By Rita Colorito on May 18, 2012 in
Outdoor fun took a serious hit this week, and so did Wal-Mart, with a recall of Sportspower Trampolines, sold exclusively through the nation's largest retailer, because the netting can break, posing a fall hazard. Banzai Inflatable Pool Slides, sold through Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, were also recalled after a reported death, paralysis and severe neck injuries when the slide unexpectedly deflated while in use. In other news, 1.6 million folding step stools got the recall boot, after reports they can break and collapse unexpectedly. And Ford recalled several makes and model years.
In consumer product safety
Before you reach for that jar up high, make sure you're not standing on a 9-inch or 13-inch Kennedy Home Collection Folding Step Stool, 1.6 million of which were recalled by manufacturer Kennedy International Inc., because they can break and collapse unexpectedly. The firm has received at least 15 such incident reports, including three reports of injuries to consumers--two reports of back injuries and one report of a fractured leg. The recalled products were sold at HomeGoods, Marshalls, TJ Maxx and other retailers nationwide from January 2010 through January 2012. Consumers may contact Kennedy International at (855) 270-8301 to receive a full refund.
Sliding into pools can be loads of fun. But for several users of Banzai Inflatable Pool Slides, for use in in-ground pools, the product's failure led to life-changing injuries for two users and death for one 29-year-old Colorado mother. The slide partially deflated while in use, causing the users to smack their head or neck on the concrete beneath. The recall involves 21,000 of these slides sold at Walmart and Toys R Us.
And the safety nets on Sportspower BouncePro 14' Trampolines, 92,000 in all, sold exclusively at Wal-Mart from February 2009 to February 2012, aren't safe at all. They netting can break, posing a fall and injury hazard to children and other users.
In baby product safety
When in comes to protecting your baby and young tot, look out for these products:
- Kolcraft recalled 46,000 Tender Vibes & Light Vibes bassinets because the bassinet can detach from the metal frame, posing a fall hazard.
- And five retailers (Amazon.com; Bed, Bath and Beyond/Buy, Buy Baby; Burlington Coat Factory, Toys R Us and Wal-Mart) issued a voluntary recall and have agreed to stop selling Tots in Mind crib tents and play yards, after learning of 27 tent failures relayed to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, including one fatality and one catastrophic brain injury, both involving two-year-olds entrapped by the products. Tots in Mind is no longer in business and the retailers have agreed to refund consumers who own these cribs tents and play yards.
ConsumerSearch has you covered with reports for all your crib and play yard needs. Consult our reports on Baby Cribs, Portable Cribs and Play Yards.
In food safety
Nestle Purina Petcare recalled a single lot of Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management canned cat food, sold through veterinary clinics, because of low thiamine levels. Our cat food report offers alternatives for feeding Fluffy.
Hold the chorizo. More than 5,000 pounds of the spicy Mexican sausage was recalled by Euro Foods, Inc./Citterio USA Corp., because of undeclared soy allergen. The product was sold to retailers and wholesale distributors in Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee and Texas.
In auto safety
Ford has issued several recalls, including three recalls on Ford Windstar, 1998-2003 model years. In one of the Windstar recalls, 9,400 vehicles have rear axles that can crack. Two other Windstar recalls, are specific to vehicles sold or currently registered in Virginia, including 23,000 which may experience corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments; and 27,000 vehicles in which corrosion can weaken and crack the rear axle.
Ford also issued one recall that affects the:
- 2012 Expedition--a ConsumerSearch reviewed large SUV;
- 2011-2012 F-150 (the 2011 F-150 was a ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed pick up truck );
- 2012-2013 Mustang; and
- 2012 Lincoln Navigator--another ConsumerSearch reviewed large SUV.
For more Large SUV reviews, read our report. In 10,500 of these vehicles the transmission may not go into reverse, or when it's in reverse, the reverse signal may fail to illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the lack of signal. Ford will notify owners, with the safety recall expected to begin on or about June 25, 2012, and dealers will replace the TRSfree of charge. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at (866) 436-7332.
See Our Recommendations
