Health Alerts - January 2001

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., of Torrance, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 126,000 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) because of separate defects in two models that result in loss of control of the ATV and, possibly, death.

• The brake pads in the Honda TRX400EX model may have been assembled incorrectly, resulting in brake failure.

Two consumers suffered injuries and sprained wrists. Honda has received 53 reports of incorrectly assembled brake pads.

The ATVs are red or yellow and their model name, “400EX,” appears on both sides of the fuel tank. Honda ATV dealers nationwide sold the ATVs from July 1999 through September 2000 for $4,000 to $6,000.

• The mounting bracket on the front suspension of the Honda Rancher TRX350 models may have been welded improperly to the frame, which may cause the vehicle to lose steering control and crash.

Honda has received 98 reports of improper welds. There have been no injuries reported.

The ATVs are available in red, orange or olive green.“Honda Rancher” is written on the sides of the ATV’s fuel tank. Honda ATV dealers nationwide sold the ATVs from July 1999 through September 2000 for $4,000 to $6,000.

Consumers should call their local Honda ATV dealer to schedule a free inspection and, if needed, repair. For more information call American Honda at (888) 289-8226 or visit its Web site at www.hondamotorcycle.com/press/index.html.

Prestige Toy Corp., of New York, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 4,600 Curious George musical pull toys because the toys’ two elastic cords may form a loop, posing a strangulation risk to young children.

One child was found with the toy’s cords wrapped around his neck. No injuries have been reported.

The toy is a stuffed, fabric Curious George holding two red and yellow balloons attached by two retractable elastic cords covered in green fabric. The toy can hang from cribs, playpens or other infant furniture. When the cords are pulled, the toy plays music. The recall does not include toys with the green elastic cords sewn together halfway between the red and yellow balloons. Kmart stores nationwide sold the Curious George toy from June through September 1999 for $10.

Consumers should return the toy to Kmart for a replacement toy. For more information, call the CPSC at (800) 638-2772.

• Variflex Inc., of Moorpark, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 240,000 bicycle helmets because they fail to pass the impact testing required under CPSC’s Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets and, therefore, provide inadequate protection when riders fall, potentially resulting in severe head injuries or death.

No injuries have been reported.

The X-Games Aggressive bicycle helmets are recalled. The helmets are available in black, white or chrome and have “X-Games” printed on the front and the back. Sporting goods and discount department stores nationwide sold the helmets from October 1999 through September 2000 for $20.

Consumers should return the helmets to the store where purchased for a replacement helmet or a refund. For more information, call Variflex at (800) 248-5327.

• NHS Inc., of Santa Cruz, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 2,600 bicycle helmets because they fail to pass the impact testing required under CPSC’s Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets and, therefore, provide inadequate protection when riders fall, potentially resulting in severe head injuries or death.

No injuries have been reported.

The TSG Metallic Gold, SG Gloss Black and TSG Foundation Blue helmets are recalled. The Metallic Gold and Gloss Black helmets have “TSG” printed on the front and back of the helmet; the Foundation Blue helmets have the word “Foundation” printed across the front. The helmets have serial numbers beginning with SN: 00170 or SN: 00171 and a date code of January, February or April 2000 written on the white label inside the helmets. Sporting goods stores nationwide sold the helmets from February through October 2000 for $35 to $45 dollars.

Consumers should return the helmets to NHS Inc. for a refund. For more information, call NHS at (877) 743-7820 or visit the company’s Web site at www.tsgprotection.com.

• First Team Sports Inc, of Anoka, Minn., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling 1,000 bicycle helmets because they fail to pass the impact testing required under CPSC’s Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets and, therefore, provide inadequate protection when riders fall, potentially resulting in severe head injuries or death.

No injuries have been reported.

The Guardian Junior Helmets being recalled are slate blue and have “Guardian” written on the front and back of the helmets and include model numbers 00741, 007958, 009406, 009437, 009455 or 009830. The model number and the date code, 2000/04, is written on a label inside the helmet. Sporting goods stores in the eastern and northeastern United States sold the $25 helmets from February through October 2000.

Consumers should return the helmets to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information call First Team Sports at (800) 528-5872.

Cosco Inc., of Columbus, Ind., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling one million Options 5 High Chairs because of defects in the upright and reclining position, potentially causing injuries to the head, face or body of an infant.

In the upright position, the seat can slip from the set height position to the lowest position or can fall to the ground. In the recline position, the seats can separate from the frame and fall to the ground. Additionally, some seats were sold with a metal restraint anchor that can slip through the back of the seat, allowing the child to fall to the ground.

