more information, call Kingfisher at (800) 298-4371.

Babies “R” Us, of Wayne, N.J., is recalling about 900 snail push toys because the screw securing the toy handle to the push toy could easily detach, creating a choking hazard.

No incidents have been reported.

The wood toy is a snail with three movable parts painted purple, green, yellow or orange. The wheels have three colored balls (yellow, green and red) attached with a string. A yellow and blue tag is attached to the toy reading “Imaginarium Baby” and “recommended for ages 1 to 3.”

The toy was sold only at Babies “R” Us from July 2003 to November 2003 for about $8. Consumers should take the push toy away from small children immediately and return it to Babies “R” Us for a refund. For more information, call (800) 804-5419.

Stanley Furniture Co. Inc., of Stanleytown, Va., is recalling 318 cribs because the product requires a specific screw for the crib’s movable gate, which was not distributed with some of the cribs, allowing the possibility that children could become trapped between the gate and the mattress or fall out of the crib.

No incidents have been reported.

The wooden “Isabella” model cribs are painted white and carry the model number 326-94C1 or 326-94C2 on the barcode.

Department and furniture stores nationwide sold the cribs from November 2003 to February 2004 for about $980. Contact the store where the crib was purchased to schedule a free, in-home crib inspection and repair or call Stanley at (888) 839-6822 for more information.

Valley Dynamo, of Richland Hills, Texas, is recalling about 15,000 air hockey tables because the blower motor, located under the table, has an opening large enough for a child’s finger, posing a laceration hazard.

One such incident has occurred resulting in a minor laceration injury to a child who crawled under the air hockey table and stuck his finger in the exposed opening.

The recall affects three models of air hockey tables, Arctic Flash (85 × 45 × 65 inches), Arctic Wind (31 × 45 inches) and Air Elegance. The titles are printed on the table’s playing field.

The item has been sold at sporting good and specialty stores nationwide since 1994 for between $1,000 and $2,200. Consumers should stop using the product and call Dynamo at (800) 304-2929 for information on receiving a free repair kit.

Pacific Cycle Inc., of Madison, Wis., is recalling about 14,000 mountain bikes because the bicycle’s rear shock absorber causes the frame to be unstable.

There have been two reports of the frames on these bicycles breaking, resulting in scrapes and bruises to the rider.

The silver and red bicycles say “Mongoose” and “DXR AL” on the frame. Only the Mongoose 20-inch-wheel bicycles made of aluminum are included in this recall, not bicycles with steel frames.

The mountain bikes were sold for about $99 from September 2003 until March 1, 2004. Consumers should stop using these bicycles immediately and contact Pacific Cycle at (877) 564-2261 to receive a free replacement rear shock.

Bath & Body Works and The White Barn Candle Co., of Columbus, Ohio, are recalling 733,000 “Real Essence” votive candles because they can burn with a high or irregular flame, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

The company has received nine reports of the candles burning with a high flame, two of which involved minor injuries.

The recalled votive candles are: Rosewood Tea, Lilac Blossom, Vintage Leather, Brushed Suede, Warm Vanilla Sugar, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Spiced Cider, and Amber Myrrh. A label on the bottom of all of the candles reads: Real Essence 1½ × 2¼.

The candles were sold individually and as part of a set at Bath & Body Works and The White Barn Candle Co. stores nationwide between March 2003 and February 2004 for $1.25 to $18.

Stop using these candles immediately and return them to any Bath & Body Works or The White Barn Candle Co. store for a merchandise credit, merchandise exchange or a refund. For more information, contact the companies at (800) 395-1001.

Bloomingdale’s By Mail, of New York, is recalling 300 tree-shaped candleholders because they can tip over, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

The firm has received two reports of consumers being concerned about the stability of the candleholders. No injuries have been reported.

The gold candleholders are made of metal and shaped like a tree. They are about 24 inches tall and 15 inches wide. The candleholders contain six metal hooks and glass cups for placing votive candles.

They were sold by Bloomingdale’s By Mail between September and December 2003 for about $40.

Stop using the candleholders immediately and return them to the firm for a refund. For more information, call Bloomingdale’s By Mail at (800) 472-0788.

Light Distribution Inc., of Miami, and Lado Co. of America, of Flushing, N.Y., are recalling electric hand-held hair dryers because they do not have an immersion protection device or ground fault circuit interrupter on the power cord, posing a serious threat of electrocution if dropped in water.

No incidents have been reported.

The recalled Light Distribution Inc. hair dryers are the Turbo 1650 and Turbo 2650 electric hand-held hair dryers. They have a pistol grip, black or red and black colored plastic casing and a two-prong power cord. They were sold in retail beauty supply stores in Florida between March and November 2003 for about $50.

The recalled Lado Co. of America hair dryers are the Formula 3000, Energy Turbo and Rapid 1085 electric hand-held dryers. These dryers have a pistol grip, black or dark blue plastic casing and a two-prong power cord.

Consumers should stop using these hair dryers immediately and return them to the respective firms for a replacement. For more information, contact Light Distribution at (877) 418-1881 or Lado Co. of America at (800) 368-1130.

Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, is recalling 150,000 “Sun-Sational Electric Heaters” because the electrical connections inside of the heater can loosen, causing the metal portion of the heater to become energized. This poses a shock hazard to consumers.

No incidents have been reported.

The heaters have a metallic gray heating element, white base and red control knobs. They were sold at retail stores nationwide between August 1996 and February 2004 for $30 to $40.

Stop using the electric heaters, unplug them and contact Lakewood at (888) 858-3506 for a free repair or replacement.

Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa., is recalling 186,000 space heaters because the power cord connection can overheat and cause the cord to separate from the heater, posing a risk of fire, shock and burns.

Lasko has received four reports of burned and detached power cords. No injuries have been reported.

Two types of heaters are being recalled. The heater with model number 5500 is an oscillating ceramic heater with dark gray vents and bronze trim. Model 5700 is an oil-filled radiator-type heater.

Retailers such as Dollar General and Sam’s Club sold the heaters nationwide between July 2001 and December 2003 for $40 to $50.

Stop using the heaters, unplug them and contact Lasko Products at (800) 233-6373 for instructions on returning the heater to receive a replacement or a product of similar value.

Brass Light Gallery Inc., of Milwaukee, is recalling 1,400 Alabaster Wall Sconce Lights because the tie-downs, which secure the electrical wires to the mounting bracket, can loosen and cause the wire to touch the bulb. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Brass Light has received two reports of the tie-downs becoming loose. No injuries have been reported.

The light fixtures have a translucent, natural alabaster stone cover. The cover is 8 inches wide and between 9½ and 15 inches in height.

The wall sconce lights were sold by lighting distributors nationwide and through Brass Light Gallery mail order services between January 1998 and November 2003 for $175 to $340.

Consumers should stop using the lights and contact Brass Light Gallery at (888) 212-4953 to receive a free repair kit.