November, 1988

Toy Vehicles (Not Riding Toys), Toys

November 30, 1988 Release # 88-107 "Silver Rail Express" Toy Train Recalled Because Of Potential Fire Hazard WASHINGTON, D. C - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), New Bright Industries of Canton, Michigan is voluntarily recalling some 38,000 battery-powered toy train sets because of a potential fire hazard. The train sets, identified as Model 41170, "Talking Silver Rail Express," were manufactured in Hong Kong and shipped to the U.S. between August 28, 1986 and November 5, 1986. New Bright Industries has received 16 complaints of toy train sets short-circuiting, causing the coal tender car to overheat. No injuries have been reported; however, consumers have reported nine incidents of the train catching fire. The train sets involved were manufactured with two different types of wire plug connectors between the coal tender car and the locomotive which transmit power current from the battery compartment in the coal tender car to the DC motor in the locomotive. One of these plug connectors is made of black plastic with a metal prong protruding straight forward. The other plug has a metal prong protruding at a 90-degree angle. All New Bright Model 1170 Silver Rail Express train sets manufactured and shipped in 1987 and 1988 have a plastic connector plug with no metal prong, and are not affected by the recall. New Bright Industries is offering a free replacement train set to owners of 1986 train sets. For information about obtaining a free replacement as well as assistance in identifying models affected by this recall announcement, consumers should call New Bright Industries toll-free number at 1-800-325-5630; in Michigan, call collect at 1-313-981-0020. Consumers may also write to New Bright Industries, 41911 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187 Read more.

Exercise Equipment, Sports and Recreation, Track and Field and Exercise

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Irons (Clothing), Home Appliances, Maintenance and Structures, Ironing Boards or Covers, Laundry and Fabric Care and Sewing

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Toys, Water Toys

November 21, 1988 Release # 88-097 Toy Motorboat Recalled; Seized During CPSC/U.S. Customs Operation WASHINGTON -- "Cap'n Mickey's Motorboat," an Illco pre-school toy imported from China, is being recalled by Child World Inc., of Avon, Massachusetts, because the propeller of the wind-up boat can come off and may cause choking in young children.The recalled toy, model #8230, is a six-inch long red white and blue plastic motorboat with seated figures of Goofy, Donald Duck, and Cap'n Mickey Mouse that "jiggle" when the boat is moved. A wind-up key activates a propeller to move the boat in water; wheels allow the boat to be pushed on the floor. Approximately 10,000 were sold nationally for about $5. Consumers should take the toy away from young children immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price or exchange it for a toy of similar value. Neither the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) nor Child World Inc. is aware of injuries associated with this toy.U.S. Customs Service identified the potentially hazardous toy at the port of Newark, New Jersey during "Operation Toyland," a joint import surveillance program with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Read more.

Toy Boats

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Babies and Kids, Doll Houses And Other Play Scenes, Infant and Toddler Play Centers, Nursery Equipment and Supplies, Play Yards, Toys

November 17, 1988 Release # 88-098 Toy Firm Recalls Disney Baby Play Gyms WASHINGTON - Illco Toy Company, USA, Inc., of New York is voluntarily recalling some of its "Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Baby Play Gyms" because buckles and loops may dislodge from the straps and, along with an attached rattle, may present a choking hazard to young children. This recall applies only to gyms with plastic or unstitched fabric straps. Gyms having fabric straps that are stitched in two locations are not being recalled. The freestanding activity center for infants, gym no. 8722, has four tubular-shaped supports and a crossbar with three fabric or plastic straps suspended from the crossbar. Each strap holds a toy, namely Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and a disc-shaped baby rattle with a mirror on one side. The baby gym sold nationally for about $17.00 in 1987. Illco and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said some parents have complained about buckles coming off unstitched fabric straps on gym sets. CPSC tests have shown that buckles may also come loose from plastic straps. The buckles and loops of the gym are small enough to be ingested by an infant. In addition, the mirrored rattle may break into small parts and may present a potential choking hazard if it comes off the strap. Consumers having a gym set with plastic or unstitched fabric straps holding the figures and rattle to the crossbar should immediately take the toys away from infants and toddlers and request replacement straps, buckles, and rattles by writing to the Consumer Service Department, Illco Toy Company, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010 Read more.

Hot Tubs/Spas, Electric Outlets or Receptacles, Electrical Systems, Home Appliances, Maintenance and Structures, Hot Tubs or Home Spas, Plumbing and Bath

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Pretend Electronics or Tools or Housewares and Appliances, Toys

November 17, 1988 Release # 88-099 Pop Up Phone Recalled; Antenna Is Choking Hazard WASHINGTON, DC - "Pop Up Answer Phone" model #1808-0, a Larami pre-school toy, is being recalled by the manufacturer because an antenna piece may separate from the toy telephone receiver and cause a potential choking hazard for young children. Larami Corporation, of Philadelphia, PA is recalling 20,000 of the toy telephones sold nationwide in 1987 for about $10. The plastic "Pop Up Answer Phone" consists of a six-by-eight-inch red and white base and a blue receiver. Adhesive labels on both the base and receiver identify the toy as "Pop Up Answer Phone." The model number 1808-0 appears on the package but not on the toy itself.An inch-and-a-half long plastic antenna projects from the top of the telephone receivers. Twelve red push buttons are located on the base of the toy; when the buttons are pushed, small cards pop up through slots on the base. A roller directory is found at the top of the base. The same toy phone manufactured by Larami but identified with an adhesive red dot on the telephone receiver and on the front of the package is not affected by this recall.Parents having model #1808-0 "Pop Up Answer Phone" not marked with a red dot should immediately take the toy away from young children and return it to the store where purchased for a refund of the full purchase price, or mail the toy to Larami Corporation, 340 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107. OSPIRG, the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group brought this toy to the attention of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Read more.

