This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on security threats and ongoing political violence in Lebanon, and informs U.S. citizens of current safety and security concerns. The Department of State urges that Americans avoid all travel to Lebanon and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued on April 21, 2008.

Violence broke out on May 7, 2008 in the capital, Beirut, when Hizballah militants blocked the road leading to Rafiq Hariri International Airport.  As of May 12, 2008, the airport remains inaccessible.

(more…)

Name of Product: Children's Rain Ponchos

Units: About 24

Importer: Daiso LLC, of Burlingame, Calif

Hazard: The garments have a drawstring through the hood, posing a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

(more…)

The Federal Trade Commission is urging consumers to be cautious of potential charity scams in connection with the devastating cyclone in Myanmar.  Scam artists may take advantage of this situation by creating bogus fund-raising operations.  The FTC has issued a Consumer Alert, the “FTC Charity Checklist,” which lists precautions consumers should take when donating to charities.  The alert, available at, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt114.shtm, advises consumers to be wary of appeals that tug at your heart strings, especially pleas involving current events.

(more…)

An operation that offered “free trials” of its herbal products, including smoking cessation patches, has agreed to halt its allegedly deceptive practices, pending trial. The Federal Trade Commission sued, alleging that the trials weren’t free, the patches didn’t work as claimed, and the operation was illegally debiting consumers’ bank accounts without their authorization. The defendants have now agreed to abide by a federal court order that bars them from making deceptive claims, restricts their ability to dissipate assets, requires them to preserve records and other evidence, and account for the money they made from their venture.

According to the FTC, NextClick Media operates several Web sites that offer “free” 10- day trials for their products, including herbal stop-smoking patches called “Nicocure,” “Stop Smoking 180,” and “Zero Nicotine.” They advertise that consumers will only pay for shipping and handling with ads in large type that say “FREE 10-Day Supply plus shipping and handling,” and “TRY IT FREE.” Consumers who want to try the “free trial” provide a credit or debit card to pay for the shipping charge. But, the FTC alleges, the trials weren’t free. Consumers weren’t sent a 10-day trial size package. They were sent a 30-day supply and had to pay for all 30 days of product if they chose to keep it. Consumers who chose to return the unused product paid postage and were assessed a $7.95 restocking fee, neither of which was disclosed adequately by the sites.

(more…)

EVENFLO IS RECALLING 1,038 DISCOVERY INFANT CHILD RESTRAINTS, MODELS 3021769Z AND 3021854Z, MANUFACTURED ON FEBRUARY 4, 2008. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING VARIABILITY, SOME UNITS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT COMPLETE ASSEMBLY OF THE RELEASE HANDLE LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT.

(more…)

Name of Product: Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmers

Units: About 5,000

Manufacturer: Munchkin Inc., of North Hills, Calif.

Hazard: The bottle and food warmers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Munchkin has received nine reports of units overheating, several of which ignited, causing damage to countertops. No injuries have been reported.

(more…)

Name of Product: Model Year 2008 Honda TRX500 ATVs

Units: About 1,400

Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Co. Inc., of Torrance, Calif.

Hazard: The electric power steering shaft of the recalled ATVs could break unexpectedly, resulting in the rider’s losing steering control. This poses a risk of injury or death to riders.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.

(more…)

Name of Product: Master Craft® Pressure Washers

Units: About 1,900

Importer: Fingerhut Direct Marketing, of Eden Prairie, Minn.

Hazard: The motor on the pressure washer can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Fingerhut has received four reports of smoke coming from the unit, including one report of fire. No injuries have been reported.

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)