The new year brings in recalls on products in a variety of categories. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued recalls on products like outdoor equipment, commercial products, children's products, and much more. In addition, the CPSC provided information on how to stay safe this winter heating the home and cooking.
Auto
General Motors recalled select 2011 models like the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Canyon, and more due to faulty rear axle cross pins. These pins were not heat treated to avoid the pin from breaking or coming loose. If this occurs, it could cause the rear axle to lock causing a driving hazard. Over 29,000 cars are affected by this recall. Customers should take car to the dealership for repair.
Saab recalled select 2010 and 2011 models in January because of faulty fuel pumps. Vehicles affected by this recall will be notified by Saab for a fuel pump replacement.
Home
180,000 White-Rodgers Heating and Cooling Thermostats were recalled in January due to a fire hazard. The programmable unit continuously charges the batteries inside which can cause them to leak. See recall notice for select models involved in recall.
A compressor short circuit in select GE and Professional Series Brand Dehumidifiers caused a recall this month. Around 198,000 units are potentially at risk for a fire hazard with this defect. Recalled models include the 30-pint and 40-pint dehumidifers sold between November 2006 through August 2007 and in August 2008.
Food
There were food recalls this month due to undeclared items in the product. Peanuts, milk, soy, and other items may have been used or food might have been processed in equipment where these ingredients were present. Brands such as Keebler, Kroger brand chocolate chips, Valu-Time potato chips, Sonny's Barbecue Deep Deveined Shrimp, and more were affected by this type of recall.
Lead was determined in Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge candy products resulting in a recall by Candy Dynamics. Recall notices have been sent out to direct consumers and no other Toxic Waste products are involved in this recall.
Baby/Children
More companies have issued drop-side crib recalls in light of the June 2011 drop-side crib ban. The Land of Nod has recalled the "Rosebud" Drop-Side Crib model due to suffocation risks because of faulty drop-side hardware.
Infant toys are a topic of concern this month. Sassy recalled 37,000 teethers because pieces of the toy can break off causing a choking hazard. Kid O recalled 1,500 rattles also because of a choking hazard. This product contains beads that can come out. Also, Discovery Toys issued a recall for a toy phone that can crack into pieces posing a choking hazard.
Outdoor Products
Arctic Cat recalled 16,500 Snow Mobiles in January. The suspension arm can crack on select 2010 models resulting in operator losing control. Consumers with one of these models should contact the nearest Arctic Cat dealer for a free repair.
Office/Commercial
Eco-Story has recalled 42,000 commercial-use LED Lamps due to a fire hazard. If these lamps are not used with a Class II Transformer, there is a potential for the lamp to overheat posing a fire risk. These lamps were sold between December 2007 through August 2010 to commercial locations such as restaurants.
For more January recalls, visit the CPSC website.
Resources:
"January 2011 Recalls". cpsc.gov
"Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts". fda.gov
"2011 Auto Recall". autorecalls.us