Product recalls this week include jewelry, go-carts, play tents, drop-side cribs

Recalls this week: Jewelry, go-carts, play tents

Products that could put children and babies at risk highlight this week’s list of recalls.

Among the defective products were children’s jewelry containing the dangerous metal cadmium, and mini-bikes and go-carts with potentially faulty gas caps. Other recalls involve products that can present risks of strangulation: drop-side cribs, and small tents that clip onto portable play yards. Two years ago, a 2-year-old boy from Maine died after his neck became trapped while he was in a play yard with a tent on top.

Here are some of the recalled items this week:

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CHILDREN’S JEWELRY

DETAILS: Tween Brands Inc. of New Albany, Ohio announced a recall of 19 different styles of children’s metal necklaces, bracelets and earrings. They are made in the shape of hearts, butterflies, cupcakes, peace signs and crowns. Some of the Chinese-made pieces carry a version of the words “Best Friends Forever.” The pieces sold for $7-$16 from November 2008 through February at Justice and Limited Too stores, and also online at www.shopjustice.com.

WHY: The jewelry contains high levels of cadmium, a metal which is toxic if ingested by children, and can cause adverse health effects.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 137,000

FOR MORE: Call 800-934-4497 or visitwww.shopjustice.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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MINI BIKES AND GO-CARTS

DETAILS: Baja Motorsports recalled mini bikes and go-carts manufactured in China and imported by Phoenix-based Baja. The vehicles were sold by various mini bike and go-cart retailers nationwide, as well as online at costco.com, Amazon.com, toysrus.com, northerntool.com, sears.com and kmart.com.

WHY: The gas caps on the vehicles can leak or detach, posing a fire hazard. Also, the throttles can get stuck, allowing the mini bikes and go-carts to unexpectedly accelerate.

INCIDENTS: Baja Motorsports received nine reports of leaking or detached gas caps, including one that led to a serious burn injury to a child. The company has also received 25 reports of stuck throttles, including multiple reports of injuries to the face and body.

HOW MANY: 308,000

FOR MORE: Call 888-863-2252 or visit www.cpsc.gov.

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PLAY TENT

DETAILS: Tots in Mind Inc., of Salem, N.H. recalled small tents that clip on to the top of portable play yards for babies and toddlers. The Cozy Indoor Outdoor Portable Playard Tents Plus Cabana Kits were sold by Walmart, Amazon.com and other stores specializing in products for babies and children.

WHY: A child can remove the clips that hold the portable Tots in Mind tents to the side of a play yard, creating a dangerous gap.

INCIDENTS: In 2008, a 2-year-old boy was found dead in Vinalhaven, Maine, with his neck became trapped between the frame and the metal rod at the tent’s base. The top of his tent was attached by both clips and pieces of nylon rope.

HOW MANY: About 20,000

FOR MORE: Call (800) 626-0339 or visit www.totsinmind.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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DROP-SIDE CRIBS

DETAILS: The recall involves all Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs regardless of model number. The cribs were sold exclusively through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, www.potterybarnkids.com, and at Pottery Barn Kids retail stores nationwide from January 1999 through March 2010.

WHY: The cribs could pose a suffocation or entrapment risk to young children if the drop-side rail on the crib detaches because of faulty hardware.

INCIDENTS: There have been 36 reports of drop-side rails that have malfunctioned or detached. Seven children suffered minor injuries when they fell out of the cribs or got their legs caught between the mattress and side rail.

HOW MANY:About 82,000

FOR MORE: Call (877) 804-3847 or visit www.potterybarnkids.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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SNOW BLOWERS

DETAILS: The Toro Co. of Bloomington, Minn., recalled Power Clear 180 single-stage snow blowers, manufactured in the United States.

The snow blowers were sold at Toro dealers and The Home Depot stores nationwide from November 2009 through May 2010

WHY: Fuel leaks can occur if the carburetor needle is exposed to ethanol in gasoline. This poses a risk of fires.

INCIDENTS: The company has received 2,200 reports of carburetor leaks. There have been no reports of fires or injuries.

HOW MANY: About 35,700

FOR MORE: Call 877-738-4440 or visit www.toro.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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TREE CLIMBING STICKS

DETAILS: Muddy Outdoors of Camdenton, Mo., is recalling tree climbing sticks. The Chinese-made sticks were sold by Muddy Outdoors online and over the phone, as well as other outdoor sports stores nationwide, from July 2009 through April 2010.

WHY: A flaw involving bolts on the climbing sticks can allow the retaining rope to detach and release the stick from the tree. This poses a fall hazard.

INCIDENTS: The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received two reports of broken bolts, but no reports of injuries

HOW MANY: 2,550

FOR MORE: Call 877-366-8339; visit www.gomuddy.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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BICYCLES AND BIKE FRAMES

DETAILS: The recall involves 2010 Redline Conquest Cyclocross bicycles and frame sets, manufactured in Taiwan and distributed by Seattle Bike Supply, of Kent, Wash. They were sold by specialty bike stores around the country between July 2009 and May 2010.

WHY: A flaw in the bicycle fork could cause the fork’s legs to separate from the crown, causing the rider to lose control.

INCIDENTS: The company has received five reports of fork cracks related to this problem.

HOW MANY: About 330

FOR MORE: Call 800-283-2453 or visit www.redlinebicycles.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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WIRE FEED WELDERS

DETAILS: Star Asia USA, doing business as Titan, of Kent, Wash., is recalling Vaper 90 amp flux wire feed welders, manufactured in China. The welders were sold by Pep Boys, Auto Zone and other auto parts and tool centers nationwide from October 2006 through March 2010.

WHY: A flaw puts users at a risk of burns.

INCIDENTS: None reported.

HOW MANY: About 9,000

FOR MORE: Call 800-386-0191 or visit www.cpsc.gov.