Product Recall: Trek Bicycles

This week, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada issued a voluntary recall notice in cooperation with Trek Bicycle Corporation of Wisconsin. The recall is due to a problem with specific models of Trek bicycles sold over the spring and summer season. These Trek bicycles have a faulty bolt between the seat and the post. This means that the seat can fall, leading to injuries. Four injuries have been reported so far. 27,000 of these bicycles were sold at specialty bike shops between May and September 2011. They sold for $550 to $1100. To determine whether you have … Continue reading →

Product Recall: Frog Masks from Target

If you have a frog mask that you purchased in late summer or early fall for your child’s dress up bin or for a Halloween costume, look at the tag. Yesterday the US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall for frog masks from Target. These masks were sold in August and September of 2011 and were made in China. The frog masks are plush and are a danger to small children because the nose area of the frog does not have any breathing holes. The mask poses a suffocation danger to children. The top of the mask around the … Continue reading →

Home Product Recall: July 17, 2008

We all know about the massive toy recalls that have been in the news, of course. But there are many other recalls out there, including in home products. You might have a product that is deemed dangerous. Here are the current recalls involving home products, including furniture, outdoor items, health items and more. Outdoor Canopies Wanda Technology is recalling outdoor canopies that were sold exclusively at BJ’s wholesale club because they could pose a fire hazard to consumers. The 10 foot by 20 foot canopies were sold from January 2008 until about May 2008 for around $200. They are white … Continue reading →

Where did all the Recalls go?

Is it just me? After constant reports of recalls on everything from ground beef and toys to pet food, it suddenly seems rather quiet. There are still recalls and tainted or otherwise dangerous products, but it seems like there should be some follow up to the issues that created such a stir. Concerning the ground beef, at least one company went out of business. Still, there are many others out there that produce and sell this food, and the question is what has been done to prevent future problems? Is the lead paint scare over? What kind of dog food … Continue reading →

Christmas Shopping: Recalls and finding Safe Toys

Lead paint, chemicals that mimic the date rape drug, swallowed magnets, laceration hazards, and more have led to numerous toy recalls. With Christmas just around the corner, many parents are nervous about buying toys. While 80% of toys sold in the US today come from China, and some have decided not to buy toys with the “made in China” label, that’s not the only issue. Even if dangerous toys were limited to that part of the world, avoiding them wouldn’t be enough since many toy companies construct toys using at least some parts that come from China. Manufacturers from other … Continue reading →

Worried about Buying Toys for Christmas?

I don’t want people to panic and I’m not trying to convince people to refuse to go Christmas shopping or anything like that, but I’m still uneasy about buying toys for the kids in my life with all the toy recalls lately. Are you? It’s not like this has only been an issue with one or two toys, some kind of fluke, there have been massive recalls and some of them quite serious. The AquaDots recall was quite unsettling but I’m not over all the lead paint just yet either. It seems to be used in many items, things I’d … Continue reading →

Product Recalls: Toy Safety Information

With all the lead paint concerns and other recall issues on toys and other products, it’s become a bit daunting to shop for Christmas gifts for little ones. With the Christmas shopping season in full swing, it pays to have as much information as possible before purchasing toys for children on our lists. While some stores have recall notices right in the toy aisle (and often aisle after aisle of such notices) notes taped to shelves aren’t too reassuring. Here are some other sources of toy safety information that will hopefully help us make safer choices: CPSC Toy Hazard Recalls … Continue reading →

Toy Recalled for Mimicking Date Rape Drug if Ingested

UPDATE: The AquaDots version of this product has now been recalled in U.S. as well. See notice at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Parents, please be aware that a toy known as Bindeez Beads from Australia has been recalled due to toxicity. Similar products are sold as “Aquadots,” which are sold in both Wal-Mart and Target stores and other as well as via the Internet. Apparently, in the U.S. it has not yet established if the AquaDots versions are as dangerous. According to the Wall Street Journal, “… Moose Enterprises declined to comment on whether reports of health problems linked … Continue reading →

Product Recalls: Even Decorative Pieces can become Hazards

We don’t tend to think of decorative pieces as dangerous but Home Decorators Collection has decided to recall over 500 pieces just to make sure they don’t pose a danger to anyone. There have not been any reports of injuries thus far, but the company is issuing a recall in order to help keep it that way. It seems that some manufacturers ignore such warning signs, so I say good for this company for doing something now to try to prevent injury –or tragedy- from occurring. The leather suitcase storage trunks in question may be burgundy or brown and they … Continue reading →

Household Product Recalls: IKEA and Maytag

The number of recalls on household products might surprise you and you might be rather shocked to learn the seriousness of some of them. Fortunately, many companies are diligent in announcing recalls and making fixes, replacements, or refunds available. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is also on the alert for dangers to consumers and offers an extensive list of recalls as well as information regarding how you can expect the situation to be remedied if you buy a faulty product, or how you can report a concern. IKEA Furniture While there has only been one reported injury, at least at … Continue reading →