Kentucky Dangerous and Defective Products Attorney: Recent Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls
Dangerous and defective products are responsible for many injuries and death in Kentucky and nationwide. Our profession calls this area of law products liability. Responsible parties can include designers, manufacturers and retailers of a dangerous and defective product. The United States government's Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) serves as a watchdog over industries for the products they design, manufacture and market to the public.
The CPSC, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products on December 22, 2009. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed:
1. Diving Equipment Recalled by Dive Rite Due to Drowning Hazard
Name of Product: Dive Rite Wings
Units: About 16,000
Manufacturer: Lamartek Inc., dba Dive Rite of, Lake City, Fla.
Hazard: The over pressure valve springs in the diving equipment could rust and fail allowing the buoyancy compensator devices to leak, posing a drowning hazard to divers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The Dive Rite Wings affected in this recall include the following models: Travel, Venture, Rec, Trek, Classic, Nomad and Super Wings. The wings were sold in red, blue or black. Springs were used on wings that have an opaque white or blue tinted bladder and welded in flanges. Wings with a black bladder are not affected. Only the Dive Rite wings that have a serial number range from 42000 through 72000 are affected by this recall. The serial numbers can be found on a white tag attached along a seam of the wing.
Sold at: Diving equipment retailers and distributors nationwide from June 2006 through October 2008 for about $359.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using recalled diving equipment and return it to an authorized distributor or dealer for a free replacement of the overpressure valve spring.
2. Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves for Large Water Heaters Recalled by Watts Regulator Due to Rupture and Burn Hazards
Name of Product: One-inch 140X-9 Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves
Units: About 900
Manufacturer: Watts Regulator Co., of North Andover, Mass.
Hazard: The relief valve can fail to reduce pressure and avert failure or rupture of the water heater tank and associated valves, posing rupture and burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves the one-inch 140X-9 Temperature and Pressure Relief valves, which are typically used in large water heaters for commercial buildings or possibly for large homes. The valves bear item codes 0259844 (75 psi/210°F); 0259924 (100 psi/210°F); 0259708 (150 psi/210°F); 0259925 (125 psi/210°F); and 0259930 (150 psi/210°F). The affected date codes are 0641R through 0930R. The date code is printed after the model number "M15" on a green metal tag fastened to the pressure relief valve.
Sold by: Authorized distributors nationwide from October 2006 through July 2009 for between $250 and $280. The valves were typically sold as replacement parts for large water heaters used in commercial locations or possibly large homes.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Watts Regulator to schedule a free repair.
3. 5.11 Tactical® Knives Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard
Name of Product: Promotional Knife
Units: About 19,000
Importer: 5.11 Tactical®, of Modesto, Calif.
Manufacturer: Spanlink International Corp.
Hazard: The knife can fail to lock into its open position, posing a cutting hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: One minor cut was reported by a store employee.
Description: The recalled folding knives, Style No. 51041019, have a black handle with a pocket clip and are approximately five inches in length when closed and seven and three-quarters inches in length when the blade is open.
Sold at: The knives were given away as a free promotional item commencing in September 2009 and ending in December 2009.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the knives immediately and either return the knives to their local 5.11 Tactical retailer or contact 5.11 Tactical directly to arrange for the return and exchange of the knives for a substitute promotional item at no cost to them.
4. IKEA Recalls LEOPARD Highchairs Due to Fall and Choking Hazards
Name of Product: LEOPARD Highchairs
Units: About 600
Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa.
Hazard: The snap locks used to secure the seat to the frame can break and allow the seat and child to drop through the frame, posing a fall hazard to young children. Detached snap locks can pose a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: IKEA has received 11 reports worldwide of failing snap locks, including one report of a child falling through the frame and suffering bruised legs. In addition, the firm has one report of a child mouthing a detached snap lock. No incidents have been reported in the United States.
Description: This recall involves all colors of the LEOPARD highchairs sold as a seat and a frame individually. The seat and tray has an adhesive label affixed to the underside with the words LEOPARD and "Made in Italy," an eight-digit article number and a five-digit supplier number (19589).
Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from October 2009 through November 2009 for about $60. The frame sold for $40 and the seat for $20.
Manufactured in: Italy
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the highchairs and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.
