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.
Spin Master Toys is recalling about 108,000 Splash Blast Water Rockets because they can fly unpredictably and strike children.
BSH Home Appliances is recalling about 2,300 Thermador combination thermal/microwave ovens because the door may not lock during self-clean mode, posing a fire risk.
COMBI International Corp. is recalling about 4,100 activity rockers because a clear plastic ball on the toy bar can crack, exposing small beads that pose a choking hazard to young children.
Child Craft Industries is recalling about 4,300 changing tables because joints may separate, posing a fall hazard to babies.
Sears is recalling about 33,000 Craftsman glue guns sold nationwide from October 2000 to March 2001 because they can overheat, posing fire and burn risks.
Drinkmaker of Sweden AB is recalling about 4,000 home soda-making machines because internal components can break apart, posing a risk of lacerations and fractures.
Canon U.S.A. is recalling approximately 60,000 B640 Faxphones because a component failure can cause the machines to catch fire. No injuries have been reported.
Fisher-Price is recalling about 55,000 Grow-to-Pro Basketball Sets because enlarged net openings could tangle around a child's neck. No injuries have been reported.
Milwaukee and DEWALT are recalling 1/2-inch electric drills because the switches can stick, causing the tools to keep running after the trigger is released.
Unilever is recalling Snuggle Teeny Bean Bears included with fabric softener because the yellow pom-pom can detach and pose a choking hazard to young children.
Maytag is recalling about 13,000 Crosley and Magic Chef electric ranges because liquid can enter the indicator light, causing sparking and flaming. No injuries have been reported.
Vermont Castings space heaters are being recalled because they can overheat, posing fire and burn risks. Consumers should stop using them immediately.
Sturm, Ruger & Co. is recalling 2 million padlocks and cable gun locks because they can be opened without the correct key or by force, posing a risk of unauthorized firearm access.
Dell is recalling Inspiron 5000 battery modules because they can overcharge, become hot, and catch fire. Consumers should stop using them immediately.
Dynacraft is recalling approximately 54,000 Magna Equator mountain bicycles because the pedals can loosen and fall off while riding, posing a risk of serious injury.
Sheico PKS Inc. is recalling about 10,000 scuba buoyancy compensator devices because the overpressure valve can stick open, posing a drowning risk to divers.
Harbor Freight Tools is recalling propane torches because the hose can crack or burst, causing fire and explosion hazards.
Tools Exchange Inc. is recalling about 5,300 novelty cigarette lighters because they lack required child-resistant mechanisms, posing fire and burn hazards to young children.
Evenflo is recalling 3.4 million Joyride car seats because the handle can release unexpectedly, causing infants to fall. Consumers should stop using the handle until a free repair kit is installed.
Kmart is recalling approximately 24,000 Martha Stewart Everyday brand tea kettles because boiling water can be expelled from the spout, posing a burn risk.
Creative Consumer Concepts and Whataburger are recalling about 330,000 Whatagear compass toys because the clear plastic lens covers can detach and pose a choking hazard to young children.
Dynacraft is recalling about 38,000 boys' mountain bicycles sold at Wal-Mart because the front-suspension forks can break, causing serious injury.
Kawasaki Motors is recalling about 3,000 ASTRON and TMC backpack blowers because engine exhaust flames pose fire and burn risks. No injuries have been reported.
DFS Group is recalling about 65,000 souvenir cigarette lighters sold in Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Portland because they lack child-resistant mechanisms, posing fire and burn hazards.
ASICS TIGER Corp. is recalling approximately 60,000 wrestling ear guards because the plastic shells can break upon impact, causing head and ear injuries.