CPSC Says Deadly Products Are Still In Use Despite Warnings and Recalls

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2003
Release # 03-119

CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052

CPSC Says Deadly Products Are Still In Use Despite Warnings and Recalls;
Agency Releases "Most Hazardous" List and Urges Home Inspections

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Despite recall notices and warnings, consumers continue to use products that have the potential to seriously injure or kill, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC today unveiled a list of many common hazardous consumer products and urged consumers to use the list to check their homes and destroy or fix unsafe products.

"These products have previously received substantial attention because they were recalled or addressed by safety standards. But they continue to be used each year, leading to deaths, injuries, and property damage," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "These products may be in any home. They may be sold at yard sales or donated to charity or thrift shops. Some of them can be fixed, but most simply need to be destroyed," he said.

"We don't want to see deaths or serious injuries caused by previously recalled products or by products that don't meet current safety standards. We want to prevent these needless tragedies," said Stratton.

"Through recalls, safety standards, and consumer information, CPSC helps make American homes safer by taking hazardous products off the market and identifying those products that need to be fixed to be safe," Stratton said. He showcased the products on the "most hazardous" list at a news conference today at CPSC headquarters.

Consumers can view the current list of dangerous products below, or to receive the list by mail, they should send a postcard to "Recall Round-Up List," CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207. Consumers can also register to receive automatic announcements of all future CPSC recalls at the agency's Web site: https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx

Consumers can also view a video clip about some of the products covered by this year's Recall Round-up (standard version or a higher quality version - broadband connection recommended) (transcript) . This is in "streaming video" format.

Below are some of the hazardous products that consumers are most likely to find in their homes:

