Consumer Products Recalls

Choking

Choking

Entrapment

Baby Strollers Repaired by Graco NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Repair kit no longer available. Do not use these products. Please discard or destroy these products. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued May 23, 1983; Revised August 27, 2001 Release # 83-028 CPSC Announces Repair Program For Baby Strollers WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission had announced a voluntary repair program being undertaken by Graco Children's Products, Inc., of Elverson, Pennsylvania, affecting approximately 49,000 E-Z Roller baby strollers. The strollers were distributed nationally between January, 1982, and April, 1983, and have the potential for infant finger entrapment in the main metal-folding hinge on each side of the stroller. Graco reports that since January 1982, the strollers have been involved in four incidents in which children, not yet in the stroller, placed their fingers in the main metal folding hinge on the sides of the stroller while it was being unfolded for use. The repair kit is no longer available. Please discard or destroy these products. Only Graco E-Z Roller baby strollers, Model 6620 and Model 6020 are affected. These umbrella type folding strollers have a blue denim seat, red handle grips, and a metal folding hinge, They were sold in retail stores nationwide for approximately $29. No other Graco strollers are affected. Consumers with questions can call Graco customer service toll-free at l-800-345-4109 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Consumers wishing further information may call the CPSC toll free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054. An infant's finger could be entrapped in the main metal-folding hinge on each side of the stroller as it is being opened for use. Only models 6630 and 6020 are involved.

Poisoning

Poisoning

Adapters For TI 99/4A Computer Provided by Texas Instruments NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1983 Release # 83-071 Texas Instruments Providing Adapter For TI 99/4A Computer Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Texas Instruments Incorporated said today that it is conducting a voluntary program of providing transformer adapters free of charge to correct a potential defect recently discovered in one model of the transformers supplied with the Texas Instruments 99/4A home computer. Over four hundred thousand transformer units are involved. The transformer is the small black box which plugs in between the computer and the electrical outlet. Consumers are instructed to plug in their adapter between the transformer and the wall outlet. The company reported it had found by laboratory testing that there is a remote possibility that a failure of the transformer could result in certain metal parts of the computer console becoming electrified thus presenting a possible shock hazard. Neither the Consumer Product Safety Commission nor Texas Instruments has received any report of hazardous incident or injury from the hundreds of thousands of Texas Instruments home computers in use. The 99/4A model home computers have been sold in a variety of retail outlets over the past year at suggested retail prices of $450 and $375 with $100 rebate in effect since September 11, 1982. All owners of the 99/4A known to the company through rebate cards or warranty cards will receive the adapters automatically by mail. The company asks owners who are not sure their names and addresses are in its files to call the Texas Instruments toll free numbers (800-858-4565 or 800-527-3550 ) (Texas only: 800-858-1802), and request that the adapter be sent to them. Prior to receipt and installation of the adapter plug or cord, the company advises consumers to unplug and discontinue using computer if any sign of transformer overheating, unusual odor, or computer malfunction occurs. Texas Instruments is also instituting a green "Safety Check" label for easy recognition by customers that the transformers in inventory at retail stores have been inspected and modified as necessary. A similar label will be placed on the transformer and its wrapper inside the box. Consumers who desire further information or who have questions regarding the Texas Instruments 99/4A home computer may call CPSC's toll free hotline: 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.

Entrapment

Choking

November 18, 1982Release #82-049 CPSC Warns Of Explosion Hazard with Fireplace-Powered Water Heaters Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers of an explosion hazard with certain fireplace-powered water heaters used to supplement home heating systems. Units involved were sold under the brand names "Hydrohearth," "Hydroplace," and "Aqua Grate." Manufacturers of these units - Ridgeway Steel Fabricators, Inc. of Ridgeway, Pennsylvania and Shark Manufacturing Corporation of Greenlawn, New York are no linger in business. These devices are made of tubular steel or steel plate and resemble a fireplace grate or liner. Plumbing connects the unit to the hot-water heating system of the home. When these is a fire in the fireplace, furnace heat is either supplemented or replaced entirely by heat generated through the fireplace. Slowing or stopping the flow of water through the unit (resulting from circulator pump failure, electrical power failure, or frozen pipes) may result in water in the unit boiling into steam. If the unit does not have an adequate pressure relief device, properly installed, the build-up of pressure can cause an explosion. CPSC urges consumers who have one of these units to have its installation checked by a qualified, licensed plumber who has specific knowledge of boilers, water pumps, pipe freezing problems, and pressure relief valves. Of particular importance is the location, pressure rating, and flow capacity of the safety valve. If there is no safety valve, have one installed with a pressure rating and flow capacity suitable for any type of fire. The safety valve should be installed in the outlet piping as near to the unit as possible without risking damage due to overheating. It should be oriented according to the valve manufacturer's recommendation to avoid safety valve clogging. The outlet pipe from the unit to the safety valve should contain no valves or other restrictions. The safety valve should be checked periodically by triggering it to be sure that it will relieve pressure. This should be done with caution, by a knowledgeable person, to avoid hot water scalding. Other fireplace-powered water heaters that contain built-in safety devices such as burst disks, fusible plugs, or blowout plugs, are not subject to this warning. Information on the devices involved and what owners of these devices should do can be obtained by calling the Commission's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC

Strangulation

Choking