Rattles, Babies and Kids, Baby Rattles, Toys

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Swing Sets, Playground Equipment, Sports and Recreation

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Toy Miscellaneous

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Toy Telephones

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Home Appliances, Maintenance and Structures, Paintbrushes or Rollers, Tools and Hardware

November 16, 1988 Release # 88-096 Wagner To Replace Seals On Power Paint Rollers WASHINGTON, DC - Wagner Spray Tech Corporation of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily offering free replacement seals, labeling and instructions on certain power paint rollers to correct a potential lid ejection problem on units manufactured between May and November, 1984.Used by do-it-yourself homeowners, the power paint roller consists of a pressure canister connected by hose to paint roller. The can of paint is placed inside the canister, the lid attached, and the paint is driven to the roller under pressure exerted by an electric powered compressor. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), the lid may be ejected from the canister with enough force to cause injury. There have been 41 reported incidents of the ejected lids causing facial and eye injuries. Paint rollers involved in the repair program are dates coded E84 through L84 on the bottom of the unit, and were identified as model no. 0155001 on the packaging. Consumers should stop using power paint rollers within the above date codes, and call Wagner toll-free, 1-800-365-7650, or write Wagner Spray Tech Corporation, 1770 Fernbrook Lane Minneapolis, MN. 55447 for a free repair kit. The company will provide two replacement seal rings for the pressure canister, a warning label to be affixed to the lid, and new operating instructions. The Wagner power paint rollers in question were sold nationwide by a variety or retailers, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. under the Craftsman power roller label within the same date codes Read more.

Paint & Coating Items

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Cables and Surge and Power Protection, Electronics, Surge Suppressors or Power Strips

Release # 88-095 WASHINGTON, DC- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Challenger Electrical Equipment Corp. of Malvern, Pennsylvania, voluntarily offered free replacement of its 15 and 20 ampere type HAGF single pole ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers.These type HAGF-15 and type HAGF-20 circuit breakers were manufactured between February 22, 1988 and April 29, 1988, and most were sold nationwide to electrical product distributors during this period. Some may have been sold to consumers by retail hardware or lumber outlets. Approximately 9000 of these devices have not been located, some of which are believed to have been installed in residences. Type HAGF ground fault circuit breakers are devices, which provide protection to consumers against severe electric shock and electrocution as well as providing the normal circuit breaker functions of interrupting short circuits and electrical overloads.Although no electric shock incidents have been reported by Challenger, the firm recalled this product because is has determined, by quality control testing, that a mechanical part may become detached and prevent the ground fault feature of the circuit breaker from functioning. (The normal circuit breaker functions are not affected by this problem.)They protect residential 15 ampere and 20 ampere circuits including receptacle outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages and outdoors as required by the National Electrical Code. The code also requires GFCI protection for receptacles in hotel and motel bathrooms. The HAGF circuit breakers, which may require replacement, are located in the electrical service panel. If the name "Challenger" is embossed on the front of the panel (on the door handle) and/or on the label on the back of the panel/door, that panel may contain circuit breakers requiring replacement. Affected circuit breakers have a yellow button and the word "test" in raised letters on one side; on the other side, the number 15 or 20 is printed on the handle in white letters between the raised words "ON" and "OFF." If the number on the handle is black or if there is a label it with white lettering next to the word "test , then the HAGF circuit breaker will not need to be replaced. Consumers should note that the HAGF circuit breakers which require replacement will only be found in dwellings which have been constructed since February 1988 or in which electrical work has been done since February 1988. Consumers who believe that they have installed HAGF circuit breakers requiring replacement should contact a licensed electrician to perform this work. Power to the panel should be shut off before inspecting and removing breakers.) The company is no longer able to be contacted at the phone numbers provided in the original press release.The Consumer Product Safety Commission believes that GFCI's provide a significant level of electrical safety. The Commission recommends that all GFCI's (whether circuit breaker or receptacle type) be tested frequently, at least monthly, using the test button on each unit Read more.

Circuit Breakers, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

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Lighters

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Cigarette or Pipe Lighters, Fuel and Lighters and Fireworks, Lighters and Matches

Bultina Disposable Lighters Recalled By Paulshin International NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 1988 Release # 88-94 Bultina Disposable Lighters Recalled By Paulshin International WASHINGTON - Paulshin International, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois is voluntarily recalling approximately 400,000 disposable lighters in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The lighter may flare-up unexpectedly or may fail to extinguish when the control level is released. The models involved are 700LT and 701LT and were imported since 1987. Laboratory testing found that some of the lighters may have been mis-assembled during manufacturing. There has been one reported serious burn injury associated with this product. These disposable 3-1/2 inches in length with transparent plastic bodies which are either red, green, clear, or yellow/orange in color. The silver colored metal windguards are labeled "Bultina" and Korea". The lighters were sold either loose or blister packed under the name Red-Match. Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the lighters and return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers may call Paulshin at 312-262-6300 for additional information about the recall. Read more.

Toy Dolls & Accessories

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Washing Machines

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Circuit Breakers

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