October, 1980

Dolls or Plush Toys or And Action Figures, Toys

Pot Belly Toy Animals Recalled by Daekor NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 1980 Release # 80-039 Millions Of "Pot Belly" Toy Animals Being Recalled To Eliminate Safety Hazards WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 31) -- The highly popular "Pot Belly" line of children's stuffed animals is being recalled by the importer in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission because the toys may present hazards which could injure young children. More than five million of the five different types of "Pot Bellies" have been sold nationwide in a variety of sizes since late in 1978. Pot Bellies are distributed to more than 2,800 toy stores, department stores and other retailers by the Daekor division of Hudson Brands, Ltd., of New York City. CPSC has received a number of consumer complaints of small wires protruding from the toy animals; however, there have been no reports of serious injuries to date. Testing by CPSC revealed that a substantial percentage of the toys tested contained sharp wires in the stuffing. When tested under the terms of a CPSC regulation designed to prevent children under the age of three years from swallowing and choking on small parts of toys, some of the Pot Bellies failed the test. Accordingly, these stuffed toys -- until inspected by the importer to ensure their safety -- have been determined to be "banned hazardous substances" under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Once inspected and found free of wires, the toys may be distributed. CPSC also discovered through testing that the "bean bag" variety of smaller Pot Bellies presents another hazard in addition to the potential presence of small wires. The bottoms of bean bag Pot Bellies are stuffed with crushed walnut shells which could be swallowed by children if the toy animals come apart at the seams (as some did during the CPSC testing). Consumers are being urged to return their Pot Belly stuffed animals to the retailer where the toy was purchased for a full refund or replacement. Pot Bellies have been sold at retail prices ranging from $8 to $30, depending on their size. Refunds only are being offered to consumers who return bean bag Pot Bellies to the retailer. (The importer also has distributed about 5,000 large Pot Belly koala bears and brown bears which are not being subjected to the ban or the recall. These 40-inch-long bears were manufactured by a Brooklyn, N.Y., company which used a different stuffing material.) Hudson Brands will alert each retailer to the hazards and the procedures to be followed in carrying out the recall and inspection program, and also will inspect all further shipments of these toy animals to ensure that there are no wires in the stuffing. Read more.

Toy Blocks/Sorting, Blocks or Stacking Toys or Pull Toys, Toys

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Appliances, Coffee Makers or Teapots, Kitchen

Coffee Makers Recalled by Regal Ware NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 1980 Release # 80-036 Regal Coffee Makers Recalled Due To Shock Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 2, 19801 -- Approximately 6,800 electric coffee makers manufactured by Regal Ware, Inc., of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, are being recalled because they may pose a shock hazard to users. The recall is being conducted voluntarily in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The 10-cup, stainless-steel percolators were insulated with a thermoplastic material around electrical wiring to the signal light. The insulation may deteriorate and might permit bare wiring to conduct electrical current through the metal parts of the coffee pot. No reports of shock have been received by the company or CPSC. The Regal coffee makers were manufactured from August, 1979, through April, 1980, and were sold nationwide for approximately $35 to $45 by Montgomery Wards, Sears Roebuck and Co., and other retail stores under the model number of K7591. The model number is embossed on the bottom of the pot's black plastic base. JCPenney retail outlets have sold the pots under the "JCPenney" label. These units can be identified by the model number 784-3071 on the bottom of the plastic base. In addition to the model numbers, all units under recall display on the bottom of the base an eight-digit date code within the range 08017911 through 04308011. Those units in the distribution chain which have been repaired carry a date code which is underlined and displayed at the bottom of the plastic base. In addition, repaired units have the letter "R" stamped on the flap of the package. Consumers may have their pots repaired free-of-charge by mailing them to the nearest Regal Service Center. Postage costs will be reimbursed. To determine the location of the nearest Regal Service Center, consumers should write to Regal Ware, Inc., c/o Customer Service Department, 1675 Riegle Drive, Kewaskum, Wisconsin, 53040, or consult the list enclosed with each new coffee maker. Consumers also may contact the store from which the coffee pot was purchased to be advised of the store's individual recall program. Anyone wishing to verify model numbers and date codes should contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772. Read more.

Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers and Leaf Blowers and Lawn Vacuums, Yard and Garden

Storage Of Black & Decker Lawn Mowers Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 1980 Release # 80-037 Consumers Warned To Take Safety Steps In Storage Of Black & Decker Lawn Mowers WASHINGTON, D.C. ( October 2, 1980 ) -- Owners of more than 18,000 cordless battery-powered lawn mowers are being warned that a possible defect in the mower's battery may pose a fire hazard while the mower sits unused in a garage or storage area. The warning is being issued jointly by the manufacturer, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. of Towson, Maryland, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The company has received eight separate complaints from consumers reporting that the battery on their lawn mower caught on fire while in storage. Black & Decker currently is conducting tests on their model 8055 cordless battery-powered mowers to determine the exact cause of the fires. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the fires. In addition, neither CPSC nor the company has received reports of battery fires occurring while the lawn mowers were being used by consumers. The Black & Decker lawn mowers are orange and white in color and have two blades which produce a 19-inch cut. They were manufactured in 1976 and sold nationwide in hardware stores and other retail outlets between January, 1976 and August, 1980. The model number 8055 is embossed with the words "19-inch Cordless Twin Motor" on the top of the plastic housing next to the battery. While the company is conducting tests and developing a program to repair the lawn mowers, consumers are being urged to remove the fuses from the battery before placing the mower in storage. Consumers also are being advised to store the mower at a safe distance from flammable materials. To obtain instructions on how to remove the battery fuses, other safety precautions, and to arrange for future corrections by Black & Decker Service Centers, consumers should call Black & Decker's toll-free number at 800-638-3830. Maryland residents should Call Black & Decker collect at 301-820-2406. Read more.