Old Power Tools that present an electrocution hazard. In a recent year, there were approximately 15 electrocution deaths associated with old power tools. Old electric power tools (made before the 1980s) may not have modern safety features to prevent electrocution. For example, old power tools were made with metal housings, while newer tools are made with plastic housings to provide double-insulation against electric shock. Old power tools also may not have proper grounding or may have frayed wires or other hazards. Discard old power tools. Do not give them to thrift stores or sell them at a yard sale.
Old Extension Cords that present a fire or shock hazard. Old extension cords, power strips and surge protectors may have undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components or improper grounding. Old extension cords may fail to meet current safety standards and can be overloaded easily. In a recent year, electrical cords and plugs were involved in about 5,200 fires resulting in 40 deaths. Look for cords with the label from an independent testing lab such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL. Use cords that have polarized plugs or grounded three-pronged plugs to reduce the risk of shock. Don't overload cords with too many appliances.
Window blind cords with loops loops that can strangle children. Window blinds may have pull cords that end in a loop or inner cords that can form a loop if pulled by children. Both can cause strangulation. CPSC knows of about 160 strangulation deaths to children in looped window covering cords since 1991. In 1994, CPSC worked with industry to provide a repair for old window blinds to eliminate the loops on the end of pull cords and to eliminate that looped cord on new blinds. In 2000, CPSC worked with industry to repair old blinds so that the inner cord can't form a loop if pulled by a young child. The industry also redesigned new blinds to address this hazard. Old window blinds with looped pull cords and inner cords that can be pulled to form a loop must be repaired. There are about 85 million units sold each year. The Window Covering Safety Council offers free repair kits that include small plastic attachments to prevent the inner cords from being pulled loose, and safety tassels for pre-1995 window blinds with outer pull cords ending in loops. Consumers should cut the loops and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord. Consumers who have vertical blinds, draperies or pleated shades with continuous loop cords should request special tie-downs to prevent strangulation in those window coverings. Call the Council at (800) 506-4636 or go to their web site: www.windowcoverings.org
Halogen torchiere floor lamps that can cause fires when combustibles such as drapes come too close to the bulb. These lamps need a wire or glass guard and a bulb that is 300 watts or less to help reduce the fire risk. More than 40 million halogen floor lamps made before 1997 by numerous firms were recalled because they have no guard to protect against fire. CPSC knows of 290 fires and 25 deaths since 1992 related to halogen torchiere floor lamps. People can get the free wire guards by sending a postcard to Attention Consumer Services, 18191 NW 68th Avenue, Miami, FL 33015.
Old cribs made before CPSC and industry safety standards can entrap, strangle, or suffocate children. Old cribs with more than 2-3/8 inches between crib slats; corner posts; or cut-outs on the headboard or footboard present suffocation and strangulation hazards. Cribs with missing or broken parts or cornerposts higher than 1/16 inch also present a risk of death. CPSC estimates there are about 30 deaths per year in cribs, many of which are older, used models. Destroy old cribs and those with missing or broken parts or cornerposts higher than 1/16 inch. Use only those cribs that meet current safety standards.
Cadet Heaters that could cause a fire. CPSC is aware of more than 320 reports of Cadet and Encore heaters (models FW, FX, LX, TK, Z, ZA, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW, and ZC) that smoked, sparked, caught fire, emitted flames, or ejected burning particles or molten materials. These incidents have allegedly resulted in four deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims exceeding $4.3 million. Due to Cadet's bankruptcy, the opportunity to obtain discounted heaters expired on February 17, 2002. CPSC strongly urges consumers to stop using these 1.9 million recalled Cadet and Encore heaters and replace them. In addition, some RM and ZM model heaters sold separately or provided as replacements for some of the previously recalled heaters can overheat and cause a fire. Cadet will arrange for a free service call for affected RM and ZM heaters. The Cadet recall hotline is 800-567-2613 or go to their web site: www.cadetco.com
Hairdryers without immersion protection devices to prevent electrocution. Since the early 1990s, hairdryers have had built-in shock protection devices to prevent electrocution if they fall into water. However, electrocutions from old hairdryers are still occasionally reported. Replace the old hairdryer with a new one with a large rectangular plug and the mark of a recognized testing laboratory.
Disposable and novelty lighters that are not child-resistant. CPSC set a standard (effective in 1994) requiring disposable and novelty lighters to be child-resistant. Since the standard took effect, there has been a 58 percent reduction in fires caused by children under age 5, representing the prevention of hundreds of deaths and injuries and thousands of fires. However, in a recent year there were still 2,400 fires resulting in 70 deaths and 480 injuries because of children under age 5 playing with lighters. Keep all cigarette lighters away from children and make sure all of your lighters are child-resistant.
Drawstrings around the neck on children's jackets and sweatshirts can catch and strangle children. In 1995, CPSC worked with industry to eliminate hood and neck drawstrings on kids' jackets and sweatshirts. CPSC knows of 23 deaths and 56 non-fatal incidents from January 1985 through November 2000. Pull out or cut all neck drawstrings on children's jackets and sweatshirts. Do not sell them at garage sales or give them to thrift stores. In 1998, CPSC found that many thrift stores were selling recalled, hazardous products, including children's jackets with drawstrings.

This news release is available in Spanish here or by calling Carla Coolman at (301) 504-7054.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Recall Round-up List: April 29, 2003

CPSC News Release	Product and Firm	Problem	Remedy
Safety Alert	Old Power Tools without double-insulation or proper grounding. Electric power tools made before the 1980s may not have modern safety features to prevent electrocution	Old power tools were made with metal housings, while newer tools are made with plastic housings to provide double-insulation against electric shock. Old power tools also may not have proper grounding. 15 electrocution deaths in a recent year associated with old power tools	Discard old power tools. Do not give them to thrift stores or sell them at yard sale. Always use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with a power tool to prevent electrocution.
99-069 02/24/99	Old Extension Cords, Power Strips, and Surge Protectors with undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components or improper grounding.	Faulty extension cords (with undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components or improper grounding) can cause fire, shock, and electrocution. In one year, CPSC estimated there were 5,200 fires resulting in 40 deaths associated with electrical cords and plugs.	Look for certification label from an independent testing lab (such as UL or ETL). Use cords that have polarized plugs or grounded three-pronged plugs to reduce risk of shock. Don't overload cords with too many appliances.
01-023 11/01/00	Old Window Blind Cords with Loops in which children can strangle	Old window blinds with pull cords and inner cords can form a loop and cause strangulation. Children can become entangled in the pull cords or the inner cords used to raise the slats of the blinds. 85 million units sold each year; about 160 strangulations since 1991.	Repair Call Window Covering Safety Council for free repair kit: 800-506-4636 www.windowcoverings.org
97-173 08/21/97	Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamps, all those manufactured before 02/05/97	Fire hazard when bulb ignites flammable materials. 40 million units; 290 fires; 25 deaths reported	In-home repair with free wire guard. Get wire guards by calling (800) 523-5702 x592 or sending postcard to: Attention Consumer Services 18191 NW 68th Ave. Miami, FL 33015
Safety Alert (pdf)	Old Cribs that have slats too far apart, corner posts, cut-outs in headboard or footboard, loose-fitting mattress, and missing hardware.	Infants can suffocate or strangle when they become trapped between broken crib parts or in cribs with older, unsafe designs. About 30 deaths per year in old cribs	Destroy. Get a crib that meets current safety standards.
03-030 11/04/02	Cadet Heaters (in-wall electric) that could cause a fire 1.9 million units Cadet and Encore models: FW, FX, LX, TK, Z, ZA, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW and ZC distributed primarily in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington from 1978 through 2000. Some RM and ZM model heaters also are involved. Some heaters sold in other states. Cadet Manufacturing Vancouver, WA	CPSC is aware of more than 320 reports of heaters that smoked, sparked, caught fire, emitted flames, or ejected burning particles or molten materials. These incidents have allegedly resulted in four deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims exceeding $4.3 million. Due to Cadet's bankruptcy, the opportunity to obtain discounted replacement heaters expired on February 17, 2002. Cadet will arrange for a free service call for affected RM and ZM heaters.	Check your heater to see if it is one of the recalled heaters. If it is, replace it. Call Cadet at (800) 567-2613. www.cadetco.com
Safety Alert	Hair Dryers without immersion protection devices to prevent electrocution.	Hair dryers without an immersion protection device present a risk of electrocution if submerged in water. Occasional reports of electrocutions from old hair dryers	Destroy Get a hair dryer with a large rectangular plug and the certification mark of a recognized testing laboratory.
Safety Alert	Disposable lighters that are not child-resistant as required by CPSC's safety standard (effective 1994). Since the standard took effect, there has been a 58% reduction in fires caused by children under age 5, representing the prevention of hundreds of deaths and injuries and thousands of fires.	In a recent year, there were 2,400 fires resulting in 70 deaths and 480 injuries because of children under age 5 playing with lighters.	Destroy old non-child-resistant disposable lighters. Keep all lighters away from children.
Guidelines (pdf)	Drawstrings around the neck on children's jackets and sweatshirts In 1995, CPSC worked with industry to eliminate hood and neck drawstrings on kids' jackets and sweatshirts.	Drawstrings around the neck of jackets and sweatshirts can catch and kill children. 23 deaths and 56 non-fatal incidents between 1985 and 2000	Pull out or cut all neck drawstrings on children's jackets and sweatshirts.

NOTE: Products listed above may have already been repaired or there may be similar products that do not have the identified problems. For assistance in identifying recalled products, call the manufacturer listed or the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Says Deadly Products Are Still In Use Despite Warnings and Recalls; Agency Releases "Most Hazardous" List and Urges Home Inspections

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Recall Round-up List: April 29, 2003

CPSC Says Deadly Products Are Still In Use Despite Warnings and Recalls;
Agency Releases "Most Hazardous" List and Urges Home Inspections