That's What BP Said! 10 Recalls That Got Lost in the Shuffle
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Since BP began filling the Gulf of Mexico with oil in late April, many large manufacturers have announced major recalls that flew almost entirely under the radar.
While likely not thrilled with the oily environmental mess, these corporations were probably happy their product recalls didn't receive the usual consumer or media attention. For example, parents would normally have been up in arms over McDonald's distribution of heavy-metal-containing Shrek glasses. Instead, they just see seemed irritated the "Shrek 4" movie sucked.
It's hard to say whether this laxer attitude is due to horror over the oil spill or recall fatigue after Toyota's early 2010 debacle. Still, we think you should know about the following 10 products, including everything from flame-shooting clothes washers to kid-bonking pirate beds.
1. Kiwi Onesies and Rompers
Recall date: June 17
Number recalled: 450
Dates sold: March 2010 to May 2010
Reason for recall: Snaps can detach and pose a choking hazard.
Recall includes: Onesies sold in sizes 0 to 3 months up to 12 to 18 months. Rompers sold in sizes 0 to 3 months up to 18 to 24 months. "Kiwi Industries" is printed on a tag sewn into the inside of the collar.
Remedy: No injuries have yet been reported but if you've purchased these garments you're asked to stop using them and contact Kiwi Industries for an exchange.
For more information: Contact Kiwi Industries for a postage-free package to return the recalled garment.
Budget alternative: Diapers.com onesies with free shipping coupons are affordable and adorable. The kimona-style looks particularly easy for sliding on to slippery infants.
2. Regal Lager CYBEX 2.GO Infant Carriers
Recall date: June 17
Number recalled: 2,700 in U.S. and 400 in Canada
Dates sold: Aug. 2009 to April 2010
Reason for recall: Soulder strap slider buckles have been know to break, resulting in babies falliing out of the carriers.
Recall includes: CYBEX 2.GO infant carriers with CYBEX embroidered on the fabric covering at top of the head support and 2.GO printed on an orange tag near the head support. Sold in chili, indigo, purple and slate colors.
Remedy: Immediately stop using the recalled carriers and contact Regal Lager to receive a free replacement carrier.
For additional information: Contact Regal Lager at (866) 678-8940 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the Regal Lager recall website at or email the firm at info@regallager.com.
Budget alternative: The Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat in Breaker helps secure children weighing 20 to 65 pounds via a five-point harness. Baby Universe free shipping codes help keep costs down.
3. Target Cherokee and Circo Belts
Recall date: June 17
Number recalled: 105,150
Dates sold: Dec. 2008 to Dec. 2009
Reason for recall: The belt buckles have excessively high levels of lead and violated federal standards.
Recall includes: The Cherokee boys belts and Circo girls belts. The Cherokee belts are black and brown reversible belts with heavy stitching in sizes M-XL. The belts came in a pack of two with the numbers 202/08/0018, 202/08/0019 or 202/08/0020 embossed on the belt.
The girls Circo belts are pink and white with heart buckles in sizes XS-L. They were sold in a 2-pack with the numbers 202/05/0071, 202/05/0072, 202/05/0073 or 202/05/0074 listed on the product label attached to the inside of the belt.
Remedy: Return the belts to any Target store for a full refund.
For additional information: Contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the Target recall website.
Budget alternative: For boys, the J. Crew vintage reversible jeans belt is a classic. Girls will love the J Crew crushed-glitter belt in gold or silver. Both belt styles are eligible for J Crew free shipping coupons.
4. American Signature Entertainment Center
Recall date: June 16
Number recalled: 24,000
Dates sold: Oct. 2002 to Dec. 2009
Reason for recall: Shelves can detach and fall onto consumers when the entertainment centers are moved.
Recall includes: Model names "Arts and Crafts," "Vineyard Manor," "Lake Cottage," "Studio One," "West Indies" and "Plantation Cove" with fixed or adjustable shelves. Sold at Value City Furniture, Rooms Today and American Signature Furniture stores.
Remedy: American Signature Inc. is sending free repair kits to consumers who purchased the recalled entertainment centers.
For more information: If you don't receive the kits, contact American Signature at (877) 793-3423 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firms' website at vcf.com.
Budget alternative: Pottery Barn presently is offering reduced shipping on the Logan Small Media System with Bridge, an entertainment center that looks similar to American Signature's recalled model. Watch for Pottery Barn free shipping codes on other entertainment centers, furniture and home accessories.
5. IKEA Sultan Heidal Spring Mattresses
Recall date: June 13
Number recalled: 1,900
Dates sold: June 2007 to April 2010
Reason for recall: The mattresses pose a fire hazard because they don't meet federally mandatory, open-flame standards.
Recall includes: Sizes twin, full, queen and king with model numbers 0725 through 1014 stamped on mattress label.
Remedy: Stop using this mattress immediately! Contact IKEA for a full refund or replacement.
For more information: Contact your local IKEA store, call (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the IKEA recall website.
