Health Alerts - February 2004

Merit Furniture Distributors Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., is recalling 524 bunk beds because they have openings between the guardrails and in the end structures that are large enough for a child’s body to slide between, and children could become entrapped and strangle.

No incidents have been reported.

The wooden twin-over-twin bunk beds are models DLM550, DLM160 and 860. The wooden bunk beds are labeled with the “Merit” name and specific model numbers on the top front railing system of the bunk beds.

Furniture stores nationwide sold the bunk beds from May 2002 through August 2003 for about $150. Call Merit at (800) 233-7178 or visit www.meritfurnituredistributors.com for information on how to return the bed and receive a refund.

American Greetings Corp., of Cleveland, is recalling 122,700 DesignWare zipper pulls because they could separate and detach from the zipper, posing a choking hazard to young children.

No incidents have been reported.

This accessory is a 2-inch plastic blue or purple butterfly-shaped photo holder that can be attached to a zipper. There are four items in a package. The packaging, with pink cardboard backing, shows model number ZPL 1820 and UPC 18100 72866 on the back.

The zipper pulls were sold at discount, toy, drug, grocery, party and specialty/gift stores nationwide from January 2001 to November 2003 for about $4. Take these zipper pulls away from young children, and call the company at (800) 777-4891 to receive an American Greetings coupon.

SCI Promotion Group LLC of Ontario, Calif., and Scripto-Tokai Corp. of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., are recalling 448,000 mini-flashlights because the battery compartment can overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

There have been two reports of flashlights overheating but no injuries.

The mini-flashlights were provided to consumers as a free gift with the purchase of Aim n’ Flame II multipurpose lighters. The black plastic flashlight is about 5 ¼4 inches long with a thin red ring around the barrel. There is no safety issue relating to the multipurpose lighter, and it is not recalled.

Home improvement, discount, convenience, grocery and drug stores nationwide sold the multipurpose lighters with the flashlights from September to November 2003 for $4 to $6.

Consumers should remove the batteries and discard the mini-flashlights. For more information, call SCI Promotion Group LLC at (877) 746-7426.

• The May Department Stores Co., of St. Louis, is recalling 57,660 girls’ hooded fleece jackets because the zipper pull can detach from these jackets, posing a choking hazard to young children.

No incidents have been reported.

These jackets have either the brand name “Just Friends” or “Angel Fish” sewn on the inside collar. “Just Friends” also is printed on the right pocket. Jackets with style number 60103 were sold in girls’ sizes 4-6X in pink, green, blue and lilac. Jackets with style number 60104 were sold in girls’ sizes 4-6X in lilac, melon and turquoise. Jackets with style number 70103 were sold in toddlers’ sizes 2T-4T in pink, mint green and lilac. The style number can be found on the jacket’s hang tag.

May Department Stores Co. stores, including Lord & Taylor (which sold the “Angel Fish” brand exclusively), Filene’s/Kaufmann’s, Robinsons-May/Meier & Frank, Hecht’s/Strawbridge’s, Foley’s, Famous-Barr/L.S. Ayres/The Jones Store sold the girls’ jackets from July to October 2003 for about $13.

Consumers should return the jacket to the store where purchased for a refund or store credit. For more information, call the May Department Stores Co. at (314) 342-6468.

• Meijer Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich., is recalling 7,500 Falls Creek army flight jackets because children can get entangled and strangle in drawstrings that catch on objects, including playground equipment, fences and tree branches.

No incidents have been reported.

The jackets are boys’ sizes 4 to 7 and 8 to 18, as well as toddlers’ sizes 2T to 5T. These jackets are made of blue or olive nylon fabric and are decorated with patriotic patches on the sleeves, chest and back. The hood is bordered with synthetic brown and tan fur.

Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky sold the jackets from July to October 2003 for $26 to $33.

Consumers should stop wearing the jacket. To return it for a refund, call Meijer toll-free at (866) 280-8419 or visit www.meijer.com. Parents also can remove the drawstring, which will make the jacket safe for children to wear.

• Wal-Mart, of Bentonville, Ark., is recalling 171,000 Home Trends Ice Holiday Collection candle gift sets because paint on the exterior surface is flammable, posing a fire hazard.

No injuries or incidents have been reported.

There are four types of Home Trends Ice Holiday Collection candle gift sets being recalled: Snow House, Snowflake, Snowman and Painted Snowman; each set contains three candles with a scene painted on the exterior.

Wal-Mart stores nationwide sold these candle gift sets from September to December 2003 for about $10.

Consumers should stop using the product and return it to Wal-Mart for a refund. For more information, call Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278.

• Home Interiors & Gifts Inc. of Carrollton, Texas, is recalling 14,338 Snow Play candleholders because flames from the votive candle can set fire to the rope, posing a fired hazard.

There have been two reports of the rope on the candleholder catching fire but no reports of injuries or property damage.

The candleholder is about 6 inches high and is packaged in a box with “Home Interiors” printed on the top of the box. Each candleholder has three snowmen linked by a small rope “sledding” down a hill around the votive candleholder. The snowmen are painted red, blue and green.

Home Interiors’ direct sales associates exclusively sold the candleholders from July to October 2003 for $14.99.

Stop using the candleholder and return it to Home Interiors & Gifts, 2901 Trade Center, Suite 100, Carrollton, TX 75007, Attn: Snow Play Recall. Clearly mark the outside of the box with name, return address and total number of candleholders being returned to receive a $20 gift certificate from Home Interiors. For more information, call Home Interiors toll-free at (800) 818-2062.

