On October 8, 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Chance Rides Manufacturing, Inc. is recalling about 85 YO-YO amusement rides across the nation to inspect and repair the rides. The recall was prompted by two incidents involving the YO-YO ride resulting in injuries to children and adults, including scraped knees and back strains. On May 16, 2008, 23 riders of a YO-YO ride in Angels Camp, California fell to the ground when the sweep arms suspending the circular swinging chairs they were riding in broke free from the ride’s center cylinder rod.

Interesting how the amusement ride was not recalled until after the busy summer season was over. Does profit always have to come before safety?

This is particularly egregious because amusement rides are rarely (and we mean rarely if ever) inspected by any government official, local, state or federal. As to the recalled YO-YO, CPSC doesn't even have the authority to inspect inspect it because it is not a mobile amusement ride.

According to the CPSC's Directory of State Amusement Ride Safety Officials (August 2008), some states do not even have amusement ride inspection programs. This means in some states the safety of the amusement rides is left up to the owners and operators of the rides. Next time you are at an amusement park, take a look around and decide if you are comfortable with that.

If you think amusement rides need to be regulated, regularly inspected and subject to recall by the CPSC, please contact your federal legislators. However, it is possible they are too busy spending $700 billion on Wall Street to care.

If you have been injured on any amusement ride, you are welcome to contact our law firm for a free consultation. We don't have $700 billion to spend on Wall Street, and we do care.

Labels: Amusement Ride Accident, Amusement Ride Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers that unstable TVs, furniture and appliances pose a deadly danger to young children. These items can tip over and crush children, causing injury or death.

Last year, CPSC identified this issue as one of the “top five hidden home hazards.” According to a new report out from the CPSC, there were at least 180 tip-over related deaths between 2000 and 2006, 80 percent involving children younger than 10. The report also indicates that between 2005 and 2006 there were at least 40 reports of television or television and furniture related tip-over deaths.

These deaths and injuries frequently occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and stove oven doors. Televisions placed on top of furniture can tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries. Stove tip-over deaths have occurred when children stand on oven doors.

“Tip-over related deaths continue to be a problem. These tragedies can be prevented by taking precautions,” said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC recommends the following safety tips below:

• Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving and bureaus to the wall or floor using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws, or toggles.
• Place televisions on sturdy furniture appropriate for the size of the TV or on a low-rise base.
• Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand.
• Place electrical cords out of a child's reach, and teach children not to play with the cords.
• Remove items from the top of the TV and furniture that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls.

Posted October 2008.

Labels: Furniture Safety, Oven Safety

PB Heat LLC, a Bally, Pennsylvania company, has recalled about 1,200 gas boilers because the pressure switch could have an internal defect that could fail to shut down the boilers under vent or air inlet blockage. This switch defect could allow the boilers to produce excessive levels of carbon monoxide, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

This PB Heat gas boiler recall involves the DE and PSC II Gas Fired Cast Iron Boilers with the Endura Plastics Model ES2035 pressure switch used for home heating and domestic hot water heating. The boilers were available in either natural or LP gas. The boiler rating label is located on the top jacket panel on Series PSCII models and the left side jacket panel on the Series DE models. The label includes the model and serial number. The following model names and serial numbers are included in the recall:

Other suffix designation may follow the base model number such as SV-WPC.

The recalled PB Heat gas boilers were sold at plumbing and heating wholesale distributors nationwide from May 2007 through July 2008 for between $1,800 and $3,000. They were manufactured in the United States.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include the following:

• severe headache
• dizziness
• mentally confused
• upset stomach
• light headedness

Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to death (see "Carbon Monoxide Wrongful Death").

Posted September 2008.

Labels: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Gas Boiler Recall

Please email the following Simplicity crib recall information to everyone you know who cares for infants and toddlers. Prevent a death.

Retailers throughout the United States have recalled about 600,000 Simplicity cribs because the company that purchased the manufacturer of the cribs refuses to recall the dangerous cribs.

The recalled Simplicity cribs have hardware that is not the correct size, allowing the drop side to come off the tracks. When the drop side detaches or partially detaches, it creates a hazardous gap, which can lead to infant entrapment and suffocation.

The recalled Simplicity drop-side cribs are described as follows:

The recalled model numbers include: 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8778, 8810, and 8994. The recalled drop side cribs have a date code, which can be found on a label on the headboard under the mattress support, which ends in 05DH, 05GB, 06DH, 06GB, 07DH or 07GB (examples: 1806 DH or 0507 GB). The recalled model names include: Aspen and Crib N Changer Combo, Gabrielle, Camille, Providence and Shenandoah. Only the brand name “Simplicity” can be seen on the label on the headboard.

What this description means is that it may not be immediately apparent if you have a recalled Simplicity crib. You will need to look on the label on the headboard for “Simplicity” and the numbers above. If you are still unsure, you should contact the retailer where you purchased the crib.

The following retailers have recalled the Simplicity cribs:

AAFES, of Dallas, Texas
Babies“R”Us, of Wayne, N.J.
Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot, of Burlington, N.J.
K’s Merchandise (out of business)
Meijer Distribution Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Nebraska Furniture Mart, of Omaha, Neb.
ShopKo, of Green Bay, Wis.
Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc, of Bentonville, Ark.

Posted September 2008.

Labels: Crib Entrapment, Crib Suffocation, Simplicity Crib Recall

If the following product recall outrages you, please contact your federal legislators. Tell them that the federal government is not protecting its citizens from unsafe products and that, at the very least, the following should be done:

1. All products should be required to be tested for safety before they are put on the market. People do not realize that most products are not tested for safety.
2. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission needs to have broad authority to immediately recall products when there has been a serious injury or death or when it is evident that the product is not safe. Now, in most cases, manufacturers have to voluntarily recall products. In the case below (we will get to it), a toddler was strangled to death by a soccer goal net while his mother struggled in vain to free him. This happened last year, but the recall of the product was not initiated by the manufacturer until this month. There is something horrifically wrong with this.

