Recall Alert: Household Tools and Children's Toys - May 2007

Magnetix Magnetic Building Set Recall Expanded

Serious Injuries Continue to be Reported to CPSC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Additional serious injuries to children reported following the March 31, 2006 recall announcement of Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets have prompted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mega Brands America, Inc. (“Mega Brands”) (the new owner of Rose Art Industries, Inc.) to announce an expanded recall. In excess of 4 million units are involved. The recall includes all sets, except newer Magnetix sets sold since March 31, 2006, that are age-labeled 6+ and sets that contain the following caution label:

CAUTION: Do not ingest or inhale magnets. Attraction of magnets in the body may cause serious injury and require immediate medical care.

Mega Brands advises that sets currently at retail better retain magnets due to improved quality control, material and design changes. These products are not included in the recall.

To date, CPSC and Mega Brands are aware of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. Emergency surgical intervention was needed in all but one case. At least 1,500 incidents of magnets separating from the building pieces have been reported. Although the hazard was initially thought to be a problem primarily for children younger than six, it has since been learned that at least ten injuries involved children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old.

If a child swallows more than one tiny powerful magnet detached from the plastic building pieces or one such magnet and a metallic object, the objects can attract to each other inside the intestines and cause perforations and/or blockage, which can be fatal, if not treated immediately.

“CPSC is deeply concerned about the dangers that small, powerful magnets can pose to children if swallowed,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “In order for any product recall to be effective in protecting consumers, we must significantly reduce incidents and injuries from occurring after the recall is announced.” Mega Brands has been cooperative in this expanded recall.

These older sets, which were manufactured in China, contain up to 250 plastic building pieces and 1/2 inch diameter steel balls. The building pieces include 1-1/2 inch squares, 1 inch triangles, cylinder rods, flexors, connectors, x-tenders, and curves and come in an assortment of colors such as metallic, primary, translucent, and glow in the dark.

Mass merchants and other toy and arts and crafts stores sold the sets nationwide for between $20 and $60, depending on the size of the set.

Consumers should stop using the recalled magnetic sets immediately and contact Mega Brands for a comparable replacement toy. If consumers are uncertain as to whether their product is being recalled, they can contact Mega Brands at (800) 779-7122 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.megabrands.com.

The CPSC is urging consumers to immediately report any incidents of loose magnets to the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or to the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Sears Warns Consumers to Remove Label from Craftsman Circular Saws, Obstructed Blade Guard Poses Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a hazard warning of the following consumer product.

Name of product: Craftsman Circular Saws

Units: About 308,000

Retailer: Sears, of Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Manufacturer: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., of Charlotte, N.C.

Hazard: The “Craftsman” logo label located on the upper blade guard can become partially detached and interfere with the proper operation of the lower blade guard, exposing the saw’s blade and posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Sears has received two reports of the blade guard catching on the label with one incident resulting in an injury to the user that required 12 stitches.

Description: The recall involves a 7-1/4-inch circular saw. The model numbers included are: 172.108550, 172.108560, 172.108650, and 172.108660. The model number is located on the circular saw’s upper motor housing. Model numbers 172.108560 and 172.108650 have a gray body housing and a gray blade guard. Model numbers 172.108550 and 172.108660 have a black body housing and a gray blade guard. “Craftsman” is written on the label on the upper blade guard.

Sold at: Sears, Kmart, and Orchard Supply Hardware stores nationwide and online through these stores from November 2004 through February 2007 for between $40 and $60.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the Craftsman label from the upper blade guard, according to the instructions. Instructions are available online at www.Sears.com (under the Product Recalls page) or at OSH.com (under the Product Safety page), or by contacting Sears at the number below.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Sears at (800) 659-7026 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or go to their Web site at www.Sears.com.

Target Recalls Activity Cart Toys Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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: Little Tree Wood Activity Cart Toys

Units: About 18,500

Manufacturer: Hong Kong Toy Centre, of Hong Kong

Importer/Distributor: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The orange hubcaps on the wheel of the cart can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has reported seven incidents of the hubcaps detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Little Tree wooden activity cart toys. This is a multi-colored cart with an orange seat and a wooden tray. The cart has apple trees, a blue fence, and red, blue and green flowers painted on one side. The cart also has a wooden sheep, dog and horse affixed to that same side. The other side of the cart contains a board with multi-colored wooden magnets.

Sold by: Target stores nationwide from July 2006 through March 2007 and on www.target.com from October 2006 through February 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the toy away from children and return the item to any Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.target.com.

Disney Store Recalls Children’s Footed Pajamas Due to Burn 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: Baby Einstein Caterpillar Sleepwear and Baby Einstein Duck Sleepwear

Units: About 200

Retailer: Disney Stores North America, of Pasadena, Calif., which is owned, and under a licensing agreement operated, by a subsidiary of The Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. of Secaucus, N.J.

Hazard: This sleepwear fails to meet the children’s flammability standard, posing a risk of burn injury to children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves footed pajamas made of 100 percent cotton. The sleepwear was sold in two styles including green with blue sleeves which has a caterpillar design on the front, and yellow with orange sleeves which has a duck design and “Quack! Quack!” printed on the front and duck beaks on the feet. “Baby Einstein” is printed on the back of the sleepwear. “Disney Store” is printed on a tag inside the pajamas. Only sleepwear in sizes 12 months and 18 months is included in this recall. Sleepwear sold in sizes 3, 6 and 9 months is not included in this recall.

Sold exclusively at: Disney Stores nationwide from April 2006 through May 2006 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sleepwear and return it to any Disney Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Disney Store toll-free at (866) 902-2798 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

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.