Budget alternative: Try a memory-foam mattress from Bedroom Furniture Mart and you'll never go back to a box spring. Free shipping codes allow you to enjoy such luxury without forking over a fortune. (Interesting fact: Memory foam was developed as a NASA project.)
6. IKEA Roman and Roll-Up Blinds
Recall date: June 10
Number recalled: More than 3.36 million
Dates sold: Jan. 1998 to June 2009
Reason for recall: Loose cords can cause strangulation
Recall includes: IKEA Roman and Roll-up blinds, as well as roller blinds that don't have a tension device attached to the bead chain. IKEA took action after the near strangulation of a toddler on a loose cord.
Remedy: Remove the blinds and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.
For more information: Contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime or at the IKEA website.
Budget alternative: You may not think of Overstock.com for window treatments but you'd be surprised at this online-merchant's selection. Save up to 80-percent off retail prices.
7. GE Front-Load Clothes Washers
Recall date: June 10
Number recalled: About 181,000
Dates sold: Dec. 2006 to May 2010
Reason for recall: A wire can break in the machine and make contact with a metal part on the washer, causing shock hazards and shooting flames.
Recall includes: Washers without auxiliary water heating and model numbers beginning with WBVH5.
Remedy: Put down that basket of clothes and back away from your washing machine.
For more information: Contact GE at (888) 345-4124 or at the GE recall website.
Budget alternative: GE Profile Laundry Pair from The Home Depot are front-loading clothes washers with Energy Star ratings at a reasonable price. Check for Home Depot free shipping coupons for home delivery.
8. Rhino Toys Bead Toy
Recall date: June 10
Number recalled: 5,500
Dates sold: March 2010 to May 2010
Reason for recall: Insufficient adhesive on the plastic wires allows the ball's hubs to detach and beads to slide off, posing a chocking hazard.
Recall includes: Beado hand-held play toy with model number 1501 and date code 02910 04323. It has four blue plastic "hubs," six white plastic "wires" and twelve multi-colored beads that slide along the wires.
Model numbers and date codes are printed on the bottom of the packaging and the date code is inside the blue hubs.
Remedy: Immediately stop using the toy and return it to the store where it was purchase for a full refund or a replacement Beado hand-held beaded toy.
For additional information: Call Rhino Toys toll-free at (877) 887-433 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT or visit the Rhino Toys website.
Budget alternative: The Edushape Space Links toy is a safe alternative available from Toys 'R Us for just $19.99. Have it delivered direct to your home with Toys R Us free shipping codes.
9. Bayside "Pirates of the Caribbean" Twin Trundle Beds
Recall date: June 8
Number recalled: 2,000
Dates sold: Jan. 2006 to Jan. 2010
Reason for recall: The headboard has a storage bin that poses an entrapment hazard to young children. The recall was launched when a 4-year-old boy sustained injuries when his head became entrapped in the storage-bin opening.
Recall includes: The Bayside youth bed has a pre-assembled headboard, brown wood base, decorative carvings, three open storage compartments, a storage bin and a mast. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" trademark is embossed on a metal plate inside the headboard.
The name and address of the manufacturer, model number, manufacture date and "Made in China" is printed on a label affixed to the inside of the mattress frame side rails.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the headboard storage bin and contact the firm to receive a free repair kit that will permanently close the headboard storage bin. The repair kits will be mailed to consumers in approximately four to six weeks.
For additional information: Call Bayside toll-free at (877) 494-2536 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT or visit the Bayside recall website.
Budget alternative: Instead of a pirate boat, how about a sail boat? Pottery Barn for Kids Speedboat II Trundle Bedroom Set was inspired by the classic luxury crafts of the 1940s and looks super cook with plank detailing reminiscent of classic teak boats. Check out Pottery Barn free shipping offers for home delivery.
10. Maytag Dishwashers
Recall date: June 3
Number recalled: 1.7 million
Dates sold: Feb. 2006 to April 2010
Reason for recall: Maytag got 12 reports of fires caused by dishwasher heating element failures
Recall includes: Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand dishwashers with plastic tubs and certain serial numbers. The affected dishwashers were manufactured with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels.
The brand name is printed on the front of the dishwasher. The model and serial numbers are printed on a label located inside the plastic tub on a tag near the left side of the door opening.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the related fuse or circuit breaker, inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire and contact Maytag to verify if their dishwasher is included in the recall.
If your dishwasher is included in the recall, either schedule a free in-home repair or receive a rebate following the purchase of certain new Maytag brand stainless-steel tub dishwashers.
Do not return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where your purchased it as merchants are not prepared to take the units back.
For additional information: Contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513 anytime, or visit Maytag.com.
Budget alternative: Sears has long been recognized for quality appliances, and their dishwashers are no exception. Consider taking this opportunity to upgrade to an Energy Star dishwasher. Don't forget to look for Sears free shipping coupons.
Photo by underminingme
