Posts Tagged With ‘ Safety ’

It’s important to keep up on what’s happening with unsafe products under the jurisdiction the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC. The agency and Baby Trend are warning consumers about the risk of head or neck entrapment in Baby Trend’s Sit N’ Stand Double and Ultra strollers with model numbers beginning with “SS76” or “SS66”. The space in front of and behind the strollers’ pivoting front canopy can entrap a child’s head or neck if a non-occupant child climbs on the exterior of the stroller or when a child in the front seat of the stroller isn’t securely restrained... Continue Reading

Until this week, I hadn’t heard about a potential safety problem with electric bicycles or “e-bikes.” An article in The Washington Post, “A Child’s Death Prompts Questions About Brake Safety on E-bikes,” caught my attention. A lawsuit filed against Rad Power Bikes by the parents of a 12-year-old girl who was killed in 2021 in an e-bike accident claims the company’s bikes are “inappropriately” marketed to children and contain “multiple design defects,” according to The Post article. Molly Steinapir was riding behind her friend when the two girls were going down a steep hill... Continue Reading

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling about 143,000 E-Z-GO PTVs or personal transportation vehicles in the United States, 8,100 in Canada, and 1,000 in Mexico. Some of the PTVs were recalled earlier in September 2021, January 2022, and September 2022. PTVs are golf carts or golf cars. The electronic board that powers the USB port can overheat and ignite adjacent components, posing a fire hazard in the recalled PTVs. Textron has received 30 reports of the electronic board overheating, including two resulting in a fire with property damage. No injuries have been reported. This recall involves... Continue Reading

While a debate is ranging in America about whether gas stoves should be banned due harmful indoor emissions, one brand is expanding its recall of dangerous stoves. ZLINE is recalling about 30,000 30-inch, 36-inch, and 48-inch RG gas ranges including the 28,000 ZLINE 30- and 36-inch gas ranges recalled in December 2022. The oven of the gas ranges can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide or CO while in use, posing a serious risk of injury or death from CO poisoning. The firm has received 44 reports of carbon monoxide emission, including three reports of consumers seeking medical attention. The... Continue Reading

If you have a child or grandchild or are a caregiver, you need to know about the dangers of infant sleepers. More than 100 deaths have been reported in Rock ‘n’ Play Sleepers, which were recalled in April 2019. However, although 4.7 million were recalled, as of March 2022, only 9.5 percent of the sleepers had been accounted for, according to information from Fisher-Price’s parent company, Mattel. At least eight deaths have occurred after the recall, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC. The agency has reannounced the recall of Rock ‘n’ Play Sleepers. Deaths... Continue Reading

Another issue that should have been adequately addressed decades ago was also included in the congressional end-of-year spending bill. Starting in mid-2023, all new dressers and other clothing storage furniture in the United States will have to meet strong stability requirements before going to market. Tip-overs of unstable dressers have taken the lives of hundreds of children since 2000. “This hard-fought victory would not have been possible without the courageous parent advocates who shared their stories, transformed their grief into action, and successfully urged Congress to ensure that... Continue Reading

I hope keeping up with recalls is one of the items on your “good consumer” list. On May 5, 2021, the Peloton Tread+ treadmill was recalled because incidents associated with pull under and entrapment in the rear of the treadmills, and the Peloton Tread was recalled because the console on the Tread could detach and fall, posing a risk of injury to consumers. Why are the Peloton recalls back in the news again? Peloton Interactive Inc. has agreed to pay a $19 million dollar civil penalty to resolve charges that it failed to immediately report to a federal safety agency that its Tread+ treadmill... Continue Reading

The largest recall from last week is Samsung top-load washing machines, with about 663,500 being recalled. The washing machines can short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire risk. It’s another good example of why it’s important to keep up on recalls. Samsung has received 51 reports of smoking, melting, overheating, or fire involving the washers, 10 of which caused property damage. Three consumers have reported injuries due to smoke inhalation. The recalled washing machines feature Samsung’s super speed wash option. The setting is sold as an advanced cleaning technology that allows laundry... Continue Reading

Christmas is a great time of year. There’s so much joy to share for the yearly celebration with family and friends. Americans plan to spend $832.84 per person on gifts and other holiday items this year, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. That’s a 6 to 8 percent increase over last year. I hope the holiday season isn’t stressful for you and your family this year. Cut down your list of things to do and ask for help if your anxiety level is going up. Be sure also to follow the recommendations of health officials. Wear a mask in crowded places and inside. Stay... Continue Reading

Every year I write about children’s toys to avoid, according to W.A.T.C.H., World Against Toys Causing Harm, a group that helps raise awareness about the dangers in toys, children’s products, and recreational activities. W.A.T.C.H.’s list of nominees for the “10 Worst Toys” of 2022 includes: Cocomelon Musical Learning Watch: Potential for battery ingestion injuries. Disney Raya’s Action & Adventure Sword: Potential for blunt force and eye injuries. Li’l Woodzeez Tickle-Your-Taste-Buds Bakery: Potential for choking injuries. Zeus Lion: Potential for ingestion/aspiration injuries. Dingray... Continue Reading