Recall Alert: Deck Cleaner, Resistance Trainers, Water Heaters, and Toys - April 2008

Cabot Recalls Composite Deck Cleaner Due to Inhalation and Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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: Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner

Units: About 24,000

Distributor: Cabot Stains (a division of Valspar Corp.), of Newburyport, Mass.

Hazard: One of the components of the composite cleaner can react with metal foil residue on the packaging, releasing heat and chlorine gas. This poses a fire and inhalation hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Cabot has received one report of the composite cleaner’s plastic container partially melting and emitting a chlorine odor. No injuries were reported.

Description: This recall involves the Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner #3502. The deck cleaner is a granular concentrate that, when mixed with water, is used to clean composite surfaces such as decks, railings, steps, fences and siding. It was sold in a 2-pound plastic container. The label on the container reads: “Cabot Composite Cleaner” and has number 3502 at the bottom of the front of the label.

Sold at: Home improvement centers and hardware stores nationwide from February 2007 through February 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the store of purchase for a full refund. If the container looks deformed or if it feels hot to the touch, immediately call Cabot anytime to arrange for the safe handling of the product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cabot at (877) 755-3336, or visit the company’s Web site at www.cabotstain.com/recall

Performance Inc. Recalls Bicycle Resistance Trainers Due to Puncture Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 2007 and 2008 Performance Travel Trac Trainers

Units: About 3,000

Importer: Performance Inc., of Chapel Hill, N.C.

Hazard: The springs in the resistance trainers can unhook and become a projectile, posing a puncture hazard to users or bystanders.

Incidents/Injuries: Performance has received three reports of springs releasing from the bike trainers. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled trainers are folding stands that lift and apply resistance to the rear wheel of a standard bike, converting the bike into a stationary trainer. There are three Travel Trac (TT) models included in the recall. The TT Inertial and TT I-Force Wireless use the same stand, with a looping black base and two red bike support arms. Along the right arm is Travel Trac printed in white. “Millennium” is printed along the left arm of the stand on a vertical white decal. TT Inertial and I-Force Wireless have black horizontal decals. The TT Millennium I-Force has a collapsible black stand with Travel Trac and I-Force vertical white decals and Inertial in small red letters. The item numbers are printed on the bottom of the last page of the owner’s manual. The following models are included in the recall:

Model – Catelog (UPC)

• Travel Trac Inertial – 40-3834 (400014548343)
• Travel Trac I-Force Wireless – 40-3833 (400014548268)
• Travel Trac Millennium I-Force – 40-3656 (400013501073)

Sold at: Performance stores nationwide, and Performance’s Web site and catalogs from October 2006 through March 2008 for between $330 and $400.

Manufactured in: Italy

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these bicycle trainers and return the trainers to the local Performance store for a refund, repair or credit. Consumers also can return the trainers directly to Performance for a repair or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Performance at (800) 727-2433 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.performanceinc.com or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nashbar Direct Inc. Recalls Bicycle Resistance Trainers Due to Puncture Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 2008 Travel Trac Gravity Inertial Trainers

Units: About 200

Importer: Nashbar Direct Inc., of Canfield, Ohio

Hazard: The springs in the resistance trainers can unhook and become a projectile, posing a puncture hazard to users or bystanders.

Incidents/Injuries: Nashbar has received three reports of springs releasing from the bike trainers. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled trainers are folding stands that lift and apply resistance to the rear wheel of a standard bike, converting the bike into a stationary trainer. The recall includes Travel Trac Gravity Inertial Trainers (catalog # NB-TTMIF) with a looping black base with two red support arms. Travel Trac is printed in white on the right support arm and Millennium is printed in white on the left arm. Inertial is printed on the top of the right arm in black with a white border. The resistance unit has a rounded black plastic cover with a soft red elastomer roller. The item number is also printed on the bottom of the last page of the owner’s manual.

Sold at: Nashbar’s Web site and catalogs from January 2008 through February 2008 for about $330.

Manufactured in: Italy

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these bicycle trainers and contact Nashbar to receive a free repair or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Nashbar at (877) 688-8600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.nashbar.com or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A.O. Smith Recalls Gas Water Heaters Due to Fire and Carbon Monoxide Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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: Natural and Propane Gas Water Heaters

Units: About 1,500

Manufacturer: A.O. Smith Water Products Co., of Ashland City, Tenn.

Hazard: The water heater’s flue gas temperatures can exceed safe limits and produce excessive temperatures in the venting unit, posing a fire hazard. Also, the water heater’s exhaust can leak into the surrounding room, posing a carbon monoxide hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves 75 gallon natural and propane gas water heaters. “A.O. Smith” or “State” is printed on the side of the unit. A.O. Smith and State model and serial numbers included in this recall are listed in the chart below. Model and serial numbers are printed on the water heater’s rating plate.

Brand Name – Model Number

• A.O. Smith - FCG-75 300
• A.O. Smith - FCG-75 301
• State - GS6 75 XRR S
• State - GS6 75 CRR S

Serial Number Ranges

• L07A071460 through L07A144966
• M07A009387 through M07A072884

Sold by: Independent contractors and plumbers nationwide from November 2007 through January 2008 for between $1,000 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water heater and contact A.O. Smith to arrange for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact A.O. Smith toll-free at (866) 880-4661 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hotwater.com

Imaginarium Activity Centers Sold at Toys “R” Us Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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: Imaginarium Multi-Sided Activity Centers and Jungle Activity Centers

Units: About 16,400

Importer/Retailer: Toys "R" Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J.

Manufacturer: Taizhou Orient Toys Company Ltd. (Multi-Sided Activity Centers), and Shanghai Cosmos Gift Industry Company Ltd. (Jungle Activity Centers), of Shanghai, China.

Hazard: Small parts on the toys can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Toys “R” Us has received 12 reports of small parts detaching from activity centers. No injuries have been reported.

Description and Models: This recall involves the Imaginarium Multi-Sided and Jungle activity centers. The multi-sided activity center has moveable block letters, clock face, sliding shapes and gears. The jungle activity centers have peg jumping monkeys, sliding fish, abacus beads, bead mazes and other animal-themed activities. “Imaginarium” and the name of the activity center are printed on the packaging. Item numbers 69042 (multi-sided) and 69083 (jungle) are printed on the back of the box, near the bar code.

Sold exclusively at: Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and www.toysrus.com from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $20 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the activity centers from children and return the toys to the nearest Toys “R” Us for a refund or store credit. Consumers can go to http://www.toysrus.com/safety/safetyFAQ.cfm for more information.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toys “R” Us at (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.toysrus.com

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.