Dangerous Products
Toyo Recalls Tires for Defects
California-based Toyo Tires is recalling 66,000 tires that may have been made with a kink in the bead, which could lead to tire failure. According to a news report in Auto Week, the company will recall the P225/60R-16 Extensa A/S tires that were distributed in the United States from Sept. 20, 2009, to Nov. 6, 2010. Company officials say some of these tires have a manufacturing defect where they were made with a kink in the bead. This kink could lead to a crack near the bead, especially when the tire is underinflated. When left unattended, the crack could lead to sudden tire failure. The defective tires involved in this recall were manufactured in a Georgia plant and bear the “Made in the USA” label. Those who own these tires will be notified and will receive free replacement tires.
The statement that your life rides on your tires every time you get on the road is not an exaggeration. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure. Underinflation can also affect vehicle handling and fuel consumption, but most importantly, it has a significant effect on overall safety. Underinflation can also lead to structural failures, such as tire tread separation. That is why it is critical to check and adjust tire pressure at least once a month and before every long trip. You can find your vehicle’s recommended pressures on a label located on the driver’s doorframe or in the glove box.
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Britax Child Restraints Recalled for Harness Defects
Britax Child Safety has issued a product defect recall for 14,220 child safety seats because of defective shoulder harnesses that may not hold the child in place in the event of a crash. According to a news report in The New York Times, the recall comes nine months after the company made a change in its manufacturing process to correct the defect. Product manufacturers are required under the law to notify federal safety authorities within five business days of its plan for a recall. Failing to do so can result in civil penalties. Britax sent the letter to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only on January 26, 2012. Company officials tell the Times that they did not delay notifying the agency.
Britax started to receive complaints about the restraint failure on the Chaperone infant car seats since March. These defective seats were made between September 2010 and May 2011. The model numbers of the affected seats are E9L692J, E9L692K, E9L692L, and E9L692M. Britax traced the problem to a faulty aluminum rivet that is supposed to secure the harness strap adjuster to the seat. If the rivet breaks, the harness adjuster can detach, leaving the child unprotected in the event of a crash. Britax received 57 complaints related to the defect, but has no record of injuries or fatalities.
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Fasten Furniture to Protect Children from Tip-Over Accidents
Every two weeks a child dies due to a falling piece of furniture or an appliance, according to a recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). However, the agency urged that these deaths can be prevented with education and awareness, specifically calling parents and guardians to carefully examine these kinds of items and either fasten or anchor pieces that have any chance of falling.
From 2000 to 2010, the CPSC received accounts of 245 tip-over accidents that resulted in fatalities of children 8-years-old and younger. Over 90 percent of those accidents included kids 5-years-old and younger. Approximately 67 percent of these cases involved fatal trauma to the head. Additionally, from 2008 to 2010, over 22,000 kids 8 years of age or under are given medical care in hospital emergency rooms each year for these types of injuries. Similar to the fatalities, most of the injuries (56 percent) are trauma to the head. And 70 percent of these incidents involved televisions, while only 27 percent included furniture alone.
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John Deere Recalls More Than 20,000 Tractors
Due to manufacturing faults, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that farm tractor giant John Deere will recall more than 20,000 units of two of their tractor models as a result of safety problems.
The first recall is for approximately 15,500 Lawn Tractors. In this instance, the apparatus that secures the blade to the deck of the tractor can bust. This can allow the tractor’s mower blades to rotate for longer than they are supposed to after the power has been turned off and can pose a danger for laceration. The model was sold by Home Depot, Lowes, and John Deere dealers for between $1500 and $2000 between December 2010-September 2011.
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Gel Fuel Recalled By Nine Manufacturers & Distributors Due To Fire Hazard
Due to severe risks of flash fires and burns, nine U.S. manufacturers and distributors recalled pourable gel fuels in their product lines. Gel fuel products are used as an alternative to fire wood. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a release in June of this year notifying consumers of the dangers associated with using fuel gels.