The facts of the soccer goal net strangulation as reported by National Public Radio:

Last year in Texas, a 21-month-old boy tried to climb on one of the MacGregor nets from the back of the goal. He fell through the mesh, and the polyethylene cord contracted around his neck.

The toddler was in a fenced-in treeless backyard that contained only the soccer goal and carpet grass. By the time the mother realized what had happened, the cord around his neck was so tight, she was unable to pull his head back through.

She sent another child back into the house for a pair of scissors while she held her dying son's head, her hands straining at the cord.

Also according to the NPR report:

The difference in cost between making a goal with the deadly 5-inch mesh and a goal made with the smaller, safer mesh is estimated at less than 20 cents of polyethylene cord.

The recall of the soccer goals as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

September 16, 2008 - 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.

Name of Products: MacGregor Folding Soccer Goals, Mitre Folding Soccer Goals

Units: About 190,000 units

Distributor: Regent Sports Corporation, of Hauppauge, N.Y.

Hazard: The fixed knot flexible openings in the soccer goal net can pose a head and neck entrapment or strangulation hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Regent Sports and CPSC have received two reports of head entanglement, including the strangulation death of a 20-month-old child who was found with his arm and neck tangled in the soccer goal net.

Description: Both soccer goals have a foldable white frame with a white net that is attached by Velcro strips. When upright, the MacGregor goal measures 6 feet wide by 3 feet high and the Mitre net measures 8 feet wide by 6 feet high. Each has a recalled net with squares measuring 5 inches on each side. The MacGregor soccer goal has model number 97236 printed on the assembly instructions and UPC code number 029807972365 printed on the net’s packaging. The Mitre soccer goal has model number 89186 printed on the assembly instructions and UPC code number 029807891864 printed on the net’s packaging. Nets manufactured after April 2007 with 4 inch by 4 inch square openings are not included in the recall.

Sold at: Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware and sports and toy stores nationwide from May 2002 through May 2008 for $26.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: [Do not do this if your child has been injured.] Consumers should stop using the recalled soccer goal nets immediately and return them to Regent Sports to receive a free replacement net. [If your child has been injured or strangled to death in a soccer goal net, do not contact the retailer or Regent Sports. Contact us immediately about a lawsuit. These cases are strict liability cases and punitive damages may be available.]

Labels: Soccor Goal Net Recall, Strangulation Death

Worldwise Inc. has recalled about 223,000 retractable dog leashes because the metal clasp can break, causing the leash to recoil back and injure the dog owner. People have reported facial cuts, a broken tooth, displaced eye lens, and a bruised collar bone. Below is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announcement of the SlyDog Retractable Dog Leash recall:

Worldwise Inc. Recalls Retractable Dog Leashes; Metal Clasp Can Break and Cause Facial and Body Injuries to Dog Owners

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Products: SlyDog™ Retractable Dog Leashes

Units: About 223,000

Importer: Worldwise Inc., of San Rafael, Calif.

Hazard: The metal clasp connecting the leash to a dog’s collar can bend or break while in use, causing the leash to recoil back unexpectedly. This poses a serious risk of injury to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Worldwise has received five reports of injuries, including facial cuts, a broken tooth, displaced eye lens, and a bruised collar bone. [Contact us about compensation for disfigurement in a product liability lawsuit.]

Description: This recall involves the SlyDog™ Retractable Dog Leash with a metal clasp. The leash has a handle composed of a blue plastic case with a black plastic grip. The leash is made of a black woven strap and measures approximately one-half inch wide. The end of the leash has a metal clasp which connects to the dog’s collar. The SlyDog™ retractable leashes with a plastic clasp are not included in this recall.

Sold by: Dollar General Stores nationwide from September 2007 through August 2008 for about $5.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: [If you have been injured by a SlyDog leash, do not return the leash for a refund. Contact our law firm.] Consumers should stop using these leashes immediately and return them to Worldwise Inc. for a full refund, including shipping costs.

Labels: Disfigurement, Eye Damage

Wolf Appliance Inc. has recalled about 24,000 Wolf Gas Ranges due to possible burn hazard. Below is the Wolf Gas Range recall announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

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.

Name of Product: Wolf Appliance Gas Ranges

Units: About 24,000

Manufacturer: Wolf Appliance Inc., of Madison, Wis.

Hazard: Delayed ignition of gas in the 18-inch oven can cause a flash of flames to be projected at a consumer when the range door is opened, posing a burn hazard to consumers. [This Wolf Gas Range recall involves possible burns to the hands, arms and face. When burn injuries involve disfigurement, the person burned should be compensated for the disfigurement by responsible parties. In this case, if you have been burned on the face when opening a Wolf Gas Range, you should contact our law firm regarding compensation for disfigurement.]

Incidents/Injuries: Wolf has received 97 reports of units experiencing delayed ignition, including 15 minor burns. There have been no reports of fires or property damage.

Description: This recall involves the following Wolf Appliance 48-Inch gas ranges with model numbers: P48, PS48 and R48. The gas ranges are stainless steel with a double oven. A “Wolf” appliance logo is on the front of the larger oven door.

Sold at: Home builders and appliance stores nationwide from January 1998 through June 2008 for between $5,000 and $9,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: [If you have been burned by a Wolf gas stove, you should not contact the manufacturer before contacting a burn injury lawyer. Please contact our law firm at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free), email our lawyers or submit our online form for a free consultation.] Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled gas range 18-inch oven and contact the manufacturer to schedule a free, in-home repair. The large oven and all cooktop burners are not affected and may be used.