Consumerist
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recalls
Recall Roundup: Extra Scary Edition
It's Halloween, and what's scarier than exploding DVD player batteries and killer flatware? Or dairy lurking in an innocent-looking tortilla? What about a zombie ATV that accelerates on its own? More » -
slowpokes
First Results Of Gov Study Of Chinese Drywall Inconclusive, But More Tests To Come
Yesterday the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced some findings from its study of the problematic Chinese drywall, which 1,900 Florida homeowners have complained stinks and makes people sick. The commission told the Associated Press that "no connections have been made yet," but that they're doing more tests—which means there's still no definitive answer on who should be held financially responsible if the homes have to be gutted and repaired, which the Wall Street Journal says could cost as much as $25 billion dollars. More » -
deadly nightwear
Blair Recalls More Flammable Clothing After Yet Another Fire
"Consumers Urged to Stop Use of Flammable Wearing Apparel," says the warning on the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site. You would think so, wouldn't you? But Blair, the catalog where your grandmother probably gets all of her clothes, has expanded their recall of chenille sleepwear after nine deaths and another reported chenille fire. More » -
maybe this time
Air Compressor Company Re-Recalls 700,000 Products After Continuing To Receive Injury Complaints
In 2006, DeVilbiss recalled nearly 700,000 pressure washers and air compressors to replace the pneumatic tires, which were sometimes bursting on models that used plastic rims. Apparently not enough consumers responded then, because the complaints keep rolling in, so they've announced a do-over. More » -
fines
Target Must Pay $600,000 To Settle Lead Paint Charges
Looks like the CPSC can afford donuts tomorrow for their office: Target has agreed to pay $600,000 for selling toys with too much lead on them from May 2006 to August 2007, reports Reuters. The fine "resolves allegations" over the issue, so now Target can focus on what it does best, which is act crazy. More » -
recalls
Recent Recalls
These products were recalled recently. Watch out!
MI Cornelius Juice Dispensers (fire)
Big Lots Wooden Bunk Beds (collapse and falling)
Single and Double "Parachute" Hammocks (falling)
Clarks Children's Shoes (choking)
Trudeau Garlic Duo Slicers (laceration)
10 Speed SRAM Bicycle Chains with PowerLock connector links (falling)
Team Work Trading Children's Animal Masks and Pendants (lead) -
Great news, homeowners! Drywall manufactured in China from waste byproducts may have a horrible stench and corrode everything in your house, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission has concluded that at least it's not radioactive. [Consumer Reports Safety]
(Photo: Velo Steve)
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special treatment
Mattel, Primary Reason For Toy Safety Law, Gets Exempted From It
When the CPSIA—the toy safety law that requires independent lab tests on toys—was passed, a lot of smaller toy manufacturers complained that it was really a dirty trick by the big toy companies to increase overhead for the small ones. Now comes word that the government has secretly exempted Mattel from the law's testing requirements—even though Mattel was responsible for 6 lead-tainted toy recalls in 2007. More » -
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recalls
Over 5 Million Window Treatments Recalled Today, While Nation's Peeping Toms Celebrate*
Three children have died after being strangled in the cords of window blinds, so today six companies announced a massive recall of several brands of window treatments. More » -
recalls
More Dead Infants Prompt Re-Recall Of Simplicity Bassinet
The CPSC has issued a second recall of convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets made by Simplicity after learning of two additional infant deaths since the bassinets were recalled last August. Here is a Consumer Reports video explaining the dangers of the recalled bassinets. More » -
More than one million play yards made by Kolcraft and sold under a variety of names have been recalled. Brands include Kolcraft, Carter's, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bears and Eric Carle. There's a problem with the side rail, and children can fall out. Check to see if yours is affected at the CPSC.
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everything will kill you
Recall Roundup - Pretty Much Everything Is Catching Fire
The big news in recalls this week was continuing recalls of Simplicity drop-side cribs. Since the company is no longer in business, in order to get the crib away from your children, return it to the retailer where it was purchased. Also, check your home for other problematic recalled Simplicity products. More » -
fines
Lead Paint To Cost OKK $655,000
The OKK Trading company has agreed to pay a $655,000 fine for violating the federal ban on lead in children's toys. Over the past two years, the California-based company has issued six recalls spanning almost 18,000 toys and baby products. More » -
oversight
Obama To Call For Financial Watchdog Agency
Tomorrow, President Obama is expected to call for the creation of a new watchdog agency that would help protect consumers from abusive credit card, mortgage, banking practices. The banking industry is not happy about the idea, reports CNN. But hey, they're just looking out for us: "It's bad for consumers," a banking industry lobbyist told the network. Oh, well, never mind then, and pass me some more delicious subprime! More » -
mattel
Mattel Will Pay $2.3 Million Penalty For All Those Lead Toys
Remember back when lead toys were all the rage? Oh, those dangerous days, when you couldn't lick a Dora the Explorer doll without fear of memory loss! Well, Mattel and the Consumer Prouct Safety Commission (CPSC) have reached an agreement on how much Mattel should pay for importing toys that exceeded U.S. lead safety guidelines, and the amount is $2.3 million. Maybe now the CPSC can use some of that money to grease the DC wheels and get their new chair nominee confirmed.
"Mattel to Pay $2.3 Million Penalty for Toy Hazard" [Bloomberg]
(Photo: IntangibleArts) -
recalls
Recall Roundup
Umbrellas, toy beach chairs, swingsets, and mysteriously collapsing benches. What do they have in common? All of them have been recalled for various reasons in the last month. More » -
Nord Stepping Down As CPSC Chair. Nancy Nord, the acting chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, will step down from that position on June 1, handing the lame duck throne to fellow commissioner Thomas Moore. Nord plans to remain a commissioner until her term ends in 2012. Moore will remain acting chair until the Senate confirms a new commissioner to that seat. Confirmation hearings for Inez Moore Tenenbaum, President Obama's pick for that role, have not yet been scheduled. [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
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recall
Samsung Recalling Some Jitterbug Cell Phones; Potential Failure To Connect To 911
Samsung and the CPSC are recalling some "Jitterbug" cell phones because the pay-as-you-go phones, which come with a "Live Nurse" option and are marketed to older Americans, might not be able to reach 911 when in a no-service area. More »
cpsc
New York, 6:53 PM
Sat Nov 7
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