Health Alerts - January 2005

J.C. Penney Corp., of Plano, Texas, is recalling 41,300 Okie Dokie pajama sets because the heat-sealed patches on the front can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

There has been one report of a patch detaching. No injuries have been reported.

The pajama shirts are heather gray with red or blue sleeves and with heat-sealed alligator and football patches on the front. The collar tag reads“Okie Dokie.” The pajama pants are red or blue with cartoon pictures of alligators, footballs and stars, and the word“football.”

J.C. Penney stores nationwide sold the pajama sets from June through September 2004 for about $22.

Consumers should return the pajama sets to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, call the J.C. Penney Customer Service Department at (888) 333-6063 or visit www.jcpenney.com.

Meijer Distribution Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich., is recalling 14,400 children's snowsuits and jackets because the decorative compasses and corded zipper pull tags can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The firm has received one report of a young child removing the decorative compass from a jacket and placing a plastic piece in her mouth. No injuries have been reported.

The snowsuits and jackets were sold in children's sizes 12M through 24M and 2T through 5T and under the brand name “Falls-Creek.” Both items have a small compass attached to the front of the jackets. The two-piece snowsuits include a jacket and overalls.

Meijer retail stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois sold the items from August to October 2004. The snowsuits and jackets sold for $15 to $43.

Consumers can cut off the compasses and corded zipper pull tags or return the recalled snowsuits and jackets to Meijer retailers for a refund. Call Meijer at (866) 280-8419 or visit www.meijer.com.

Hanna Anderson, of Portland, Ore., is recalling 1,900 pairs of children's corduroy overalls because the buttons on the front and side panels can detach,posing a choking hazard to young children.

The firm has received two reports of buttons detaching from garments. No injuries have been reported.

The overalls, style number 27267, are 100% cotton corduroy and were sold in red and blue from the Hanna Anderson's catalog and Web site from July 12 through Oct. 15, 2004, for about $38.

For more information, call Hanna Anderson at (800) 222-0544.

Answer Products Inc., of Valencia, Calif., is recalling 8,032 Manitou Bicycle Suspension Forks because the top of the fork, when fully compressed,may contact the front tire, resulting in the rider losing control and falling. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves 2005 Manitou Nixon, Stance and Sherman bicycle suspension forks installed on various high-end mountain bicycles.

Retailers and distributors sold bicycles with the recalled forks from July through September 2004 for more than $1,000.

Consumers should check the back of the lower leg portion of the fork for a decal stating, “Tire Clearance Upgrade Installed.” If absent,consumers should stop using the bicycle and call Answer Products Inc. at (800)423-0273 to arrange for a free travel upgrade kit to be installed at no cost. Consumers should discard the old owners' manual and download updated versions at www.answerproducts.com/productmanuals.aspor call the company to request a manual.

Cannondale Bicycle Corp., of Bethel, Conn., is recalling 2,600“Crossroads” and “Perimeter” handlebar bags because the bags can fall off the bicycle while it is being ridden, causing the rider to crash.

Cannondale has received one report of a rider crashing when a bag fell under his front wheel while he was riding, resulting in serious injuries.

The recall involves 2004 and 2005 models of the black“Crossroads” and “Perimeter” handlebar bags. They are the quick-release type bags, made of plastic and with a support sleeve to secure it to bicycles. The Cannondale logo is on the front of the bags. Only bags with the pattern of reflective material and logo are included in the recall.

Cannondale bicycle stores nationwide sold the bags from September 2003 through August 2004 for about $35 for the Perimeter bag and $60 for the Crossroads bag.

Consumers should stop using the bags and return them to a Cannondale store or contact Cannondale Bicycle Corp. to get a replacement bag fitted with a corrected sleeve and support system. Call Cannondale at (800) 245-3872 or visit www.cannondale.com.

Classic Sport Companies Inc., of Broomfield, Colo., is recalling 1,470 Classic Sport Underlit Table Soccer games because the lighting structures may spark if the tube lights aren't properly installed, posing a fire hazard.

There have been two reports of tables catching fire. No injuries were reported.

The recall involves Classic Sport Underlit Table Soccer games, models X0725, X0743 and X0761. The game is a soccer table with a glass playing surface and fluorescent tube lighting mounting underneath, causing the playing surface to illuminate when turned on.

Galyan's Sports and Outdoors, The Sports Chalet and The Sports Authority(including Gart Sports, Sportmart and Oshman's) sold the table soccer games from August to October 2004 for about $900 for the X0725 model and $600 for the X0743 and X0761 models.

Consumers should disconnect power to the table soccer game and return the unit for a full refund, or contact Classic Sport for a rebate for the removal of the lighting fixture. Call (800) 225-5712 or visit www.classicsport.com.

Bilt-Safe Technologies Inc., of Erwin, Tenn., is recalling 60,000 electric blankets because the blanket can overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Bilt-Safe has received 86 reports of the blankets overheating or charring,including three reports of minor skin burns. The blankets can overheat when the temperature controller is reset multiple times, when the blanket is folded or when the blanket is covered with additional blankets.

The automatic warming blankets fit all mattress sizes and were sold in blue and beige under the Bilt-Safe and Comfort Max brand names. The temperature control is removable and plugs into a module at the bottom of the blanket. The recalled units have the following model numbers, which are located on a tag sewn to the blanket: BST-03-A-F, BST-03-A-Q and BST-03-A-T.

Family Dollar Stores, Peebles Inc. and Le Roux at Home stores nationwide sold the blankets from October 2003 through February 2004 for $40 to $100.

Consumers should stop using the electric blankets immediately and contact Bilt-Safe at (800) 905-0799 to receive a free replacement controller.

Aloha Housewares Inc., of Arlington, Texas, is recalling 30,000 Aloha radiant heaters because the recessed thermal protector may cause a fire hazard if the heater is left on while covered by a blanket or similar item.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The heaters are model 02931, with date code 02/07. The model and date code are printed on the bottom of the heater. The heater is gray and has the name Airtech printed on it.

Wal-Mart stores nationwide sold the heaters from September through April 2003 for about $16.

Consumers should stop using the recalled heaters and contact Aloha Customer Service to arrange for a free replacement. Call Aloha at (800) 295-4448 or e-mail [email protected].

Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, is recalling 18,000 Lakewood MPH-25 fanforced mini-personal electric heaters because electrical failure can lead to overheating and melting of plastic parts,posing a fire hazard.

Lakewood is aware of three incidents where the heater failed, causing plastic parts to melt. No injuries have been reported.

The heaters are model number MPH-25 and were sold nationwide from August 2001 through November 2004 for $13 to $15.

Consumers should stop using the heaters, unplug them and contact Lakewood for instructions on how to receive a free replacement heater. Call Lakewood at(888) 858-3506 or visit www.lakewoodeng.com.