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Black Cat Fireworks of Prairie Village, Kansas, recalled 20,000 “Screech and Scream” fountain fireworks on July 3rd, just in time for Independence Day. These fireworks can unexpectedly scatter debris when set off, endangering users and bystanders. While no injuries had been reported as of the third, Black Cat warns consumers to take any unused fireworks back to where they where purchased for a full refund. If that is not possible, contact Black Cat collect at (913) 649-0537 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or at their website at www.blackcatfireworks.com.

Posted under Recalls

Yesterday, RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH) announced the recall of 160,000 13.8 Volt D.C. adapters because they where wired incorrectly. This poses a danger of fire and electricution. They where sold from October 2004 until June 2008.  The models affected are catalog numbers 22-507 and 22-508 with the date codes of 08A04 through 01A08. The catalog number and date code is located on the back of the power supply. So far, no incidents have been reported, but RadioShack says that consumers should stop using the power supplies at once and bring them to their local Radioshack store and have them repaired. For more information, contact Radioshack at (800) 843-7422 at any time of day, or visit their website at www.radioshack.com/recall.

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Real Action Paintball Inc. also known as RAP4, announced the recall of about 2000 remote line adapters used to connect paintball guns to a CO2 tank.

RAP4 cited that there have been two incidents of the lines bursting if the nozzle is overtightened, which cause laceration and impact injury. RAP4 says that owners of this product should stop using it and contact them for a free replacement. They can be reached by phone at (800) 404-9029 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Saturdays, or at www.rap4.com.

Posted under Recalls

Hewlett Packard (HP) announced the recall of the HP 1010 and 1010xi fax machines on Friday. This recall affects 367,000 units in the U.S. and 84,000 units abroad, manufactured from 2002 until 2004. HP has received three reports of the machines overheating and two reports of minor property damage. The overheating is the result of an electrical component failure. HP and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) have told consumers to unplug the machines immediately, and contact HP for a rebate. Their phone number is (888) 654-9296, and they can be contacted on Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. YOu may also contact them at www.hp.com/fax1010recall.

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Coolibar Inc., of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, announced the recall of 3,000 Children’s Sun Block jackets and hoodies. These jackets and hoodies where sold from February till April 2008 via Coolibar’s catalog and their site, Coolibar.com.

While no incidents or injuries have been reported, The Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC) cited that the drawstring around the neck is a strangling hazard to Children. This stems from a set of guidelines that the CPSC introduced in 1996 to prevent children from strangling on clothes. Fortunatly, you can fix the problem by simply removing the drawstring from the jacket or hoodie. You may also get a full refund by contacting Coolibar at recall@coolibar.com or by phone from 7:30 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 am till 5:00 p.m

Posted under Recalls

Westminster Inc. of Atlanta recalled 102,000 “Thunder Wolf Remote Controlled Indoor Helicopters”, model number T0996, today. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) cited that the Chinese-made toy is prone to melting or catching fire, which can lead to injury.

There have been seven reports of overheating and melting, including one that caught fire and two that caused minor property damage. Only the models without “Made In China” stamped on the bottom are subject to the recall. Westminster inc. said that owners of this toy should stop using it immediately and contact them for a refund. Retailers will not accept returns or refunds for this product. To contact Westminster Inc., call (800) 618-0023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET Friday. You may also sent an email to info@thunderwolfhelicopter.com or visit their website at www.thunderwolfhelicopter.com.

Posted under Recalls

Dollar Tree has announced the recall of 470,000 “Crafters Square Hot Melt Glue Guns,” after four incidents involving an electrical problem. This causes the guns to smoke, which can pose a fire hazard. There have been four such incidents reported, with no injuries.

These guns where being sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1, and Deal$ stores nationwide. Dollar Tree says to immediately stop using the guns and return them to the store it was purchased at for a full refund.

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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

Perhaps the most frustrating issue of any food recall is that consumers may not know if the food was used as an ingredient in another type of food.  This happened earlier this year with beef recalls and is a major issue now with a salmonella threat looming over certain tomatoes.

In a signal to food suppliers and buyers, the Food and Drug administration issued multiple statements indicating which tomato crops were deemed safe.    The agency falls woefully short, however, on consumer advice, suggesting that consumers ask restaurant servers or other food personnel about the tomato’s origin.

That is a nice thought, but more than a little naive.  Note to restaurant owners:  you can stop laughing now, but make sure your staff doesn’t give false information.  When they don’t know, the correct answer is “I don’t know” or “I’ll find out”.

Meanwhile, nearly 400 consumers have now been confirmed to have contracted salmonella from tainted tomatoes.  Of that group, more than 10% have required hospitalization.

The fast food chains performed admirably, pulling the fruit-not-a-vegetable from their shelves.  With guidance, the chains have now added the tomato back on their burgers and gone back to spooning up salsa.

Until a better rationale is found, however, I’m all for “hold the tomato” at home and when dining out.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

After the federal government received reports of hundreds of complaints and news of 14 motor vehicle accidents related to braking problems in 2005 and 2006 Ford F-150 and LIncoln Mark LT vehicles, the auto maker has quickly issued a recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defect Investigations ruled that Ford’s actions were sufficient to close the case and will not be taking further action.

The iconic Ford F-150 is one of Ford’s best-sellers and most profitable vehicles.  Ford had surprised Wall Street with unexpectedly higher earnings last quarter, but the fallout over a big recall potentially affecting safety may cut in to the compamy’s third quarter profits.

To correct the problem, dealers will replace a hose inside the braking assembly. Ford announced that the program would start right after the July 4 holiday and said concerned owners could call the company toll-free at (800) 392-3673.

Posted under Recalls