Use Child Car Seats Properly

Car crashes are the leading cause of injuries and deaths to children in the United States.  The main reason is that children are not properly restrained in a car seat or, even worse, are not in any type of restraint at all.  Every state has laws requiring children to be correctly restrained in a car seat usually until they are 7 years old or close to that age.  Most states require booster seats after this age until they reach a certain weight and/or height. 

According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in its Traffic Safety Facts publication, “Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars.”  However, even though car seats are used, often times they are not properly installed and the child’s safety is still in jeopardy.

To avoid confusion and ensure the well-being of your child, the NHTSA offers the following recommendations:

• Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, and choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time.
• Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, which has been required in almost all cars and on child safety seats since September, 2002); and check height and weight limits.
• To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
• Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

If you aren’t sure that your child’s car seat is properly installed, you may visit a child car seat inspection station.  A certified technician will inspect the car seat and show you how to properly install and use it.  Many stations perform this service free of charge.  Click here to find the inspection station closest to you.

You may also register your car seat with the NHTSA by completing and sending the Child Safety Seat Registration Form.  Your form will be forwarded to the manufacturer.  This will allow you to be notified in the event of a recall of your car seat.

To learn more about child car seat safety, you may check the following links for additional safety tips and information:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/LATCH

http://www.babycenter.com/baby-car-seat-car-safety

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Howard Berger Company, has announced a voluntary recall of Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cords and Power Strips. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  There are about 12,000 of these units currently in use.

It has been determined that the extension cords and power strips have inadequate coating material around the cords and copper conductors that are smaller than required, posing a fire hazard to consumers.  This recall involves Brightway heavy duty outdoor extension cords and Brightway indoor household extension cords and power strips. Model numbers involved in the recall are R2600 through R2615 (outdoor extension cords), EE6 through EE20 (indoor extension cords) and MP6DG (power strips). “Brightway” is printed on the cords. Model numbers are printed on the product’s packaging.

These units were sold at hardware and discount stores nationwide from August 2009 through October 2009 for between $1 and $20.  Consumers should immediately stop using the extension cords and power strips and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Howard Berger at (800) 221-6895 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.hberger.com. Consumers can also email the firm at robertwinterstein@hberger.com

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Fluke Corporation announced a voluntary recall of the Fluke VoltAlert® Voltage Detector. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

There are about 33,000 units involved in this recall. The testers can fail to give an indication of live voltage, resulting in the operator falsely believing the electrical power is off, posing a risk of serious injury or death from electrical shock or thermal burns.

The Fluke voltage testers look like a pen with a yellow, white and gray body. The testers measure 90 to 1000 volts alternating current (VAC). “Fluke” and the model number are printed on the front of each unit. The recall involves Fluke 1AC-A1-I VoltAlert® tester with the following model and item numbers:
1AC-AI FLUKE-1AC-I VoltAlert Voltage Tester

These items are sold at Industrial distributors and electrical wholesalers nationwide from September 2009 through February 2010 for about $25.

Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and contact Fluke for a free replacement. For additional information, contact Fluke toll-free at (888) 983-5853 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.fluke.com/1AC-A1recall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Hitachi Koki U.S.A., Ltd., of Norcross, Ga., announced a voluntary recall of there Coil Nailers. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

There are about 50,000 in the United States and about 15,000 in Canada.  The coil nailers are used to project nails into drywall, wood or other materials. The model number is NV83A2 and can be found on the body of the product. Only those units manufactured between October 2002 and September 2005 are included in this recall. The manufacturing date can be identified by the serial number engraved at the end of the handle, the first digit representing the month (1 for January, 2 for February, 3 for March, 4 for April, 5 for May, 6 for June, 7 for July, 8 for August, 9 for September, O for October, N for November and D for December) and the second digit representing the year (2 for 2002, 3 for 2003, 4 for 2004 and 5 for 2005).

These units have been sold at Lowe’s, Home Depot, other home improvement and building supply stores and online at Amazon.com nationwide from November 2002 through March 2006 for between $350 and $400.
The nailers could have a faulty feeder that can allow nails to be ejected sideways, posing a serious injury hazard to the user or bystanders.  The firm has received 37 reports of nails being ejected sideways, including 15 reports of injuries. The injuries were primarily in the eye region, including five reports of partial blindness.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled coil nailer and contact Hitachi Koki U.S.A., Ltd. for a free repair. For additional information, contact Hitachi Koki U.S.A., Ltd. at (800) 706-7337 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hitachipowertools.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=959

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

MSA North America Announces a Recall of High Impact Propionate Visors

MSA North America announced on February 9 a Stop-Use and Recall Notice for some high impact propionate visors.  Through their supplier Paulson Manufacturing and through internal and third party tests, the visors did not to meet the high velocity and high mass impact tests required by ANSI Z87.1-2003.  All other performance requirements of the standard were met.

The visors in question were manufactured from February, 2004 to January, 2010.  The part number, material type, and date of manufacture are identified on each visor label.  These are the following part numbers to look for: 10005883, 10005885, 10006024, 10086994, 10086998, 10087000, and 10087022.  Visor part number 10005883 is also being recalled from Canadian customers due to incorrect labeling.

If you receive a Stop-Use and Recall Notice http://media.msanet.com/www/PDFs/MSANorthAmerica/SafetyNotices/10001-02(stop_use_notice).pdf from MSA, locate all affected visors and remove them from service.  The company is offering alternate visors to replace these products at no cost to their customers.  Complete directions for returning the visors are outlined in the notice.

