Menards has announced the recall of approximately 42,000 units of the MasterForce 3.6-volt Cordless Screwdriver due to a potential fire and burn hazard. The recall is effective immediately.

The Menards Company, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, imports the products from the Great Star Industry Co., of China. The screwdrivers were manufactured without any protective device on the lithium battery, creating the potential for overheating and fire during charging.

To date, three reports of fires have been received. Minor injuries, including burns to the hands and temporary hearing loss,  were also reported.

The recalled cordless screwdrivers are described as (more…)

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Accessory bags for children’s cosmetics have been recalled due to the presence of high levels of lead in the bag’s handle clasps.  These clasps pose a poisoning risk if swallowed.  It is reported that just under one million units (about 945,000) are part of this recall.  The bags were sold under the Bonne Bell name at retail stores nationwide and at Bonne Bell’s website from September 2007 through August 2008 for about $9.

Consumers can recognize the products by the name Bonne Bell Children’s Cosmetics Accessory Bags, as well as through the description below.  Please note that the cosmetic products sold inside of the bag are not part of this recall.  The products were originally manufactured in China.  To date, there have been no reports of injuries or incidents.  This is a voluntary recall.  Please refer to the following information for positive identification of these products: (more…)

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A voluntary recall has been issued for 12-cup Kenmore coffee makers, model numbers 100.80006, 100.81006, and 100.82006. Kenmore Elite models 100.90007 and 100.90006 are also included in the recall. This recall has been reported by the CPSC. Consumers are instructed to stop using these hazardous products immediately due to overheating risks and fire hazards. Products should be (more…)

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11,000 children’s swing sets, sold nationwide at Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us, have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The swing set negligent design recall has been prompted by more than 100 reports of parts breaking, putting a serious risk to the safety of children using the toy. The hazardous product recall was issued by Backyard Leisure LLC.

The wooden swing sets, which come in four different styles, come with a variety of swings, slides, and gliders for children to play on. In each of the reports, customers say that the hangers supporting glider chains have broken due to negligent design. This can cause a child to fall off the moving glider, and the chain may strike the child in the head after breaking from its hanger.

Faulty design or manufacture of the Chinese-produced swing sets put the safety of children at risk, particularly because gliders are elevated and often in motion at the time the defect causes a problem. Backyard Leisure is instructing consumers to remove the glider from the swing set so it cannot be used. The company is offering free replacement glider hangers, as well as instructions on how to repair the product. The four styles included in the recall are the pathfinder, Conqueror, Cedar Ridge and Windsor styles. For more information, read the original press release.

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Often, products are recalled when a tame item becomes dangerous. An appliance might be a fire hazard, a toy may be a strangulation hazard. But this week a product that can be dangerous when working properly–an air pistol–was recalled because a malfunction may make the product even more hazardous.
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From May 2004 to March 2006, athletic apparel giant Reebok gave charm bracelets as “free gifts” to accompany 300,000 pairs of children’s footwear. After swallowing the bracelet’s heart-shaped charm, a 4-year-old boy from Minneapolis suffered vomiting and seizures before he stopped breathing and died at a local hospital. Later, the bracelet was found to be in extreme violation of lead standards for children’s jewelry.
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