Name of product: Bicycle Handlebars

Units: About 2,000 in the United States and 70 in Canada

Importers: Euro Asia Imports, of La Crescenta, Calif., The Merry Sales Co., of South San Francisco, Calif. and Bicycle Technologies Intl., of Santa Fe, N.M.

Manufacturer: Nitto Co Ltd., of Japan

Hazard: The recalled bicycle handlebars can break while the user is riding the bike, resulting in loss of control and a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Two incidents of the handlebars breaking have been reported, including one involving a fall and a cut to the rider’s leg.

Description: This recall involves Nitto aluminum bicycle handlebars with model number B259AA. They were sold in the following colors: red, blue, black, gold, green, pink and silver. “NITTO” and “B259″ are printed at the end of the handlebars.

Sold by: Bicycle specialty stores and dealers nationwide from January 2008 through July 2011 for between $60 and $80.

Manufactured in: Japan
Remedy:  Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled handlebars and contact Euro Asia Imports to receive free replacement handlebars.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Euro Asia Imports toll-free at (888) 662-1814 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.euroasiaimports.com.

Name of product: Super Luchamania Action Figures

Units: About 7,000 packs

Importer/Distributor: Lee Carter Co., of San Francisco, Calif.

Hazard: The surface paints on the action figures contain excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: The recalled Mexican wrestling Super Luchamania action figures were sold in packs of 12.  The multi-colored action figures are plastic, have plastic capes and measure about four inches tall. “Super Luchamania” is printed on the action figures’ packaging.

Sold at: Various Mexican specialty craft stores nationwide from June 2000 through October 2011 for between $12 and $14 per pack.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled action figures away from children and return them to Lee Carter Co. for a full refund or credit towards a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers should call Lee Carter Co. collect at (415) 824-2004 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.leecartercompany.com.

The settlement resolves staff allegations that HP knowingly failed to report immediately to CPSC, as required by federal law, that certain lithium-ion battery packs contained a defect or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.  The lithium-ion battery packs can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.  The packs were shipped with new HP Notebook computers, sold as accessories or provided as spare parts for various HP models.

CPSC staff alleges that by September 2007, HP knew of about 22 incidents associated with the lithium-ion battery packs.  At least two of these incidents resulted in injuries to consumers.  HP also was aware that at least one consumer apparently went to the hospital.  HP did not receive any information on the consumer’s injuries or treatment, if any.  CPSC staff also alleges that between March 2007 and April 2007, HP conducted a study, from which it obtained additional information about the lithium-ion battery packs.

HP did not notify the Commission about the incidents or the study until July 25, 2008.  By that time, CPSC staff alleges that the firm was aware of at least 31 incidents involving the lithium-ion battery packs.

In October 2008, HP and CPSC announced a recall of about 32,000 lithium-ion battery packs.  HP sold notebook computers for between $700 and $3,000 that contained the lithium-ion battery packs, as did computer and electronics stores nationwide and various Web retailers.  Lithium-ion battery packs that were sold separately for use with the notebook computers retailed for between $100 and $160.

Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or fails to comply with any consumer product safety rule or any other rule, regulation, standard, or ban enforced by CPSC.

In agreeing to the settlement, HP denies CPSC staff allegations that the lithium-ion battery packs (or the notebooks with which the packs were used) could create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or that HP violated the reporting requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act.

Name of product: 2012 Model Year Giant Defy Advanced and Avail Advanced Bicycles

Units: About 900

Importer: Giant Bicycle, Inc., of Newbury Park, Calif.

Hazard: The fork can crack, posing a fall hazard to riders.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall involves all 2012 model year men’s Giant Defy Advanced 0, 1 and 2 model bicycles and the women’s Giant Avail Advanced 0, 1, and 2 model bicycles.  “Giant” and the model name are printed on the bicycle. The bicycles are various colors and sizes.

Sold by: Authorized Giant Bicycle dealers nationwide from August 2011 through November 2011 for between $3,000 and $4,550.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding the recalled bicycles and contact any authorized Giant Bicycle dealer for a free inspection and replacement of the fork.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Giant Bicycle toll-free at (866) 458-2555 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.giant-bicycles.com.

Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12088.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7800       

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

The US Drug Watchdog indicates symptoms of the recalled ASR DePuy hip implant failure include:

• Pain in the Hip Region
• Problems While Walking or The Inability to Walk
• Swelling of the Hip
• General Discomfort
• Lack of Flexibility

The US Drug Watchdog is the premier private pharmaceutical watchdog in the United States. The group says, “Tragically the Internet is loaded with misleading ads about ASR DePuy hip implant compensation, lawsuits, or class actions; unfortunately most of the attorneys or law firms advertising for help with the ASR DePuy hip implant failures are middlemen marketing law firms–not the actual trial law firms that will prosecute these cases.” They say, “We want to make certain all ASR DePuy hip implant victims get to the actual trial law firms or attorneys that have the best record in achieving superior results for their clients–period–no middleman marketing law firms, or attorneys.” For more information please contact the US Drug Watchdog anytime at 866-714-6466, or contact the group via its web site at http://USDrugWatchdog.com.

Name of product: Honeywell Surround Select Portable Electric Heaters

Units: About 19,000

Distributor: Kaz USA Inc., of Southborough, Mass.

