Complaint resolution service publishes case studies, recall information and consumer news.

Heavy darts with projectile tips tossed in the air and burying deep into all but the most hardened dirt or grass were a popular game a generation ago.  They were called lawn darts, and they were fun until as Mom said, someone loses an eye.

That happened far too often, as did other injuries, and lawn darts were banned twenty years ago because they’re essentially little arrows with weighted shafts.

Two companies were apparently selling these as a deluxe family entertainment package for about sixty bucks.  If you bought one, you need to send them back for a refund.   Thanks to the CPSC jumping on this issue fast, refunds should be relatively easy to arrange.   Simply call the distributor toll free at (877) 374-8881 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. MT Monday through Friday.

Many recalls are for a potential hazard.  This one is for a very real hazard.  Unless you’ve got an archery range set up at your home, leave the flying darts alone because these particular beauties have a shaft that is more than one foot long.

Posted under Products, Recalls

Four children have been trapped by a crib sold through Babies “R” Us and its affiliated stores. The cribs, manufactured in China and Vietnam and sold for more than six years, pose a “trapping hazard” according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  More than 320,000 childrens’ cribs are affected, the governmnet agency said.

The cribs in question are multiple models manufactured under the brand name Jardine. The government agency said that it had collected 42 reports of the crib’s slats or spindles breaking, allowing a child to be trapped.

Affected model numbers, which can be found on the inside of the bottom rail, are listed below.

BC-23, BC-36B, BC-36G, BC-36P, BC-007, BC-010, BC-010C, BC-010HP, BC-010W, BC-017, BC-107C, BC-107CR,BC-110C, BC-110HP, BC-110W, DA617BC, DA620BC, DA770BC, DV730N, DV730W, DV830-N, DV830-W, 0113B00, 0113K00, 0303B00, 0303C00, 0303G00, 0309K00.

Consumers have been instructed to stop using the cribs and contact Jardine for a full credit. The company can be reached by phone at (800) 646-4106 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. Jardine has also created a website to help handle recalled crib claims.

Posted under Recalls

A Chinese manufactured baby bottle and food warmer appliance marketed under the name Munchkin has been recalled because it may overheat and cause a fire.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission said that that the units could overheat and potentially posed a fire hazard.  The agency reported receiving word of nine such incidents without injury or substantial damage.

The warmers (sample pictured right) were sold from last summer through April 2008 for approximately $20.  Consumers who purchased one of the 5,000 units involved in the recall should immediately stop using the unit and contact the company for a replacement.

How To Tell If Your Baby Bottle Warmer Was Recalled

Take a look at your unit.  If the word “Munchkin” appears with the lot number “TP-1487 on the bottom, you have a recalled unit.

Consumers who have a recalled unit can call Munchkin customer service toll-free at (866) 619-8673 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.  If you prefer to handle the matter online, visit Munchkin’s site for more information on the recall.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Graco® Contempo™ Highchairs and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a recall for 100,000 highchairs because of a potential collapsing hazard. According to the company and the government agency, there have been 18 reports to date of the chairs collapsing with a child in them. Several resulted in minor injuries and seem to occur if the chair is not fully opened and locked into place.

The Contempo™ highchairs have an “A” frame design. The highchairs feature six height adjustment positions and three recline positions. The recalled highchairs have model numbers that begin with 3800, 3803, 3804, 3805, 3810 and 3811 followed by a three letter fashion code. Model numbers included in the recall include: 3800COU, 3800DRB, 3800FMT, 3800GGG, 3800GRM, 3800HEM, 3800JEN, 3800LEG, 3800MNS, 3800OWD, 3800SND, 3800TFE, 3800RIT, 3803HRL, 3804CNR, 3805BDA, 3810PEW, 3810PST and 3811PST. The highchairs were manufactured from October 27, 2005 through November 22, 2006. The model number and manufacturing date are printed underneath the snack tray of these highchairs.

The company is offering consumers a free repair kit. The company also advises consumers that they can continue using the chair but not to place a child in the chair until the chair is fully opened and a clicking sound is heard.

To talk with a Graco representative about this recall, call toll-free at (877) 445-1312 anytime.

Posted under Recalls

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Pentair has announced a voluntary recall of the SunSans-Regular MiniMax® NT STD Gas Pool Heater. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

According to the government, the pool heaters can emit excessive carbon monoxide (CO), posing a risk of CO poisoning in the event of a vent leak in an indoor installation.

The recall involves Pentair MiniMax® NT STD Gas Pool Heaters installed indoors. They have BTU ratings between 200,000 and 400,000, and use either natural gas or propane. The model number is located on the rating plate on the inner front panel of the heater. The following model numbers are included:

460427 through 460430
460439 through 460450
460531 through 460538
460543 through 460566

The heater identification number is located on the rating plate on the inner panel of the heater, which will show “NT” and “STD” in the third and fourth blocks of the number. The recall includes units with serial numbers 0606002 and lower. The recall also includes units without serial numbers. If the unit has a serial number, it is written on the data plate on the heater, which is located on the inner front door of the heater. Units with serial number 0606003 and higher are not included in this recall. MiniMax® NT Low NOx and MiniMax® NT TSI model pool heaters are not included in this recall.

