Recall Alert: Brand Name Consumer Products - November 2006

Family Dollar Recalls “Creepy Cape” Costumes Due to Flammability Hazard

Name of Product: “Creepy Cape” Halloween Costumes

Units: About 120,000

Importer: TONY Development & Manufacturing (USA), of Montclair, N.J.

Retailer: Family Dollar Inc., of Matthews, N.C.

Hazard: These vinyl capes fail to meet the standard for the flammability of vinyl plastic film, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves 40-inch black vinyl capes with a stand-up collar. A white sticker on the collar of the cape reads, “FLAME RETARDANT PVC” and “MADE IN CHINA.” The packaging shows a green-skinned vampire wearing a black cape. Writing on the packaging includes “CREEPY CAPE,” “Ages 6 to 60,” and “NO. 53600.”

Sold at: Family Dollar stores nationwide from August 2005 through October 2006 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled capes and return them to any Family Dollar store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Family Dollar toll-free at (800) 547-0359 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.familydollar.com.

Wal-Mart Recalls Home Trends Footstools for Collapse Hazard

Name of Product: Home Trends Wood Footstools

Units: About 165,000

Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: Due to improper construction, the stool can break and collapse, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Wal-Mart has received nine reports of the footstools breaking. There have been seven reports of injuries, including a broken toe, neck and shoulder soreness, cuts, bruises, swelling, a slight concussion, and whiplash.

Description: The footstool is a natural-colored wood footstool. The standing surface is 11 1/2-inches by 11 1/2-inches with a 4-inch-long oval opening in the center. The stool is 11 1/2-inches tall. The recalled footstool can be identified by a white sticker underneath the step that contains the UPC number 87065900001.

Sold at: Wal-Mart stores exclusively nationwide from December 2005 through September 2006 for about $10.

Manufactured in: Malaysia

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to Wal-Mart for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Wal-Mart toll free at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit www.walmartstores.com for more information.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA Recalls ATV for Loss of Steering Control Hazard

Name of Product: Kawasaki 2007 Model Year Bayou 250 All-Terrain Vehicles

Units: 291

Distributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif.

Hazard: The nuts securing the tie-rod ends to the steering shaft may not have been tightened sufficiently during assembly. If the nuts loosen during operation, the operator could lose steering control, posing a risk of crashing.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries reported.

Description: The recall involves 2007 model year Kawasaki KLF250A7F ATVs. These are 4-wheel ATVs sold under the brand name Kawasaki Bayou 250. They are available in red, green, or white. The words “Kawasaki” and “Bayou” are on the sides, and “250” is on the rear fender.

Sold at: Authorized Kawasaki dealers nationwide from September 2006 through October 2006 for about $3,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the ATV immediately and contact their local Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free repair. The correction will consist of tightening the tie-rod end mounting nuts to the proper torque. Kawasaki dealers will correct this problem at no charge.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact your local Kawasaki dealer or call Kawasaki toll-free at (866) 802-9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kawasaki.com.

Starbucks Announces Recall of 8-Cup Coffee Brewers Due to Possible Fire Hazard

Name of Product: Starbucks Barista Aroma™ Stainless Steel 8-Cup Coffee Brewers

Units: About 73,000

Distributor: Starbucks Coffee Company, of Seattle, Wash.

Hazard: The coffee brewer has defective electrical wiring that can result in overheating, smoking, burning and melting, posing a possible fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Starbucks has received 23 reports of melting in the plastic housing of the brewers. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall includes the Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-Cup Coffee Brewer only. “Starbucks Barista Aroma” is embossed on the front of the brewer and the brewer has silver control panel buttons and a chrome finish. The Starbucks Barista Grande 12-Cup Coffee Brewer and Starbucks Barista Solo Coffee Brewers are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Starbucks company-owned and operated stores nationwide between March 2005 and September 2006 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled coffee brewers immediately and contact Starbucks for a full refund. Consumers will receive a postage-paid package along with instructions on how to return their brewer. Starbucks is also offering a coupon (valid through 1/31/07) for a free pound of coffee as an incentive to return the recalled machine.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should contact Starbucks’ Barista Aroma recall hotline at (800) 453-1047 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. MT (11 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET), or visit the company’s Web site at www.starbucks.com - consumers may also write to Starbucks Coffee Company at Customer Relations, Starbucks Coffee Company, mail stop S-RC1, P.O. Box 3717, Seattle, WA 98124-3717.

This page only lists some of the recent recalls of potentially dangerous products. To find out about other product recalls, visit the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov .