news and notes

There have been several consumer recalls over the past couple of days that may affect Deal Seeking Mom readers. Please refer to the links included in each section for more details about the specific recalls:

Musical Shaker Instrument

Woodstock Percussion Inc., of Shokan, N.Y. announced a voluntary recall of Gripper Shaker musical instrument because the handle can detach from the shaker, exposing a rough edge and posing a laceration hazard. The detached handle also exposes small steel pellets and a plastic plug which pose choking hazards. The shakers are plastic musical instruments, 5.5 inches long, with rounded, egg-shaped tops containing steel pellets and open circular handles. They come in blue and green and are sold separately. The marking “B4” is printed on the rounded top of each shaker. The recalled shakers were sold through mail-order catalogs, websites and retail stores nationwide between August 2010 and March 2011 for about $5.

Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact Woodstock Percussion Inc. to receive a $7 refund. For additional information, contact Woodstock Percussion, Inc. toll free at (866) 543-2848 anytime, via email or visit the firm’s website.

Other Recalls

• Beeni Baby Hats

• Elna Sewing Machines

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

There have been several consumer recalls over the past couple of days that may affect Deal Seeking Mom readers. Please refer to the links included in each section for more details about the specific recalls:

Bicycle Helmets

Bell Sports, of Scotts Valley, Calif. announced a voluntary recall of full-face bicycle helmets because the plastic buckle that connects the chin straps can fail, causing the helmet to come off the wearer’s head. This poses a head injury hazard to riders in the event of a fall. The recall involves Bell Exodus full-face helmets with a plastic buckle on the chinstrap and model and part numbers listed below. The helmets have an angled visor and were sold in youth size. The model and part number can be found on a removable sticker located on the side of the helmet. For a complete list of model and part numbers along with pictures, go here. The affected helmets were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and Amazon.com between August 2009 and March 2011 for between $50 and $60.

Consumers should stop using the helmets immediately and contact Bell Sports for a replacement or refund. For additional information call Bell Sports toll-free at (866) 892-6059 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, via email, or visit the firm’s website.

Model Helicopters

Horizon Hobby, Inc., of Champaign, Ill. announced a voluntary recall of Blade mCP X Bind-N Fly and Ready to Fly Remote Control Model Helicopters and replacement Blade mCP X Main Blade Grips with Bearings because the main blade grips and main rotor blades can release from the main rotor head, posing an impact and laceration hazard. For a detailed list of product names, sizes, model numbers and pictures, go here. The affected model helicopters were sold at retailers nationwide during March 2011 for $180 to $220 for the model helicopters and $10 for the replacement part.

Consumers should contact Horizon Hobby for free replacement of main rotor grips and do-it-yourself instructions. For additional information, contact Horizon Hobby Support Team toll-free at (877) 504-0233 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT on Saturdays, and between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays, or visit the firm’s website.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

There have been several consumer recalls over the past couple of days that may affect Deal Seeking Mom readers. Please refer to the links included in each section for more details about the specific recalls:

Pool and In-Ground Spa Drain Covers

Eight manufacturers announced a voluntary recall of pool and in-ground spa drain covers because they were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers. For a complete list of manufacturers, model information, dates sold, remedies and pictures, go here. The recalled drain covers were sold through professional pool and spa builders, and installers.

Pool owners/operators and consumers who have one of the recalled pool or spa drain covers should immediately contact the manufacturer to receive a replacement or retrofit, depending on their make and model.  For additional information, consumers should contact the Drain Cover Recall Hotline toll-free at (866) 478-3521 any time, or visit the Drain Cover Recall website. Consumers with drain covers from Waterway Plastics should contact the firm toll-free at (866) 719-6044 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, or visit the manufacturer’s website.

Other Pool Drain Cover Recalls

• MDX Pool and Spa Drain Covers

• Lawson Pool Drain Covers

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

There have been several consumer recalls over the past couple of days that may affect Deal Seeking Mom readers. Please refer to the links included in each section for more details about the specific recalls:

GE Food Processors

Walmart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark. announced a voluntary recall of GE-branded digital, 14-cup food processors because the safety interlock system on the recalled food processor can fail; allowing operation without the lid secured which poses a laceration hazard. In addition, the product can emit smoke, or catch fire, posing a fire hazard. The recalled food processors are black with a stainless steel trim, and model number 169203 is imprinted on the underside of the unit. The affected product was sold exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide and Walmart.com from September 2009 through February 2011 for a retail price of about $50.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled food processor and return the product to any Walmart for a full refund. For additional information, contact Walmart Customer Service toll free at (877) 207-0923 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website.

Yard Power Products

STIHL Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va. announced a voluntary recall of Gas powered STIHL trimmers, brushcutters, KombiMotors, hedge trimmers, edgers, clearing saws, pole pruners, and backpack blowers that utilize a toolless fuel cap because the level of ethanol and other fuel additives can distort the toolless fuel cap, allowing fuel to spill, posing a fire and burn hazard. For a complete list of Model Name, Description, Model Numbers, Serial Number and Pictures, go here. The recalled yard power products were sold at Authorized STIHL dealers nationwide from July 2002 through May 2011 for between $190 and $650.

Consumers should immediately stop using these products and return them to an authorized STIHL dealer for a free repair. Consumers can contact STIHL for instructions on identifying these toolless fuel caps. For additional information, contact STIHL toll-free at (800) 233-4729 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email, or visit the firm’s website.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Full-Size and Portable Drop-Side Cribs

Dream on Me, Inc. of Piscataway, N.J. announced a voluntary recall of full-size and portable drop-side cribs due to entrapment, suffocation, laceration, and fall hazards. Go here for a detailed description of the recalled cribs, and their hazards. The affected cribs were sold at Toys R Us, Walmart and Target stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com. The full-size cribs were sold from January 2006 to December 2009 for about $200. The portable cribs were sold from September 2007 to December 2009 for about $150.

Consumers should immediately stop using these cribs and contact the company for a free kit that will immobilize the drop side of the full-size cribs (kits will be available beginning June 30, 2011) or a free replacement portable crib with fixed sides (replacement cribs will be available in mid-July 2011). For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (877) 201-4317 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.