The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Radio Flyer in Chicago announced the recall of 165,000 Scoot ‘n Zoom riding toys today because the red plastic toy can tip over while being ridden and that is apparently not the original point of the toy. [More]
cpsc
CPSC Chair Tenenbaum: We're Not Trying To Play "Gotcha" With Manufacturers
By 8.3.11
Regular readers of Consumerist know that we cover a lot of recalls — from faulty booster seats to wine openers with potentially bloody consequences — many of them announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. We recently met with CPSC chair Inez Tenenbaum to discuss how the commission works with manufacturers on everything from the recall process to new standards on lead and drop-side cribs, and why some within the commission are attempting to scuttle its new products database. [More]
Got Questions For The Consumer Product Safety Commission? Ask Away
By 7.21.11
Later this afternoon, I’ll be meeting with Inez Tenenbaum, Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to talk about everything from the process of determining whether or not to issue a product recall to the CPSC’s work in getting lead paint off kids’ toys to opponents’ attempts to gut the just-created recall database. [More]
Dollar Tree Recalls 117,000 Glass Candles For Shattering
By 7.13.11
117,000 glass votive candle holders sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, and Dollar Tree Deal$ stores have been recalled. They can shatter when they’re lit, leaving glass and fire all over the place where it can cut and/or burn you. [More]
Macy's To Pay $750K For Selling Hoodies With Drawstrings
By 7.11.11
When I was a young thing, the drawstring on your hooded sweatshirt was something to chew on or play with while being bored to death in school. But as of 2006, such drawstrings have been considered strangulation hazards in children’s clothing. That, however, didn’t stop Macy’s from selling hoodies, jackets and other kids’ clothing with drawstrings, which is why the retailer now has to pay a penalty of $750,000. [More]
Your Baby's Crib Probably Fails Tough New Safety Rules
By 6.30.11
Does your crib pass the new strict safety rules that went into effect Tuesday? Most likely not. “Newly required safety tests are so stringent that few cribs in American homes — even those that have escaped recall after recall — are sturdy enough to pass them,” reports the Los Angeles Times. “As a result, federal regulators recommend that families that can afford to do so buy new cribs and destroy their old ones.” Here’s what you need to know. [More]
House Committee Votes To Gut Safe Products Database
By 6.23.11
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s public database, SaferProducts.gov, which allows people to report unsafe products and search recalls and safety reports, has only been around since March. And already the House Appropriations Committee has moved to cut funding for the project. [More]
Combination Axe/Knife Recalled Due To Laceration Hazard
By 4.1.11
You can cut yourself when using an axe with a knife that nestles inside the handle? Who knew? Silly as it might sound, this is a real hazard, since the knife can theoretically fall out of the axe handle while you’re using the axe to chop. A related product that contains a saw instead of a knife has not been recalled. The company that distributes the product, Gerber Legendary Blades (part of Fiskars) has received five reports of five injuries that required stitches, so stop giggling. [More]
CPSC Deems Water-Walking Balls A "Deadly Danger"
By 3.31.11
For millions of Americans, swimming pool season isn’t far around the corner (if it ever stops snowing, that is). But before we’ve even strapped on our floaties, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a warning on those huge, inflatable “water-walking” balls, which the CPSC says present the double threat of suffocation and drowning. [More]
1.7 Million Summer Infant Baby Monitors Recalled After 2 Babies Die
By 2.14.11
1.7 million Summer Infant video baby monitors were recalled after two babies died after they wrapped their necks in the electrical cords of the the devices that were placed too close to their crib. “I urge all parents and caregivers to put at least 3 feet between any video or audio baby monitor cords and a child in a crib,” Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said in a statement. “This simple step can save your child’s life.” [More]
CPSC Says Lead Wizard Of Oz Glasses "Are Not Children's Products"
By 12.13.10
A recent study commissioned by the AP showed that dozens of decorative glasses featuring superheros (like Wonder Woman and Superman) and movie characters (like the cast of Wizard of Oz), have “up to 1,000 times more” lead than is currently allowed for children’s products. The AP asked the CPSC to issue a recall. The CPSC’s response? The glasses are not children’s products. [More]
Target Recalls Camping Combo Packs Because Kids Are Not Meant To Be Roasted On The Campfire
By 12.8.10
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of a kid’s camping kit sold at Target over a potential fire hazard. [More]
Lowe's Recalls 11 Million Roman Shades & Roll-Up Blinds
By 12.2.10
Roman shades and roll-up blinds have become the drop-side cribs of the home decor world. They’re a known risk and there have been industry-wide recalls, and yet they continue to be made (shoddily) and sold… only to be recalled. This time, it’s Lowe’s Home Centers recalling just about every Roman shade and roll-up blind it’s sold since 1999. [More]
Black & Decker and Haier Freezers Recalled Because Cold Stuff Isn't Supposed To Burst Into Flames
By 11.2.10
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Haier America have announced the recall of 67,500 Black & Decker and Haier chest freezers over a potential fire hazard. [More]
GE Recalls 174,000 Dishwashers Because You Don't Need Flames To Clean Plates
By 10.26.10
It’s been a bad week for kitchen appliances. First Frigidaire recalls a ton of cooktops and ranges and now GE has issued a substantial recall on 174,000 of its Profile and Monogram dishwashers after learning of a potential fire hazard. [More]
122,000 Frigidaire Electric Cooktops & Ranges Recalled For Flame Hazard
By 10.22.10
One thing you don’t usually worry about with an electric stove is flames. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of 122,000 Frigidaire and Electrolux ICON Smoothtop Electric Cooktops and Frigidaire Slide-in Ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays because of a possible fire hazard. [More]
2 Million Graco Strollers Recalled Over Strangulation Hazard
By 10.20.10
Following four reports of infant strangulation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Graco Children’s Products Inc have announced the recall of about 2 million Graco strollers due to risk of entrapment and strangulation. [More]
Dollar Tree Recalls 275,000 Super Hero Flashlights For Being Too Damn Hot
By 10.19.10
Dollar Tree and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a recall for a trio of toy “projector flashlights” featuring Wolverine, Spider-Man and Iron Man because they can overheat to the point of melting or even bursting into flames. [More]
