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Walkie-Talkies sold at Toys R Us recalled for burn hazard

If you started holiday shopping early this year, you may want to check the packaging if you bought a Cobra 2 way radio (what we used to call walkie-talkies) at Toys R Us.

The manufacturer and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are cooperating on a recall of 8,000 units of the cool looking toys (pictured left) because the rechargable batteries can leak and cause a chemical burn.

The great news is that no one has been hurt yet, so cheers to Cobra for moving fast on this recall.

How To Tell If Your Walkie-Talkie Is Recalled

The recall involves two-way radios with the 300 mah “CEL” batteries. The walkie talkie style radios are made of pink plastic and come in purple packaging. Product number PR191-2VP is located on the front of the packaging and on the label inside the battery compartment. The batteries are standard AAA Nickle Metal Hydride battery cells with a black wrapper with the battery name 300 mah (CEL) with the date code (TF or RF) on the battery itself.

Cobra asks that consumers stop using the radios and contact them for a free replacement and a 20% coupon on a new purchase.   Do not touch anything that has leaked from the battery, which is sound advice in almost all cases, come to think of it.

More information is available toll-free at (888) 252-9889 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

A Casper the Friendly Ghost outdoor figurine has been recalled two days before Halloween.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that the 3 inch high figure has unacceptable levels of lead. The figures were priced from $1 to $3 and sold for almost three years in a variety of stores.

The manufacturer, Coyne and Company, has agreed to a full refund or credit for any figures that are returned. You can call the company anytime at (800) 336-8666.

Be safe this Halloween. Don’t forget our post about Safe Trick or Treating Tips if you are taking a little one trick-or-treating on Friday.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Two years after we reported on a Leapfrog recall affecting children 6 months to 36 months of age, word now comes that the company has recalled 35,000 units of a video game system.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission says rechargable batteries and power sources for the company’s game system marketed under the Didj name can overheat.  Twelve reports of overheating have been reported to the company thus far resulting in at least one reported minor burn.

The recharging base and battery, made in China, should no longer be used.  Consumers can call Leapfrog toll-free at (800) 701-5327 for more information.

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

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

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers that tainted baby formula traced to China is likely not being sold in mainstream stores within the U.S.

Baby formula from China reportedly includes a substance called melamine, the same substance found in tained pet food last year. More than 10,000 infants in Asia have become sick from contaminated formula, and officials report at least one case in Hong Kong.

The FDA, meanwhile, is urging U.S. residents who shop in Chinese or Asian markets to not purchase baby formula there.  The governement agency reported that inspections in 1,000 U.S. retail stores failed to detect a single case of tainted baby formula.

Posted under Health, Recalls, Safety

TTI Floorcare and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a recall of 987,000 Dirt Devil accessory tools, as pieces in the tools can break apart and be ejected towards users and bystanders. There have been 140 such incidents reported, with 12 injuries. This is the list of affected models, as provided by the CPSC.

TTI Floorcare says that consumers should contact them for a free repair kit at (800) 245-2296 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m., or at their website at www.dirtdevilturbotool.com

Posted under Recalls

Electra Bicycle Company has recalled 9,500 Amsterdam bicycles, models Classic 3, Original 3, Sport 3, and Royal 8. The bike’s chain guard can derail the bike chain, which can lead to injury. There have been four incidents reported, with one report of a fall. Consumers are urged to stop riding the bicycle and take it to an Electra Bicycle dealer for a free repair. For more information, contact Electra Bicycle at (800) 261-1644 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.electrabike.com.

Electra Amsterdam Bike Recalled

Posted under Recalls

Studio RTA of Pico Rivera, California, has recalled 6,700 “Silhouette” TV stands, models 403650 and 404191. These stands, sold at Boskov and Shopko stores, do not meet standards for preventing the TV tipping over, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). No injuries have been reported.

The CPSS says that consumers should remove the TV from the stand and contact Studio RTA for a free repair kit. They can be reached by phone at (888) 309-0299 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or on the web at www.studiorta.com.

Posted under Recalls

Around 1360 Polaris 550 LX, Trail Touring, and Trail Touring Deluxe snowmobiles have been recalled after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) received ten reports of cracks forming in the starter ring-gear. This can cause it to fracture, and pieces could fly out of the chassis and harm the rider or bystanders. There are also a limited number of replacement and accessory parts that the CPSC says “are suspect”.

While no injuries have been reported, the CPSC says that consumers should stop using these snowmobiles immediately and contact a Polaris Snowmobile Dealer to schedule a free repair. For more information, contact Polaris Industries at (888) 704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. central Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.polarisindustries.com.

Posted under Recalls

Three children’s jewelry products have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) this past week because they might contain high levels of lead, which is dangerous if ingested. No incidents have been reported with any of these products.

The first product is Parragon Book’s “The Magical Ballet Slippers” (or “Ballerina’s Magical Shoes”), which comes with a necklace that may have lead in the solder. Also affected are the  Spanish and French versions of the book. The ISBN are 1405411449,1405448385 and 1405449527; the UPC numbers, respectively, are  9781405411448, 9781405448383 and  9781405449526. For the return and exchange information, contact Parragon at any time toll-free at (888) 480-2854, or visit their website at www.parragonrecall.com.

The next product is Action Product’s “Children’s Charm Craft Kits”. The clasp in the charm kit has high lead content in it. Some 18,500 units are affected, specifically the “Super Dooper Charms” (item #63403) and “Shoelace Charms” (item #67310). Action Products says that consumers should take these products away from children and contact them for a free replacement. Their phone number is (800) 772-2846, and can be reached from :30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Their Website is www.apii.com.

The final product is “Faded Glory” lip gloss, locket and bracelet made by F.A.F. Inc. ans sold at Wal-Mart. The lobster claw clasps on the bracelet contain high levels of lead.  The sets affected, according to the CPSC website, are:

Item             Model Number        UPC
Frog Set         6709-4250    72783357703
Monkey Set    6709-4251    72783357704
Cat Set           6709-4252    72783357705

Consumers should take these sets back to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund. If additional information is needed, F.A.F. Inc. can be contacted at (800) 949-3311 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and on the web at www.faf.com.

Posted under Recalls