Washers Have Defective Parts; Trundle Beds Have Trap Hazard

The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks and serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.

As described, the CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard.

The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products, such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals, contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

In an effort to keep our readers informed, we will publish information obtained on products that have been recalled by the CPSC.

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Front load washers sold by General Electric were voluntarily recalled when it was discovered that a wire can break in the machine and make contact with a metal part on the washtub while the machine is operating posing fire and shock hazards to consumers.

About 181,000 of the items which were manufactured in China and sold between December 2006 and February 2010 for about $700 in various retail stores were recalled.

GE reported on seven incidents in which flames escaped the units and caused minor smoke damage, but no injuries were reported.

Consumers can call GE at 1-888- 345-4124 for information on what model numbers are included in the recall and for a free repair to the washer.

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Pirates of the Caribbean twin trundle beds distributed by Bayside Furnishings of San Diego, California have been voluntarily recalled.

The headboard has a storage bin that poses an entrapment hazard to young children. One report of a fouryear old boy whose head became entrapped in the opening of the storage bin prompted the recall.

The preassembled headboard has a brown wood base with decorative carvings, three open storage compartments, a storage bin and a mast.

The item was manufactured in China and sold exclusively at Costco stores nationwide from January 2006 through January 2010 for between $700 and $1400.

Consumers can contact the firm at 1-877-494-2536 to receive a free repair kit that will permanently close the headboard storage bin.

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Dritz Electric scissors have been voluntarily recalled by Prym Consumer USA, of Spartanburg, S.C. after it was noted that electric scissors can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

About 12,000 of the item, manufactured in China, and sold at craft stores nationwide from September 2009 through February 2010 for about $50 are described as white and blue, about 10” long and include an AC adaptor.

Consumers can contact Prym at 1- 800-255-7796 for information.

*** Beado handheld bead play toys imported by Rhino Toys of Santa Cruz, California have been recalled.

About 5,500 of the items, manufactured in China, and sold in specialty toy and juvenile retailers from March 2010 though May 2010 for about $12 were found to pose a hazard when the plastic wires detach from the hubs due to insufficient adhesive allowing the beads to slide off. The loose beads pose a choking hazard to young children.

The product measures six inches in diameter and is composed of four blue plastic “hubs” six white plastic “wires” and twelve multi-colored beads that slide along the wires.

Consumers can return the item to the s tore where it was purchased for a full refund or a replacement or call Rhino Toys a 1-877-887-4433 for additional information.

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