Consumers should stop using these gas pool heaters installed indoors immediately, and contact the firm to determine if their heater is included in the recall. If it is, Pentair will provide a free inspection, and repair of the heater if necessary. For more information, contact Pentair toll-free at (866)-761-5272 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Posted under Recalls

Notebook computers are now a part of modern life. They can be found in offices, schools and homes across the country. There are tens of millions of portable computers in use. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of at least 47 incidents involving smoke or fire associated with notebook computers, from January 2001 through August 2006. To promote safe use of notebook computers, batteries and chargers, CPSC offers the following tips:

* Do not use incompatible computer batteries and chargers. If unsure about whether a replacement battery or charger is compatible, contact the product manufacturer.

* Computer batteries can get hot during normal use. Do not use your computer on your lap.

* Do not use your computer on soft surfaces, such as a sofa, bed or carpet, because it can restrict airflow and cause overheating.

* Do not permit a loose battery to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys or jewelry.

* Do not crush, puncture or put a high degree of pressure on the battery as this can cause an internal short-circuit, resulting in overheating.

* Avoid dropping or bumping the computer. Dropping it, especially on a hard surface, can potentially cause damage to the computer and battery. If you suspect damage contact the manufacturer.

* Do not place the computer in areas that may get very hot.

* Do not get your computer or battery wet. Even though they will dry and appear to operate normally, the circuitry could slowly corrode and pose a safety hazard.

* Follow battery usage, storage and charging guidelines found in the user’s guide.

Posted under Products, Safety

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 800,000 Canon desktop copiers because the government agency says that they pose a fire hazard. The agency and Canon, who is voluntarily cooperating with the recall, said that an improperly fitting electrical connection inside the copier can overheat and catch fire. Canon has reported six such cases with no injuries.

Subject to the recall are 800,000 units of Canon copiers. The repair recall includes the following models: PC6, PC6RE, PC65, PC7, PC7RE, PC8, PC11, PC11RE, PC12, NP1010 and NP1020.

Consumers can find the model number on the front panel of the unit. The recalled copiers were manufactured between 1987 and 1998.

The CPSC advised consumers to stop using the copiers immediately and contact the company for a repair. Canon’s phone number is (800) 828-4040.

Posted under Recalls

Following yesterday’s announcement from the EPA that millions of cans of confetti string were being destroyed as an environment hazard comes news of another children’s toy recall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and LeapFrog Enterprises have recalled 186,000 units of the “Learn-Around Playground Activity Center”. The agency said a child’s arm could become caught in the center tube. LeapFrog has reported receiving more than 140 reports of that occurring, resulting in minor injuries more than one-third of the time.

The toy is a multi-colored plastic musical activity center for children aged 6-36 months. The affected units have item number 10200 written on the unit below the legend “Made In China”. The agency asked parents and caregivers to take the unit from the child and contact LeapFrog toll-free at (800) 701-5327. The company has extended hours of 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. pst on Monday through Friday and 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The CPSC also announced today the recall of 3,000 Delta Performance Water Heaters because of a potential carbon monoxide leak and 27,000 patio umbrellas sold by Long’s Drug Stores because of excessive lead in the unit.

Posted under Recalls

Olympus Imaging, one of the nation’s top camera manufacturers, expanded its March 2006 recall today. The company has recalled 1.2 million cameras because a defect with the flash circuit in these cameras can cause it to smoke and overheat when the camera is turned on.

The original recall announced March 14, 2006 included the Infinity Twin, AF-1 Twin, Infinity Zoom 200 series, AZ 200 series, and Quantary Infinity Zoom 222 Olympus-brand 35mm film cameras. Olympus has now added the Infinity Zoom 76 and the Promaster Infinity Twin model cameras to the recall. The model name is printed on the face of the camera. These cameras have a built-in flash.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said consumers should stop using the cameras and call Olympus toll-free at (800) 480-1247 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Posted under Recalls

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that Lowe’s is volunatrily recalling more than 30,000 of its “Garden Treasures” Steel Dome Fireplaces because the unit could be a fire hazard. No injuries or property damage have been reported yet, but the agency says that there have been two cases of paint on the fireplace’s exterior igniting.

The units have been sold at Lowe’s for approximately $100 for the past year. The recalled fireplace consists of a round fire bowl that rests on four legs, with a chimney cap and hood. The fireplace is made of steel and is painted black. They are about 3-feet tall and 2-feet wide. The item number, 91023, is printed on the package materials.

The agency says that consumers should return the unit to any Lowe’s store for a refund.

Posted under Recalls