Agency
CPSC oversees more than 15,000 categories of consumer products — toys, juvenile gear, electronics, recreation equipment — and announces recalls jointly with manufacturers.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees the safety of more than 15,000 categories of consumer products — toys, baby gear, kitchen appliances, furniture, recreational equipment, electronics, batteries, and most household goods. CPSC excludes anything covered by another federal agency: food, drugs, cars, firearms, boats. If it's something a household buys and uses, and no other agency owns it, CPSC owns it.
Unlike FDA and USDA, the vast majority of CPSC recalls are voluntary corrective actions negotiated between the agency and the manufacturer. CPSC publishes the joint announcement on its press-release feed; that's what The Recall Desk ingests. Hazards skew toward fire risk (especially lithium-ion batteries and small appliances), choking risk for juvenile products, fall risk for furniture and infant carriers, lead-paint violations on imported goods, and recently a rising count of magnet-set ingestion recalls.
The announcement always lists the model number, the date range of affected units, where the product was sold, and the remedy — usually a free replacement, a refund, or a free repair kit. If you bought a recalled product, save the receipt and check the manufacturer's website for the claim form before disposing of the item.
Seattle Cotton Works is recalling hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings due to a strangulation hazard for children. No injuries have been reported.
Pure Fishing is recalling Shakespeare Casting Game and Fishing Kits because the label contains high levels of lead in violation of federal bans. No injuries have been reported.
Valero Marketing & Supply Co. is recalling about 919,000 barrels of propane gas sold between January and October 2008 because it may lack sufficient odorant to detect leaks, posing fire and burn risks.
Kidde is recalling approximately 167,000 XL fire extinguishers because the pressurized cylinders may lose pressure and fail to operate during a fire.
Tippmann Sports is recalling about 13,000 A-5 paintball markers because the rear end cap assembly can break and eject, posing a risk of injury to the operator.
Electra Bicycle Company is recalling about 3,000 2009 model bicycles because the front tray can come loose and contact the front tire, posing a fall hazard to riders.
Infantino is recalling about 172,000 infant toys in the U.S. and 12,000 in Canada because blue metallic fabric can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Pronto Sports is recalling DBX Glide Boys' Ice Skates because the surface paint contains excessive lead, violating federal standards.
Big Lots is recalling Style Elements hair dryers because they lack required immersion protection, posing an electrocution risk if they fall into water.
Maytag is recalling approximately 1.6 million refrigerators because an electrical failure in the relay can cause overheating and fire. Consumers should contact Maytag for a free in-home repair.
Rettig Belgium is recalling Radson wall-mounted radiators because they can fall from the wall, posing a crush hazard. One child's death was reported in Belgium.
Wiseco is recalling specific off-road dirt bike connecting rods and crankshaft assemblies because engine stress could cause parts to crack, leading to a crash.
Universal Distribution Center is recalling Holiday Ultra-Brite Lights due to a shock and fire hazard caused by undersized wires. No injuries have been reported.
Springfield Wire Inc. is recalling Ritchie Immersion Heaters because the outer cover can crack, exposing the heating element to water and posing a shock hazard.
All-Clad is recalling approximately 30,000 4-Square Belgian Waffle Makers sold at Williams-Sonoma because damaged wiring can contact the metal body, posing a shock or fire hazard.
Nautilus is recalling Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gyms because the seat rail can fall unexpectedly, posing a risk of serious injury to users or bystanders.
Frontrow is recalling NIMH AA rechargeable batteries sold with PA system microphones because they can overheat and cause burns. No injuries have been reported.
Alpargatas USA is recalling about 210,000 Havaianas children's flip flops because decorative paint on the soles may contain excessive lead.
Seventh Avenue is recalling tealight candleholders because resin accents can ignite, posing a fire hazard. One report of minor property damage has been received.
LG Electronics is recalling about 30,000 LG 830 Spyder cell phones because they may drop or have poor connections on emergency 911 calls.
Salsa Bicycles is recalling about 8,600 handlebar stems that can crack or break, posing a fall hazard to riders.
CBB Group is recalling fishing games, rattles, and cars due to choking hazards and lead paint violations. No injuries have been reported.
Air Venturi is recalling about 50 model 909S Sam Yang .45 caliber air rifles because the safety can fail, posing a serious injury hazard.
Silent Diving Systems is recalling about 820 crimped low-pressure diving hoses because they may lack crimps, allowing gas leaks or water entry that pose a drowning hazard.
Old Navy is recalling about 35,500 stuffed animal and creature toys sold in the U.S. and 5,400 in Canada because the plastic button eyes can detach and pose a choking hazard to young children.