Recalls this week include riding toys, remote-controlled helicopters, children’s sweatshirts

Recalls this week: Riding toys, toy choppers

Two kinds of rider toys that have been sold for more than a decade were recalled this week after a problem came to light that can injure young children.

More than two dozen incidents have been reported, two of them requiring medical treatment.

In another recall, remote-controlled helicopters with flames shooting out of them might have seemed to provide a realistic war-games touch. They were not designed that way, however, and tens of thousands were recalled this week.

Here are details of this week’s recalls:

RIDING TOYS

DETAILS: The Push Around and Whisper Ride Buggies were made by Step2 Company of Streetsboro, Ohio and sold at major retailers and specialty stores from August 1999 through March 2010.

WHY: A pin attaching to the yellow knob on the handle of the buggy can loosen, causing the handle to detach from the buggy. This poses a serious risk of injury to young children.

INCIDENTS: The firm has received 28 reports of the handle detaching; two incidents required professional medical treatment and 26 resulted in minor scrapes and scratches.

HOW MANY: About 2.5 million.

FOR MORE: Call 866-860-1887 or visit www.step2.com.

REMOTE-CONTROLLED HELICOPTERS

DETAILS: The helicopters were made in China and distributed by Imagine Nation Books Ltd./Books Are Fun, of Boulder, Colo. The recall includes “Fly Dragonfly,” also called “Queen Bee,” remote-controlled choppers sold at book and gift fairs in schools, hospitals and office buildings nationwide from August 2009 through January 2010.

WHY: The rechargeable battery inside the helicopters can overheat, igniting the helicopter and posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

INCIDENTS: The company received nearly 50 reports of the helicopters overheating, including six reports of flames coming from the helicopters, and one report of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

HOW MANY: About 46,000.

FOR MORE: Call 800-917-0213 or visit www.booksarefun.com/helicopter.php or www.cpsc.gov.

PUMPKIN BUTTER

DETAILS: Amish Wedding Foods Inc. of Millersburg, Ohio, is recalling all lots of 9- 16- and 18-ounce pumpkin butter, as well as all lots of 16- and 18-ounce sweet potato butter. The pumpkin and sweet potato butters were sold under a variety of brands and were available in most states.

WHY: The items are recalled because of concerns over possible botulism contamination.

INCIDENTS: No illness has been reported.

FOR MORE: Call 330-674-9199.

BICYCLE FRAMES

DETAILS: The frames were made by Niner Bikes of North Hollywood, Calif., in Taiwan and sold at bicycle stores nationwide and overseas from March 2008 through September 2009.

WHY: A welding deficiency can cause the bicycle frames to crack along the welds of the front triangle of the bicycle. This can cause the rider to lose control and crash.

INCIDENTS: The company has received 53 reports of cracks along the welds while bicycles were in use. No injuries have been reported.

HOW MANY: About 750.

FOR MORE: Call 877-646-3792 or visit www.ninerbikes.com.

HOODED SWEATSHIRTS

DETAILS: The sweatshirts were made in China and imported by Junk Food Clothing Co. of Los Angeles. The recall includes all children’s pullover and zippered hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings sold under the Junk Food name. They were sold at department stores and retail outlets nationwide between June 2006 and August 2009.

WHY: The drawstring at the neck can pose a strangulation hazard to children.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 24,000.

FOR MORE: Call 877-458-5865 or visit www.cpsc.gov.

CHILDREN’S SWEATSHIRTS

DETAILS: The sweatshirts were made in Indonesia and imported by Tommy Hilfiger USA Inc. of New York. Included are Tommy Hilfiger-brand children’s sweatshirts that have N.Y.C. and Hilfiger College printed on the front. The sweatshirts were sold at Tommy Hilfiger retail stores nationwide and online from August 2009 through January 2010.

WHY: The sweatshirts fail to meet federal flammability standards for wearing apparel, posing a burn hazard.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 1,700 (400 in the U.S. and 1,300 in Canada).

FOR MORE: Call 800-866-6922 or visit www.cpsc.gov.

SNOWBOARD BOOT BINDINGS

DETAILS: The bindings were manufactured in China by Rome Snowboards Co. of Waterbury, Vt., and sold by snow sports retailers between September 2009 and December 2009.

WHY: The base plate can break at cold temperatures.

INCIDENTS: The company has received 14 reports of broken base plates but no reports of injuries.

HOW MANY: About 2,900 in the U.S. and 220 in Canada.

FOR MORE: Call 866-289-9990 or visit www.romesnowboards.com or www.cpsc.gov.

CHARM BRACELETS

DETAILS: Claire’s Boutiques Inc., of Hoffman Estates, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 19,000 “Best Friends” charm bracelet sets. The sets were manufactured by Dae Yeon Industries Corp. of China and sold exclusively at Claire’s stores nationwide from February 2009 through January 2010.

WHY: The heart lock charms attached to the bracelets contain high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by children and can cause adverse health effects.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 19,000.

FOR MORE: Call 866-859-9281 or visit www.claires.com.