Manufacturer: Ningbo SMAL Electrics Co. Ltd., of China

Hazard: The heater’s internal housing, including the fan, heating element and circuitry, can detach, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall includes Honeywell Surround Select Series portable electric heaters with model numbers HZ-420, HZ-430, and HZ-440 and five-digit date codes that have 11 as the last two digits. The heaters are black or white cylinders with a handle on top. The model number is stamped into the plastic on the bottom of the heater. The date code is located on the metal prongs of the heater’s electrical plug. “Honeywell” and “Surround Heat” are printed on the front of the heaters. This heater was distributed by Kaz USA under license from Honeywell.

Sold at: Best Buy, Meijer and Walmart stores nationwide from July 2011 through December 2011 for between $50 and $70.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the heaters and contact Kaz for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kaz at (800) 370-8137 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.kaz.com/recall.

Name of product: Tea Lights in Carruth Candleholder Collection Sets

Units: About 5,480

Importer: DD Traders Inc. d/b/a Demdaco, of Leawood, Kan.

Manufacturer: Tien Chi Art Co Ltd. of Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China

Hazard: The tea light can burn with an excessive flame height, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm is aware of one fire that resulted in minor property damage. There are no reports of injuries.

Description: The recalled tea lights were sold as part of the Carruth Candleholder Collection sets. The Carruth candleholder sets are resin votive candle holders with a glass insert that holds a tea light. The stock number is printed on a label on the bottom of the candleholders. The tea lights are white. The following eight models and stock numbers are included in this recall: Butterfly, 17708; Smile, 17709; Sun, 17710; Roots of Love, 17711; Sunflower, 17712; Hummingbird, 17713; Bunny, 17714; Friendship, 17715.

Sold by: Home decorating and gift stores nationwide from January 2010 to November 2011 for about $14.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the tea light candle and contact Demdaco for a free replacement tea light.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers should contact Demdaco toll-free at (888) 336-3226 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.demdaco.com.

Working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CPSC staff screened thousands of consumer products that were either in violation of U.S. standards or otherwise unsafe and stopped them from ever reaching store shelves.  The hard work of CPSC and CBP staff in 2010 and 2011 resulted in more than 6.5 million units of about 1,700 different children’s products being stopped at our nation’s ports, due to safety concerns or the failure to meet federal safety standards.

“Intercepting dangerous products as quickly and as early as possible, well before they make their way into the hands of children and other consumers, is consistent with our vision for CPSC to continue enhancing its protection of America’s families,” said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

The products stopped are wide-ranging. In addition to toys and other children’s products, items targeted at import include mattresses, art materials, household chemicals, lighters, fireworks, bike helmets and all-terrain vehicles. Some of the reasons they were stopped include violations of the standards for flammability, lead paint and lead content, phthalates and small parts.

Port surveillance is not new. Imported products have long been screened at the port by CPSC and CBP.  However, since its creation in 2008, CPSC’s import surveillance and inspection team, has steadily increased the size of its staff at some of the largest U.S. ports of entry, at CPSC’s headquarters and at a CBP operations center.

“The marketplace of imported consumer goods has expanded rapidly in recent years requiring CPSC to take an increasingly global view of consumer product safety,” said Carol Cave, Director of the Office of Import Surveillance and Inspection.

“In response to the lead in paint recalls in 2007, CPSC started to place investigators at key ports of entry full time,” Cave added. “Having CPSC staff who have the training and equipment necessary to identify non-complying products under CPSC jurisdiction at the ports has  improved coordination and cooperation with CBP and industry.”

According to Cave, working side by side at the ports has lead to more effective import enforcement by reducing exam times and increasing interagency communication. “We are working smarter,” adds Cave, “but, because of the large volume of products being imported that are under CPSC’s jurisdiction, it is critical that, as the agency moves forward, we systematically evaluate the risk of incoming shipments and expand the number of staff inspecting merchandise.”

Chairman Tenenbaum is announcing that the results of efforts at the ports will be published regularly in 2012 to inform and reassure consumers that CPSC is on the job working to keep consumers safe by detecting and detaining dangerous or violative imports before they reach store shelves.

“We want the American public to know that CPSC stands for safety and we are doing all we can to identify and stop unsafe products from being introduced to our marketplace, so that consumers will have fewer things to worry about,” Tenenbaum said.

Name of products: Bicycle helmets for children and youth

Units: About 30,400

Importer:  Triple Eight Distribution, Inc., of Port Washington, N.Y.

Hazard: Product testing demonstrated that these helmets do not comply with CPSC safety standards for impact resistance. Consumers could suffer impact head injuries in a fall.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled items are multi-purpose helmets also sold for use as bicycle helmets. Little Tricky helmets are marketed for children and youth, and feature a large Little Tricky logo on both sides of the helmet.  They come in one size and in black, white, pink and green. Triple Eight S/M EPS Liner helmets feature a hard black inner EPS foam liner and come in black, white, bone, blue and army green. Sector 9 S/M EPS Liner helmets feature the same EPS liner and come in gray, white, black, blue and green.  Both the Triple Eight and Sector 9 helmets have an interior label indicating the size “S/M” for small/medium and a manufacture date indicated as month/year (ex. APR/2011).  Only Triple Eight and Sector 9 size “S/M” EPS Liner helmets are affected.

Sold at: Bicycle and sports stores and other retailers nationwide and online from August 2006 through November 2011 for about$40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact Triple Eight for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Triple Eight toll free at (888) 548-8518 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.triple8.com.

Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12082.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.