MSA has not received any complaints or returns of these visors, but is issuing the notice as a precautionary measure.  They are working with the manufacturer to correct all problems.  You may contact MSA at their North America headquarters in Pittsburgh at 800-672-2222 or via their website at www.msanet.com.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, California announced a voluntary recall of Certain Acer Aspire-series Notebook Computers. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

There are about 22,000 units that are of concern. An internal microphone wire under the palm rest can short circuit and overheat. This poses a potential burn hazard to consumers.  Acer has received three reports of computers short circuiting, resulting in slight melting of the external casing. No incidents occurred in the United States. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled notebook computer models are the Acer AS3410, AS3410T, AS3810T, AS3810TG, AS3810TZ and AS3810TZG. The computer’s screen size is about 13.3 inches measured diagonally. Not all units are affected. Consumers should contact Acer to determine if their unit is included in the recall.

These computers were sold at ABS Computer Technologies, D&H Distributing, Fry’s Electronics, Ingram Micro, Radio Shack, SED/American Express, Synnex Corporation, SYX Distribution, Tech Data Corporation and other retailers nationwide and Amazon.com from June 2009 through October 2009 for between $650 and $1,150.

Consumers should stop using the recalled notebook computers immediately and contact Acer to determine if their notebook is affected and to receive a free repair.  For additional information, contact Acer toll-free at (866) 695-2237 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.acer.com

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with No-Spill LLC announced a voluntary recall of the No-Spill 5-gallon Gasoline Cans. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The gas containers can leak fuel at the black plastic collar where the spout connects to the can, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. The 5-gallon gas cans are made from heavy-duty red plastic and carry date codes AIP09202 through AIP09222. The date code is located on the bottom of the can. Not all cans in this date range are affected.

These cans are sold at Lawn & garden stores nationwide, hardware retailers and online from August 2009 through November 2009 for about $30.  Consumers should test their gas cans to determine whether they leak and immediately stop using the leaky cans. Consumers should contact No-Spill to receive a free replacement.

For additional information, contact No-Spill toll-free at (877) 928-0049 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.nospill.com/recall

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with MooreCo, Inc. announced a voluntary recall of the Spine Align and Posture Perfect Ergonomic Office Chairs.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The legs of the chair can break, posing fall hazard to the user.  The company has received five reports of the legs of the chairs breaking, resulting in three minor injuries and in the aggravation of an existing back injury.

This recall involves the Spine Align and the Posture Perfect Ergonomic Office Chairs with model numbers 34571 and 34556 respectively. The base of the chair is made of hard plastic and the chair has no marks or labels. Chairs bearing marks or labels are not included in this recall. The model number is found in the packaging.

These chairs are sold through catalogs and online by United Stationers, Staples, S.P. Richards, and W.B. Mason from December 2007 through October 2009 for between $320 and $650.

Consumers should stop using the recalled chairs immediately and contact MooreCo for a free repair or a replacement chair.  For additional information, contact MooreCo toll free at (888) 446-5161 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.chairrecall.com

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Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts and Jackets Recalled by Century 21 Promotions, Inc. Due to Strangulation Hazard.

The U.S. CPSC, in cooperation with Century 21 Promotions, Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of Youth Hooded Sweatshirts and Jackets.  Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Century 21 Promotions., Inc. of Seattle, Washington imported 17,000 of these Hooded Sweatshirts and jackets from China. The sweatshirts have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines  to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.  No Injuries have been reported.

This recall involves children’s sweatshirts and jackets sold in sizes XS – XXL in colors: navy blue, black, brown, pink, red, white, green, grey, blue, yellow, and orange. The recalled garments contain the following embroidered logos: “Montauk,” “Avalon,” “Stone Harbor,” “Cape May,” “Sea Isle,” “Ocean City,” “Alaska,” “Nantucket,” “Maine,” “Long Beach Island,” “Lavallette,” “Seaside Park,” “Newport,” “Monterey,” “Carmel,” “Skaneateles,” “1000 Islands,” “Block Island” and “Seattle.”

The following retail and gift shops: Montauk Clothing, Riptide East, Shirt Shops of Cape May, Summer Sweats, Rip Current Sportswear, B&B Dept. Stores, Trapper Jack’s, Annie & The Tees, Emporium, Inc., The Trading Co., Mackerel Jack’s, Carmel Classics, Rolands, The Ship Gift Shop, Star Dept. Store, Seattle Shirt and Simply Seattle from September 2005 through September 2009 for between $25 and $35. Most stores are located in New England with two stores each in Seattle, Washington and Alaska.

Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garment to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Century 21 Promotions at (800) 935-2100 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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The U.S. CPSC, in cooperation with Grand World Inc, today announced a voluntary recall of Bobby Chupete Pacifiers.

Grand World Inc., of Maspeth, N.Y. imported 641,000 of the Bobby Chupete Pacifiers from China, these pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards. The pacifier mouth guard is too small, posing a choking hazard to infants and toddlers. These pacifier’s were sold at various retail stores nationwide from November 2004 through July 2009 for about $1. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Bobby Chupete pacifiers. The pacifiers have a ring-shaped handle and heart-shaped mouth guard with two ventilation holes. The nipple is made of latex. Bobby Chupete and a picture of an infant are printed on the pacifier’s packaging. The pacifier was sold in aqua, red, white or yellow colors.

Consumer should immediately take the recalled pacifiers away from infants and toddlers and contact Grand World for a refund or a replacement pacifier.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Grand World collect at (718) 326-7786 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.grandworldinc.com

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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