When a product is recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it becomes illegal for a retailer to continue to sell that item. But Home Depot apparently wasn’t following that rule for the past three years, selling 28 different products after they were recalled. [More]
consumer product safety commission
Thirteen Manufacturers Recall 1.3 Million Bikes Over Quick-Release Lever Crash Hazard
By 9.30.15
Thirteen companies are recalling nearly 1.3 million bicycles equipped with front disc brakes and quick-release levers that can cause the front tire to lock up or completely separate from the bike, posing an increased risk of injury to riders. [More]
IKEA Recalling 442,000 Nightlights Over Shock Risk
By 8.18.15
Ah, the nightlight: that beam of hope that cuts through the dark and soothed us when we were young and afraid. Or you know, old and also still not cool with complete blackness. In either case, you might want to check if your nightlight is one of the 442,000 IKEA is recalling after a child received a minor electrical shock when handling one. [More]
Cribs Recalled After Reports That Brackets Can Break, Trapping Or Injuring Infants
By 7.16.15
All recalls are important to take note of, but those related to the safety of products used specifically for the youngest consumers – babies – are often of the utmost importance. And while a recent recall for Bexco is relatively small, because there’s a risk of entrapment of infants the issue falls into the “take note” category. [More]
Lululemon Recalls Drawstrings From Tops Because No One Wants To Be Hit Repeatedly While Running
By 6.25.15
The last thing you want to endure after finishing your workout or while enjoying a little down time in your comfy-cozy sweatshirt is for the strings on that thing to attack. But that’s apparently what’s been happening for owners of several Lululemon Althletica apparel items, and now the company has recalled an inordinate amount of women’s tops. [More]
How Recalls Work (And Don’t) And Why They’re All So Different
By 6.8.15
Manufacturers — of all kinds — usually try hard to get it right on the first try. From banana muffins to bicycle helmets, it’s in a company’s best interests to make their products perfect. Not only is it better for their reputation and their business, but it’s less expensive, in the long run, and causes less trouble. Sometimes, though, something just goes wrong. [More]
IKEA Expands Crib Mattress Recall To Include Five Additional Styles
By 5.1.15
All recalls are important to take note of, but ones related to baby products are often of the greatest concern. And IKEA’s expansion of a six-month old recall to include an additional 150,000 crib mattresses because of the risk of entrapment would fall into that category. [More]
Black & Decker To Pay $1.57M Penalty For Failing To Report Defects Of Lawnmower That Started On Its Own
By 5.1.15
Under federal law, manufacturers, distributors and retailers are required to immediately report information regarding possible safety defects to the Consumer Product Safety Commission within 24 hours of obtaining reasonable supporting evidence. That 24-hour window allegedly turned into 11 years for Black & Decker and now the company must pay a nearly $1.6 million fine for failing report safety issues related to an electric lawnmower that started spontaneously, injuring at least two consumers. [More]
Thousands Of Shark Vacuum Cleaners Recalled For Shock Hazard
By 4.23.15
Commercials for Shark vacuum cleaners boast the devices’ plethora of uses: detaching the canister to clean at the top of bookshelves, easy swivel movements and powerful suction abilities. One thing the ads don’t discuss is the possibility that users could be shocked while using the device. For that reason, nearly 142,000 vacuums are being recalled. [More]
Trek Recalls 998,000 Bikes Over Brake Issue That Left One Rider Paralyzed
By 4.22.15
Trek is recalling almost one million bikes in the United States and Canada after an issue with a quick-release lever on the bike’s front wheel hub left one rider permanently paralyzed. [More]
Report: Injuries Related To Bounce Houses, Other Inflatable Attractions, On The Rise
By 3.6.15
Is it every kid’s dream to go flying through the air, light as a bird, only to land safely on a soft surface? Perhaps. But that doesn’t mean that all of those inflatable bounce houses, castles, slides and other amusements are necessarily safe for children, and a federal agency is pointing to a rise in injuries on such attractions to make sure parents are aware of the risks. [More]
Kidde Recalls 5M Disposable Fire Extinguishers Because Fire Extinquishers Should Put Out Fires
By 2.12.15
The thing about fire extinguishers is that when there’s a fire, you have a reasonable expectation that the device can put out said fire. But that apparently isn’t the case for nearly 5 million Kidde plastic disposable fire extinguishers being recalled. [More]
Report: Fewer Children Killed By Recalled Products, But Company Aren’t Doing Enough To Notify Consumers
By 2.10.15
Each year thousands of manufacturers recalled potentially dangerous and deadly products. While systems in place to notify consumers of these issues have resulted in fewer deaths and injuries in recent years, a new report has found that companies aren’t using their power on social media to protect consumers. [More]
Go-Cart Maker Hit With $4.3M Penalty For Failing To Immediately Report Dangerous Defects
By 10.28.14
Through its recall power, the Consumer Product Safety Commission aims to protect Americans from unreasonable risks found in the things they buy. And when companies know about a defective product but don’t tell the CPSC right away, they can end up facing millions of dollars in penalties for delaying a recall. Just ask the South Carolina go-cart manufacturer hit with the agency’s largest-ever penalty. [More]
Fitbit Puts Allergen Warning Labels On Wearables
By 10.20.14
You may remember the Fitbit Force, a fitness-tracking wristband that went on the market at the end of 2013, then was eventually recalled after Consumerist brought rashes caused by the devices to the world’s attention. We’ve heard reports that the Force’s less intelligent cousin, the Flex, also caused skin irritation in some wearers. Know who else heard that? The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fortunately for Fitbit, they’re only getting a warning. Label. [More]
Meijer Agrees To Pay $2M Fine For Continued Distribution Of 12 Recalled Products
By 9.19.14
By now we should all know that once a product has been formally recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is illegal for a retailer to sell that item – or to distribute that item to other stores. Yet, there have been several cases in which that rule isn’t followed, leading to stiff fines for the stores. The latest case involves national retailer Meijer paying $2 million in penalties for the continued distribution of 12 recalled products. [More]
Brita Recalls Hello Kitty, SpongeBob, Dora, Ninja Turtles Water Bottles Because Kids Don’t Like Lacerated Lips
By 8.21.14
Taking a drink of water should be a pain-free experience – I mean it’s just water, right? That might not be the case when it comes to a set of Brita’s children-friendly water bottles that have the potential to create a painful situation by cutting drinkers. [More]
CPSC Finally Announces Recall Of Buckyballs, Kicking Off Refund Process
By 7.17.14
After two years of fighting the makers of Buckyballs and related Buckycubes to get the manufacturer to issue a recall of the magnetic toys that health experts say can rip through your gut if swallowed, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says it’s reached a settlement with the owner of the former company, and consumers can start filing their refund requests. [More]
