Two large recalls were announced this week, involving more than 300,000 total units sold. The biggest is a recall of night lights that pose a risk of fire from a potential electrical short circuit in the light. The other big recall involves melamine cups and mugs that could break from the heat generated by a hot beverage. No injuries have been reported involving either product, but the recalls are noteworthy because of the large numbers involved.
A rundown of problematic products recalled this week:
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NIGHT LIGHTS
DETAILS: Three models of AmerTac night lights, imported by Saddle River, N.J.-based American Tack & Hardware Co. The plug-in night lights were manufactured in China and sold at hardware stores, home centers and lighting showrooms from March 2009 through October 2010. The lights are rectangular-shaped with front housings that are either white- or nickel-colored plastic, with four horizontal vents and a round light sensor above the top vent. The backs of the night lights are gray plastic with the AmerTac logo, the model number and the identification code "SY" printed on them. Only models with "SY" printed on them are being recalled. The recall affects Amerelle night lights with the model numbers 71190 or 71190A listed on the light, as well as Amertac and Everyday Basics model lights with those numbers.
WHY: An electrical short circuit in the night light can cause it to overheat, and smolder or melt. That could result in a fire or burns.
INCIDENTS: Twenty-five reports of the night lights smoking, burning, melting and charring. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 227,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-420-7511; visit www.recall-center.com or www.amertac.com
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CUPS AND MUGS
DETAILS: Food service beverage cups and mugs imported by Carlisle FoodService Products, of Oklahoma City, Okla. The cups and mugs are made from melamine resin, and were sold at distributor outlets and online between January 2011 and January 2012. The nine models of cups and mugs were sold in a variety of sizes from 7 to 16 ounces, and in the following colors: white, green, red, brown, black, ocean blue, sand, honey yellow, bone and sunset orange. The name "Carlisle OKC, OK" and model number are imprinted on the bottom, along with "Made in China" and "NSF."
WHY: The cups and mugs can break when exposed to hot liquids, so someone using a cup could suffer a burn injury.
INCIDENTS: Three reports of cups and mugs breaking, no injuries reported
HOW MANY: About 111,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-217-8859; visit www.carlislefsp.com/productsafety
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GRASS TRIMMERS
DETAILS: Honda grass trimmers distributed by American Honda Motor Company, of Torrance, Calif., and sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers nationwide and online from May 2006 to February 2012. The grass trimmer is gas-powered and has a red engine housing with the word "Honda" on the top front and a bicycle handlebar-style grip. A label on the shaft includes the words "Honda" and "HHT35S." The grass trimmers weremanufactured in the U.S.
WHY: The shaft can crack and cause the lower gear case and cutting attachment to detach, posing a laceration hazard to the operator and bystanders.
INCIDENTS: Eleven reports of broken or cracked shafts. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 14,000 in the U.S. and 3,600 in Canada.
FOR MORE: Call 888-888-3139; visit www.powerequipment.honda.com
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HAMMOCK STANDS
DETAILS: Standard and economy hammock stands sold under the Twin Oaks brand, and distributed by Twin Oaks, of Louisa, Va. The hammock stands were sold in the Twin Oaks catalog and website, and at craft fairs and independent retail stores nationwide from December 2007 through June 2011. The Chinese-made stands are made of steel pipes and sold in green and black. They're used with all Twin Oaks double and family-sized rope hammocks, as well as all Twin Oaks fabric hammocks.
WHY: The foot brackets used to support the hammock can crack and cause the stand to collapse. Someone using the hammock could fall to the ground.
INCIDENTS: Forty-three reports of cracked foot brackets, including several reports of consumers who fell to the ground when the foot brackets collapsed. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 2,300
FOR MORE: Call 800-688-8946; visit www.twinoakshammocks.com
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POCKET UTILITY KNIVES
DETAILS: Folding pocket utility knives manufactured by Greenlee Textron Inc., of Rockford, Ill. The Greenlee Hawk Bill knives were sold at distributors of professional tools and products nationwide from September through November 2011. The knives have a single curved 2.6-inch stainless steel blade and a 4-inch green and black plastic handle. The Greenlee name and logo are printed on the blade. The knives weremanufactured in China.
WHY: The blade-locking mechanism can fail, allowing the blade to fold inward toward the handle. Someone using the knife could suffer a cut.
INCIDENTS: One report of the blade lock failing. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 1,800
FOR MORE: Call 800-435-0786; visit www.greenlee.com
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CHILDREN'S PAJAMAS AND SLEEPWEAR
DETAILS: Children's pajamas and sleepwear imported by Papa Bear Loungeabouts of Los Angeles. The garments were sold at children's clothing and specialty retailers nationwide and online from January 2004 to December 2011. Styles include pajama sets with tops and bottoms, separate pajama pants and nightgowns sold in boys and girls sizes 0-6X and 7-14. A garment label with the name "Papa Bear Loungeabouts" and a picture of a bear is sewn into the center back neckline on the outside of the garments. The Chinese-made sleepwear is 100 percent cotton poplin or 100 percent cotton flannel and the different styles come in a variety of colors and novelty print designs. They include cows, Scotty dogs, hotrods, basketball, sports, vintage, rodeo, rock and roll, bling, ballerinas, popcorn and more.
WHY: The garments fail to meet federal flammability standards for children's sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injury to children.
INCIDENTS: None reported
HOW MANY: About 10,000
FOR MORE: Contact the retailer directly where the sleepwear was purchased: CCS Group, doing business as Pajamamania, at 866-472-5262, including Sleepyheads and Pajamaheaven, of Erlanger, Ky., or the company's websites www.sleepyheads.com and www.pajamamania.com ; Cotton Tots, Inc., doing business as Bright Beginnings and Bestdressed Kids, of Austin, Texas at 512-453-0433, or www.bestdressedkids.com ; Comfykid.com, of San Jose, Calif. at 877-479-9040, or www.comfykid.com ; My Baby Pajamas of Scottsdale, Ariz. at 480-330-6380, or www.mybabypajamas.com ; Pajama Co. of New Canaan, Conn. at 877-757-4386, or www.thepajamacompany.com ; and Zulily, Inc., of Seattle at 855-812-0945, or www.zulily.com