• Cape Craftsman, of Wilmington, N.C., and Coldwater Creek, of Sandpoint, Idaho, are recalling 800 Mica Tree candleholders because flames from the tealight candle can ignite the candleholder, posing a fire and burn hazard.

There has been one report of the rectangle-shaped candleholder igniting after a consumer lit the tealight candle.

No injuries have been reported.

The recalled copper and mica candleholders were sold in rectangular and square shapes. The 8 ½2 inch tall, square candleholder has a cutout of an evergreen tree on each side. The 10-inch tall, rectangular candleholder has cutouts of an evergreen tree, a star and moon on each side.

Coldwater Creek stores nationwide sold the candleholders from October through November 2003 for about $20.

Contact the company to receive information on returning the product for a refund, including postage. A $20 gift card also will be provided when the merchandise is returned.

For more information, call Coldwater Creek toll-free at (800) 262-0040 or visit www.coldwatercreek.com.

• Crate and Barrel, of Northbrook, Ill., is recalling 800 Hanukkah menorahs because the acrylic base can ignite if the candles are allowed to burn completely, posing a fire hazard.

One incident has been reported without any injuries.

The menorah (SKU number 589-055) has a clear acrylic base with brass candle cups, accommodating nine standard menorah candles.

The item was sold at Crate and Barrel stores nationwide and online at www.crateandbarrel.com from October to December 2003 for about $25.

Stop using the menorah and return it to the store for a refund. For more information, call Crate and Barrel at (800) 323-5461 or visit www.crateandbarrel.com.

American Greetings Corp., of Cleveland, is recalling 17,000 DesignWare Crazy Bounce Balls because they can break apart, posing a choking hazard to young children.

No injuries have been reported.

The toy is a 1 ½-inch multicolored cluster of green, light green and brick red rubber balls, sold with four clusters in each package. Model number CBB 1306 and UPC 61526 72866 are printed on the back of the packaging.

The bounce bal s were sold at discount, toy, drug, grocery, party and specialty/gift stores nationwide from November 2002 to August 2003 for about $3.

Consumers should take these balls away from young children, and call the company at (800) 777-4891 for an American Greetings coupon.

Schylling Associates Inc., of Rowley, Mass., is recalling 14,700 Jack-in-the-box toys because the bead on the crank can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

No incidents have been reported.

The toys come in three types: Cat in the Hat, Olivia the Pig, and a bear. Each one plays “Pop Goes the Weasel” when the crank is turned.

They were sold at specialty stores, gift shops and bookstores nationwide from June to November 2003 for about $20.

Take these toys away from children and call Schylling Associates Inc. at (800) 767-8697 for information about a refund or replacement toy.

Wet Seal Inc., of Foothill Ranch, Calif., is recalling 5,500 items of girls’ loungewear because they fail to meet federal flammability standards, posing a risk for serious burn injuries.

No injuries have been reported.

The 15 different styles of loungewear involved in this recall are available in girls’ sizes small through extra-large (equivalent to girls’ sizes 7-14). The items are labeled “Zutopia” and have the following type numbers: 3254, 3256, S3258, 3252, 3255, 3261, 3262, 3257, 3267, 33340722, 33106182, 33340685, 33105727, 32771848, 32771893. Some of the items are two-piece sets, and some are just pants.

The loungewear was sold at Zutopia stores nationwide from January to October 2003 for $18 to $26.50.

Parents should return the loungewear to any Zutopia store for a refund or exchange and receive a $10 credit for a future purchase. For more information, call Wet Seal at (866) 475-2255 or e-mail [email protected].

Planet 3, of Deerfield, Ill., is recalling 3,500 “Cherry Bentwood” model television stands because the stand can tip over when a television is placed on it, posing a risk for serious injury or even death.

No incidents have been reported.

The three-tier stand, made from mahogany wood with curved glass ends, is 30 inches high and 45 inches wide, and designed for televisions up to 36 inches in diameter. Model number PTT 22018 is printed on the packaging and instructions; there is no writing on the stand itself.

Circuit City stores nationwide sold the television stands from July to September 2003 for about $250.

Remove televisions from the stands immediately, and return the stands to Circuit City for a refund. For more information, call Planet 3 toll-free at (888) 616-5700.

Arctic Cat Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn., is recalling 3,700 Model Year 2003 Arctic Cat Firecat snowmobiles with red plastic skis because the skis could be damaged by ultraviolet light exposure and vulnerable to breaking during use, posing risk of severe injury, including death.

No incidents have been reported.

The skis (part number 1703-131) were used on a number of 2003 Arctic Cat Firecat models. All 2003 Arctic Cat Firecat snowmobiles produced with red plastic skis are included in this recall.

The snowmobiles were sold at Arctic Cat dealerships worldwide from June 2002 to December 2003 for $6,500 to $8,500.

Consumers should stop using these snowmobiles and contact an Arctic Cat snowmobile dealer to schedule a free repair. For more information, call Arctic Cat at (800) 279-2281 or visit www.arcticcat.com/snowmobiles.

Family Dollar Services Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., is recalling 60,000 Durex Procraft outdoor extension cords because their use could result in an electric shock or electrocution to consumers.

No incidents have been reported.

The green, 25-foot-long extension cords were sold in blue and black packaging. An Underwriters Laboratories’ label is attached to the cord showing code E-174825. The item UPC code (0 74972 01025 1) is on the lower right corner of the back of the package.

The recalled extension cords were sold at Family Dollar Stores nationwide from June to November 2003 for $3.

Return the cords to any Family Dollar Store for a refund. For more information, call (800) 682-0097.