BICYCLE CARRIER SEATS
DETAILS: Topeak Babyseat II Bicycle Carrier Seats imported by Todson Inc., of North Attleboro, Mass.; sold at J&B Imports, REI, Action and Hawley, online and other retail stores nationwide from January 2009 through April 2012. The gray, plastic babyseats were sold in three styles: Babyseat, Babyseat with disc brake compatible rack and Babyseat with non-disc brake compatible rack. The racks are used to mount the seat to the bicycle. “Topeak” is embossed on the back of the seat and is also printed on a black foam protector that covers the grab bar. A red locking lever on the side of the blue grab bar locks the bar into place. The bicycle carrier seats were manufactured in Tawain.
WHY: A child can place his or her fingers in the opening at the grab bar’s hinge mechanism. When the consumer lifts the grab bar to remove the child from the seat, the child’s fingertips can be caught in the hinge mechanism, posing a laceration and fingertip amputation hazard to the child.
INCIDENTS: The firm has received two reports of incidents including near amputations that resulted in stitches and a crushed finger.
HOW MANY: About 40,000.
FOR MORE: Contact Todson at 800-250-3068 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT, or visit the firm’s website at http://store.todson.com .
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FOLDING CHAIRS
DETAILS: Folding Chairs imported by West Elm, a division of Williams-Sonoma Inc., of San Francisco, Calif.; sold exclusively at West Elm stores nationwide, the West Elm catalog and website from September 2011 to January 2012. The solid wood and fully assembled folding chairs were sold in white, red and chocolate. The chairs were sold individually and in sets of two and four. An unfolded chair measures 17-inches wide by 19-inches deep by 31-inches high. The chairs were manufactured in Malaysia.
WHY: The chairs can collapse during normal use, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
INCIDENTS: West Elm has received 14 reports of collapsed, broken or cracked chairs. Two consumers have reported minor injuries after falling from a collapsed chair, but medical attention was not required.
HOW MANY: About 10,000 in the U.S. and 100 in Canada.
FOR MORE: Contact West Elm at 855-262-9744 between 7 a.m. and midnight EDT, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.westelm.com .
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BICYCLES
DETAILS: 2010 through 2012 Model Year Bicycles imported by Public Bikes Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.; sold at Public Bikes & Gear in San Francisco, Public Bikes dealers in 16 states nationwide and publicbikes.com from April 2010 through January 2012. The recall involves 18 models of women’s and men’s bicycles that came in various colors and sizes. “Public” or “Publicbikes.com” is printed on either the bicycle chain guard or the rear fender. The word “Wellgo” is embossed on both the top and bottom of the pedals. The bicycles were manufactured in Taiwan.
WHY: The pedals can crack and break, posing a fall hazard to the rider.
INCIDENTS: Public Bikes has received 24 reports of pedals cracking. No injuries have been reported.
HOW MANY: About 4,100.
FOR MORE: Visit the firm’s website at http://www.publicbikes.com .
read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/product-recall-bicycle-carrier-seats-folding-chairs/2012/04/05/gIQAhU2cxS_story.html
them off or putting them in park under a rule proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The rule would also standardize engine shut-off procedures for moving and stationary vehicles. The Institute supports the proposal but is asking the agency to make the regulation slightly more stringent.