There have been 168 reported injuries, including 57 reports primarily to the head and face. Two children suffered mild concussions. Several other children suffered swollen eyes, bloody noses and lips, bumps and bruises.

Cosco Options 5 High Chairs subject to recall have five options for use: high chair, infant feeding, youth chair, play chair and booster seat. The chair has four tray positions, a vinyl seat pad and a removable footrest.“Cosco” is imprinted on the chair’s leg support bar, tray and on a sticker on the bottom of the seat. The recalled chairs have their model number, 03-286, and manufacture date located on the bottom of the seat. The high chairs were manufactured from December 1, 1997, through August 11, 2000. Mass merchandise, juvenile products and major discount department stores nationwide sold the high chairs for $40 to $50.

Cosco is offering consumers two types of repair kits, depending on the date of manufacture. All kits will contain a redesigned handle.

To order a free repair kit, call Cosco at (800) 221-6736 or visit the company’s Web site at www.coscoinc.com/services/servfram.html.

Small Small World, of Englewood, N.J., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 60,000 plush rabbit toys sold under The Boyds Collection label because the eyes could detach, posing a choking hazard to children.

No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves two styles of plush rabbit toys: Natalie Nibblenose, style number 573300-01, and Nickie Nibblenose, style number 573303-03. Both toys are 6 inches tall with movable joints. Tags on to the toys are imprinted with the toy’s name, “The Boyds Collection,” and “Made in China.” Specialty stores nationwide sold the $6 toys from December 1999 through September 2000.

Consumers should return the toys to the store where purchased for a free replacement. For more information, call Small Small World at (800) 485-7211.

Profile Design LLC, of Carson, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 8,000 mountain bike handlebar stems that connect the handlebars to the fork because they can break during use, causing the rider to crash or suffer serious injuries.

Six riders have crashed when the bicycle stems broke, resulting in injuries to teeth, bruises and abrasions.

Stiffy threadless mountain bike stems are subject to recall. The stems have “Profile” and “Stiffy” written on them and are available in black, red, blue, yellow and cream. These stems clamp directly around the fork’s steering tube. The stems were sold individually and on custom-built bicycles. Bicycle dealers nationwide sold the stems from March 1997 through April 2000 for $50.

Bicycles with the recalled stem can be returned to a Profile Design retailer. Profile Design is also offering free, replacement stems. For more information, call Profile Design at (888) 800-5999.

Small Beginnings Inc., of Hesperia, Calif., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 16,000 pacifiers because they failed CPSC testing standards, presenting a choking hazard to infants.

There have been no injuries reported.

The Pacee pacifiers recalled are aqua blue with a soft, butterfly-shaped shield and semi-circle tab handle. “Pacee” and “Small Beginnings” are imprinted on the shield in addition to the firm’s toll-free number. Hospital and medical supply companies distributed the $1 pacifiers from October 1999 through April 2000.

Consumers should return the pacifiers to Small Beginnings for a refund. For more information, call Small Beginnings at (800) 676-0462.

• Kent International Inc., of Parsippany, N.J., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 90,000 scooters because the handles may come out of the steering column if the clamp is loose, causing the rider to lose control and fall.

Four children have suffered injuries, including a broken wrist, a cracked tooth, broken arms, bruises and abrasions. There have been four reports of detached handles.

The Kickin’ Mini-Scooters subject to recall are made of chrome-plated steel and have a vertical decal on the steering column with the name “Kickin’ Mini-Scooter” imprinted. The scooters were sold with black backpacks embroidered in white with the word “Kickin.” Toys R Us stores nationwide sold the Kent scooters from May through September 2000 for $60.

Call Kent International to receive a free replacement handlebar with pins to secure the handlebars. For more information, call Kent at (800) 451-5368.

• Kash ’N Gold, of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling 7,500 scooters because the plastic “T” joint between the handlebars can break, causing the rider to lose control and fall.

Two injuries have been reported, including a bruised chest and a bump on the head.

The Race X20 scooters are being recalled. The scooters are made from lightweight aluminum and have translucent in-line style wheels.The nonslip surface on the deck of the scooter reads “Racer.” The scooters are mostly silver and have either blue, green, red, orange or clear wheels. Discovery and Mervyn’s stores nationwide sold the scooters from August through September 2000. The scooters also were sold on the Discovery Web site.

Return the scooters to the store where purchased for a new scooter or a refund. For more information, call Kash ’N Gold at (800) 354-8785.