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Products Recalled by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
06/30/10 - 07:48 AM

CPSC

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Super Lightning Rocket Fireworks Recalled by Big Fireworks Due to Risk of Burn

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Super Lightning Rockets

Units: About 4,700

Distributor: Big Fireworks, of Lansing, Mich.

Hazard: The rockets are overloaded with pyrotechnic composition, violating the federal regulatory standard for this product. This could result in a greater than expected explosion, posing a risk of burns and bodily harm to nearby consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves stick-type rockets with 1 1/2-inch in diameter engine that is mounted on 32-inch wood stick. The engine is wrapped in black paper with a background of solar system and the writing “Super Rocket,” in assorted colors. The rockets were sold in packs of four, and have item number GCR3150 printed on the front of the package and on the rocket engine.

Sold at: Fireworks stands and stores in Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan from November 2009 through June 2010 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fireworks and contact Big Fireworks for instructions on how to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Big Fireworks toll-free at (866) 514-6225 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.bigfireworks.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10281.html

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Radio Systems Corporation Recalls Power Adapters Sold with PetSafe(r) Heated Wellness Sleepers Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Power Adapters for heated pet beds

Units: About 20,000

Importer: Radio Systems Corporation of, Knoxville, Tenn.

Hazard: When the metal connector is removed from the bed, it can cause arcing between the coil spring and the connector, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of connectors melting. No injuries or fires have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Class 2 Transformers that were sold with PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleepers. The power adapters are identified by the markings “PLUG IN CLASS 2 TRANSFORMER,” “MODEL NO: K12-800” and have a spring coil covering the length of the electrical wire that goes from the sleeper. Power adapters without spring coils are not affected by this recall.

Sold at: Pet specialty stores, catalog and online retailers nationwide from September 2006 through April 2010 for between $70 and $110.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power adapter and contact the firm to receive a free replacement adapter.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Radio Systems Corporation at (800) 732-2677 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or visit the firm’s website at www.petsafe.net

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10283.html

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Thousands of Injuries with Sparklers, Firecrackers, and Aerials; CPSC Urges Consumers To Put Safety In Play During the Fourth of July

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants consumers to put safety in play if fireworks are part of your Fourth of July celebrations. A new CPSC study indicates that in 2009 there were two deaths and nearly 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries resulting from fireworks related incidents. Most fireworks injuries occurred to consumers younger than 20 and resulted in the loss of a limb in many cases.

In a press event held on The National Mall, Chairman Inez Tenenbaum announced that during the 30 days surrounding last year’s Independence Day holiday, there were nearly 6,000 reports of injuries involving fireworks. Burns and lacerations to the hands, the face and the head were the most frequently reported injuries. More than half of the injuries during this time period were related to firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers.

“Consumers need to heed our warning: fireworks related incidents, especially those involving illegal fireworks, can be fatal,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Only use legal fireworks and follow CPSC’s tips to ensure your holiday remains festive and safe.”

Chairman Tenenbaum was joined on The Mall by Chief Glenn Gaines, Acting Fire Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Daniel Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and Arthur Herbert, Assistant Director, Enforcement Programs and Services, for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Also joining CPSC on the Mall was Jason Henderson. Mr. Henderson lost both hands and sight in his right eye during a fireworks-related incident.

CPSC is working closely with our federal partners to enforce fireworks regulations, protect our ports, prosecute manufacturers and distributors of illegal explosives, and educate the public about the risks associated with fireworks.

“Fireworks not only create significant dangers to citizens when used improperly or illegally but also increases the demands on fire departments and firefighters,” said Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines. “This nation has lost four firefighters as a result of the use of illegal fireworks. Calls to EMS and Fire departments increased as individuals continue to be injured and burned. Almost 9,000 people were injured last year as a result of civilian use of fireworks. With these increased demands the risks to firefighters and EMS personnel needlessly increase when fireworks play gets out of control.”

The federal government is committed to stopping the manufacture and sale of illegal fireworks.

“ATF is committed to protecting the public by finding and stopping those who endanger our communities by illegally making and selling explosives devices,” said ATF Assistant Director Arthur Herbert. “If you become aware of an illegal manufacturing operation, or see someone selling devices or fireworks illegally, report it immediately to your local law enforcement or to ATF at (888) 283-2662.”

Consumers who decide to purchase legal fireworks are encouraged to take the following safety steps:

- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

- Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.

- Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don’t realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

- Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.

- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.

- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

- Light one item at a time then move back quickly.

- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

- After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire

To see this press release on CPSC’s web site, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10282.html