Largest crib recall over: over 1,000,000

From the Chicago Tribune:

Federal regulators today recalled about 1 million cribs made by Simplicity Inc. because the drop rail on some of the nation's best-selling models can detach from the crib, creating a dangerous gap that has led to the deaths of at least three children.

Following a Chicago Tribune investigation to be published this weekend, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of cribs sold under both the Simplicity and Graco name. It is the largest recall of full-size cribs since the agency was created in the 1970s.

"We want parents to know,'' CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said in an interview. "We do not want your child in that crib tonight.

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission bulletin released today follows:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., of about 1 million cribs. The drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.

CPSC is also investigating the death of a 1-year-old child in a Simplicity crib with newer style hardware, in which the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is warning parents and caregivers to check all Simplicity cribs to make sure the drop-side is installed right side up.

The drop-side failures result from both the hardware and crib design, which allow consumers to unintentionally install the drop-side upside down. This, in turn, can weaken the hardware and cause the drop-side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side detaches, it creates a gap in which infants can become entrapped.

CPSC is also aware of two incidents that occurred when the drop-side was correctly installed with older style hardware, though the upside down installation greatly increases the risk of failure.

The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery-in-a-Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Chelsea and Pooh 4 in 1. The recall also involves the following Simplicity cribs that used the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in1, Ultra 5 in 1, Whitney and the Trio.

The recalled cribs have one of the following model numbers, which can be found on the envelope attached to the mattress support and on the label attached to the headboard: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760, and 8996.

The cribs, which were made in China, were sold in department stores, children’s stores and mass merchandisers nationwide from January 1998 through May 2007 for between $100 and $300.

As an immediate precaution, consumers should check to see if the drop-side is installed right side up. To do this, check to see that the slightly rounded rail with the decorative groove is installed at the top and the plain rail is on the bottom. Next, consumers should make sure the drop-side is securely attached to the tracks in all four corners.

Close-up of a Correctly Installed Drop-side

Close-up of an Incorrectly Installed Drop-side

If the drop-side is installed upside down or not securely attached, consumers should stop using the crib immediately. Incorrect installation can cause permanent damage to the hardware and re-installing the drop-side using the same hardware is unsafe.

Consumers should check to see if their crib contains the recalled hardware. Recalled hardware has a flexible tab at the bottom of the lower tracks and the top of the lower tracks are open. Newer hardware, which is not subject to the recall, has the flexible tab located at the top of the lower track, and a permanent stop at the bottom.

Photo of Older Style Hardware





Photo of Newer Style Hardware

Consumers who have a crib with older style hardware can receive a free repair by immediately contacting Simplicity toll-free at (888) 593-9274 between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, or by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.simplicityforchildren.com

Consumers who have a crib with newer style hardware and have installed the drop-side upside down or have broken hardware, should also contact Simplicity immediately.

Keystone Manufacturing Co. and QVC Recall Convection Ovens

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cook’s Essentials Convection Ovens with Pull-Out Rotisserie and Deni Convection Ovens with Rotisserie

Units: About 32,000

Retailer: QVC of West Chester, Pa.

Distributor: Keystone Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Buffalo, N.Y.

Hazard: Wires behind the control panel can overheat, posing fire and electric shock hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: QVC has received 49 reports of incidents, including five minor burns, five electrical shocks and 11 incidents of minor property damage to kitchen cabinets and countertops.

Description: This recall involves the Cook’s Essentials Multi-Function Convection Oven with Pull-Out Rotisserie (model number 910500), which was also sold as the Deni Convection Oven with Rotisserie (model number 10500). The model number can be found on the bottom of the oven. These are countertop ovens and the brand name “Cook’s Essentials” or “Deni” is found on the front right panel.

Sold through: The Cook’s Essentials brand was sold exclusively through QVC and the Deni brand was sold through various on-line retailers from October 2006 through May 2007 for about $125.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven and contact QVC or Keystone to receive a replacement oven or a refund. QVC and Keystone have notified consumers by telephone and by mail to stop using the oven.