The recent recall includes approximately 2 million product units of different pourable gel fuels encased in one-quart plastic bottles and one-gallon plastic jugs. The products were sold in non-scented and scented formulas for between $5 and $20 since 2008. They have proven to ignite without warning and spray onto people and items nearby when poured into a fire that is still burning.
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Air Pistols Recalled Due To Faulty Safety Locks
Umarex USA recently issued a voluntary recall for approximately 9,500 of their Browning 800 Mag Air Pistols due to a faulty safety lock mechanism that may cause the rifles to fire unexpectedly.
In an August 16 release, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that “under a variety of circumstances, the safety will not prevent the gun from firing,” which threatens serious injury to the user or bystanders. CPSC also reported that Fort Smith, AR, company has received one account of a pistol malfunction in which it discharged while the safety lock was engaged. At the time of the release, no injuries had been reported.
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Oklahoma Girl Sickened from Nationwide Ground Turkey Salmonella Outbreak
Along with seventy-six other people in 26 states across the nation, including one death in Northern California, a young Oklahoma County girl under the age of five is among those affected by a salmonella outbreak caused by tainted ground turkey.
The state’s Communicable Disease division Director Laurence Burnsed said the child (whose case was reported by her physician) suffered cramping and diarrhea for approximately two weeks, did not need hospitalization, and has now fully recovered. According to current data, this is the only reported Oklahoma case associated with the outbreak but the situation is being monitored.
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Medical Supply Manufacturer Closes Due to Tainted Wipes
The Triad Group of Hartland, Wisconsin, a subsidiary of H&P Industries, Inc., has shut down among accusations of providing tainted medical products. Earlier in the year, the Triad Group recalled millions of alcohol prep pads because they may have been contaminated by Bacillus cereus, a harmful bacterium that can lead to a potentially deadly infection. The company has been faced with many challenges lately. In addition to the recall, they are facing at least two lawsuits, an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as ongoing investigative reports by MSNBC.
The company says it is planning to “move away” from its healthcare division. The chief operating officer of Triad, Eric Haertle, has not admitted any wrongdoing and says that the company will eventually be “cleared of all charges.” He also said that Triad “intend[s] to fight any and all accusations” and that many of the violations identified by FDA investigations have already been remedied. While the FDA has been aware of problems in many of the products made by Triad for years, they did not previously bring any formal sanctions against the company. Many people who were adversely affected by the Triad products feel that the FDA should have done more to protect the public from potentially dangerous products.
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Big Lots Metal Futon Bunk Beds Recalled after Asphyxiation Death
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall this week after the tragic death of a three year old from Iowa. The tragedy was caused by a metal futon bunk bed sold by Big Lots. The design of the bunk bed allows children who are in the ladder area or behind the futon to become trapped when the futon is lowered to the flat position. In the case of the Iowa boy, his head and neck became trapped and he was unable to breathe or free himself. Although he was given CPR, the boy died at the hospital from compression asphyxiation. In addition to the hazard that lead to the boy’s death, it has been found that the space between the futon mattress and the last rung on the ladder is too small and children may become trapped there as well.
The recall includes metal futon beds with the model number BFB1008. The model number can be found on a label on the upper bunk support rail. The beds were sold all over the U.S. at Big Lots stores between January 2009 and April 2010. Consumers who have purchased the bed should contact Big Lots immediately for a repair kit that can be installed at home. Consumers can contact Big Lots by phone at (866) 244-5687 or by email at talk2us@biglots.com.
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CPSC Recalls 1 Million Pool and Spa Drain Covers on Same Day as CPSC Press Event
Summer and swimming season have arrived and so has the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 2nd annual pool safety campaign “Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives.” It is a national public education campaign that aims to decrease incidents of child drownings, entrapments, and nonfatal submersions in both spas and swimming pools. This pool safety campaign kicks off at an opportune time as the CPSC has announced the recall of around one million spa and pool drain covers on the same day.
This recall is the result of incorrectly rating the drain covers for handling the flow of water passing through the cover. This increases the risk of entrapment for anyone who uses the pool or spa, including young children who may fall into the swimming pool or spa.
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