Recalls: Seasonal Decoration
Gift Ornaments Recalled By Neiman-Marcus NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 1988 Release # 88-86 Neiman-Marcus Recalls Gift Ornaments As Possible Hazards For Children WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two gift wrap ornaments - a fuzzy, squeaking duck which was attached to Neiman-Marcus gift-wrapped boxes between January 1, 1988 and April 30, 1988, and a wooden Hansel and Gretel decoration which was attached to Neiman-Marcus gift-wrapped boxes between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1987 are being recalled as potential hazards for young children. Susan Crane, Inc., of Dallas, Texas and Neiman-Marcus, which purchased the ornaments from Susan Crane, are voluntarily recalling the ornaments. The fuzzy yellow duck contains a possible aspiration or choking hazard to young children because its one quarter-inch black plastic eyes can be pulled off. The duck is about four inches tall with orange felt feet and beak and squeaks when squeezed. About 6,000 ducks were affixed to gift-wrapped boxes by Neiman-Marcus stores. The painted, wooden Hansel and Gretel decoration may present a potential lead poisoning hazard because paint on the decoration contains lead in excess of the 0.06% limit (in the dry paint film) allowed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. About 11,000 of the five-inch tall Hansel and Gretel decorations were affixed to gift-wrapped boxes by Neiman-Marcus stores. Consumers who received the ducks or the Hansel and Gretel decorations as a part of Neiman-Marcus Gift-wrapped Boxes should return then to a Neiman-Marcus store for a refund of the gift-wrap price. Neiman-Marcus stores are located in: Beverly Hills, CA; Newport Beach, CA; Palo Alto, CA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Bal Harbour, FL; Ft. Lauderdale, Fl; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Northbrook, IL; Oakbrook, IL; Boston, MA; St. Louis, MO; Las Vegas, NY; White Plains, NY; Dallas, TX; Ft. Worth, TX; and Houston, TX. Read more.
Lite Tree Top Ornament Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 21, 1983 Release # 83-065 Lite Tree Top Ornament Warning Washington, DC.-- The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns consumers that approximately 200,000 "Lite Tree Top" ornaments imported from Taiwan could overheat and melt when set for non-flashing or non-twinkling operation, and may present a potential fire hazard. Atleast 25 models of these Christmas tree ornaments have been imported and marketed by a number of domestic companies. These Lite Tree Top ornaments have nine to twelve lights each and include star, angel, halo, or other shapes. They retail for about two to three dollars. Though no actual fires or injuries have been reported, the Commission is aware of at least six recent consumer complaints where these Lite Tree Top ornaments have overheated, resulting in melting or smoking of the light reflectors. Consumers have been confused by a contradictory instruction and caution statement found on the rear of the ornament box. The instruction states: "Special Feature: To make this set non twinkling, replace the clear flasher lamp with the constant burning lamp provided extra in the set." This is contradicted by a later statement: "Caution: Do not make this set a steady burn as it may cause over- heating and cause the reflector to melt." The Commission advises consumers who have purchased these Lite Tree Top ornaments to check the package box for the contradictory labeling and, if present, should use the ornament only in the flashing or twinkling mode or stop using it. Further information on holiday safety may be obtained by calling the Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054. Read more.