Consumer Contact: Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven through a QVC broadcast or at QVC.com, and who have not been contacted by QVC, should call QVC at (800) 367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET seven days a week. Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven at a QVC outlet or retail store should return the oven to the store at which it was purchased for a refund. Consumers who bought a Deni brand oven and who have not been contacted by Keystone should call Keystone at (800) 336-4822 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit QVC’s Web site at www.qvc.com or Deni’s Web site at www.deni.com

Hayes Company Inc. Recalls Outdoor Candles Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: "Avant Yarde" Decorative Glaze Outdoor Candles

Units: About 83,000

Importer/Distributor: The Hayes Company Inc., of Valley Center, Kan.

Hazard: The candle's wax can catch fire causing a high flame, which poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of consumers who suffered minor burns to their hands when they tried to extinguish flames coming from the candle.

Description: The recall involves three styles of outdoor citronella candles with a glazed lower portion that is brown, blue, or green. The item number 18134 can be located on the top left part of the label on the bottom of the candle.

Sold at: Ace Hardware stores nationwide from February 2006 through June 2007 for about $8.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled candles immediately and return them to any Ace Hardware store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact Hayes at (800) 838-5053 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hayesco.com.

Ohalee, Inc. Recalls Some Youth ATVs for Mechanical Hazards

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Ohalee FA-A70 Youth ATVs

Units: About 36

Importer: Ohalee Inc., of City of Industry, Calif.

Hazard: These youth ATVs lack front brakes and a tire pressure gauge, the date of manufacture is not printed on side of the tires, and the front suspension is solid and does not allow for travel. Additionally, the flag pole bracket is not the correct size, and the handlebars do not have padding covering sharp edges. There is no storage location for the owner’s manual, and the manual itself does not contain complete information on the safe operation and maintenance of the ATV. These defects could result in an unsafe riding condition, posing a risk of injury to young drivers.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: This recall involves the Ohalee FA-A70 Youth ATVs, which has the name “Ohalee” on the right and left side of each ATV. The 70cc size ATVs were available in the following colors: red, blue, and black.

Sold by: Odes Motorcycle Industry nationwide from June 2006 through December 2006 for about $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the ATVs and contact the retailer for a full refund. Ohalee, Inc. will contact the consumers and notify them the full refund policy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ohalee toll-free at (866) 867-5976 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site www.ohalee.com

Honeywell recalls some Apex Security Systems; could be defective

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted in cooperation with the CPSC.

Name of Product: Apex-Brand Destiny 6100 and 6100AN Security System Control Panels

Units: About 1,000

Distributor: Honeywell International Inc., of Syosset, N.Y.

Manufacturer of Control Panel: Ademco de Juarez SRL, of Mexico

Manufacturer of Memory Chip: XICOR, of Milpitas, Calif.

Hazard: The memory chip in the control panel could lose programmed values in the event of a power outage exceeding four hours. If this occurs, the panel could fail to communicate with a central monitoring station and not sound an audible notification in the event of a fire or home intrusion.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports that the product failed to work during installation. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

Description and Models: The recall involves Apex-Brand Destiny 6100 and 6100AN home security system control panels with XICOR-brand memory chips. Only units with a date code between K015 and K057 are subject to the recall. The date code appears on the product packaging. The date code includes a letter to designate the year (K=2007) followed by three numbers that indicate the day. For example, a product manufactured on the 5th day of January 2007 would have the date code "K005."

Sold at: Security distributors nationwide from January 2007 through March 2007 for between $280 and $325. Distributors sell the control panels to alarm dealers who directly install them.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Honeywell International is contacting customers directly and is providing a replacement control panel.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honeywell International at (800) 573-0154 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm’s Web site at www.security.honeywell.com

Fisher-Price Recalls Bongo Band Toys

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys

Units: About 8,900

Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal law prohibiting lead paint on children's toys.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled toys have two bongos, including one with a yellow and green plastic drum base with a blue drum surface. The other bongo is yellow and green plastic drum base with an orange drum surface with “It’s a Big, Big World” printed on it. The toys were sold with animal shaped accessories including a monkey, bird, tambourine and drum stick. The toys have product number K9343 inside the orange drum. A date code between 139-7SH and 232-7SH is printed on the drum’s orange ring surface. Bongo Band toys included in this recall must have both the product number and date code.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide from July 2007 through August 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Fisher-Price for instructions on returning the product in order to receive a free replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at (888) 496-8330 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mattel.com/safety