Recall: RV Refrigerators – Dometic Corporation – Fire Hazard
Dometic has reported a safety related defect covering 745,574 two-door refrigerators manufactured between June 1, 2003 and September 30, 2006, with serial nos. 320xxxxx through 352xxxxx; 401xxxxx through 452xxxxx; 501xxxxx through 552xxxxx; and 601xxxxx through 639xxxxx, installed in certain recreational vehicles as original equipment and sold as replacement equipment. A fatigue crack may develop in the boiler tube which may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present. The release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire. Read more
Travel Warning: Burundi
This Travel Warning updates American citizens on security conditions in Burundi. American citizens should exercise caution while traveling in the country. The U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of its personnel in Burundi, and certain areas of the capital, Bujumbura, are off-limits. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Burundi dated December 10, 2007.
The Department of State continues to caution U.S. citizens traveling to Burundi. Burundi was plagued by a civil war from 1993 to 2006 that often involved non-government, non-combatant targets. In September 2006, the government and the last remaining hold-out rebel group from the peace process, the PALIPEHUTU–FNL, signed a cease-fire agreement. Many of the cease-fire provisions have not been implemented and the rebels still retain the capability to conduct indirect fire attacks on the capital. In April 2008 rebel forces engaged Burundian military units just outside of Bujumbura city limits. Rebels are still present throughout Bujumbura Rural, which surrounds the capital city. Read more
Recall: Baby Carrier – Beco Baby – Fall Hazard
Name of Product: Beco Baby Butterfly Carriers
Units: About 2,000
Manufacturer: Beco Baby Carrier Inc., of Newport Beach, Calif.
Hazard: The buckles on the carrier shoulder straps can unexpectedly release tension, causing the strap to slip through, posing a fall hazard to the baby.
Incidents/Injuries: Beco has received eight reports of the carrier straps slipping through the shoulder buckles. No injuries have been reported. Read more
Recall: Bicycle Resistance Trainers – Performance Inc. – Puncture Hazard
Name of Product: 2007 and 2008 Performance Travel Trac Trainers
Units: About 3,000
Importer: Performance Inc., of Chapel Hill, N.C.
Hazard: The springs in the resistance trainers can unhook and become a projectile, posing a puncture hazard to users or bystanders.
Incidents/Injuries: Performance has received three reports of springs releasing from the bike trainers. No injuries have been reported. Read more
Recall: Bicycle Resistance Trainers – Nashbar Direct Inc. – Puncture Hazard
Name of Product: 2008 Travel Trac Gravity Inertial Trainers
Units: About 200
Importer: Nashbar Direct Inc., of Canfield, Ohio
Hazard: The springs in the resistance trainers can unhook and become a projectile, posing a puncture hazard to users or bystanders.
Incidents/Injuries: Nashbar has received three reports of springs releasing from the bike trainers. No injuries have been reported. Read more
Travel Warning: Lebanon
This Travel Warning updates information on security threats and ongoing political tensions in Lebanon, and informs U.S. citizens of current safety and security concerns. The Department of State continues to strongly urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued on October 17, 2007.
The U.S. remains concerned about the threat of terrorist attacks against Western and Lebanese government interests in Lebanon. Groups such as Al-Qaeda and Jund al-Sham are present in Lebanon, and they have issued statements calling for attacks against Western interests. The Department of State is also concerned that the clashes between terrorist extremists and the Lebanese Armed Forces that occurred in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon from May to September 2007 could occur in other camps in Lebanon. U.S. citizens who visit refugee camps in Lebanon risk becoming trapped during hostilities. Read more
Lead Paint Recall: Key Chains – “Hip Charm” – Sold at Wal-Mart
Name of Product: "Hip Charm" Key Chains
Units: About 12,000
Distributor: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.
Importer: FGX International Inc., of Smithfield, R.I.
Hazard: The charms on the key chain can contain high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested and can cause adverse health effects.
Incidents/Injuries: The Illinois Attorney General informed Wal-Mart and CPSC on April 16, 2008, that the key chain was found in the home of a 9-month-old child who was discovered to have high blood-levels of lead. The child was observed mouthing this key chain. Read more
Vehicle Recall: 2008 BMW X5
BMW is recalling 55 MY 2008 X5 sport utility vehicles for problems with the rear axle stabilizer (anti-sway bar). These vehicles were equipped with a sports-suspension stabilizer rather than a standard suspension stabilizer on the rear axle. In certain driving conditions, such as fast lane changes at high speed, the vehicle could experience an 'over-steer' behavior affecting vehicle handling and control, which could increase the risk of a crash. Read more
Vehicle Recall: 2003 Honda Accord
Honda is recalling an undetermined quantity of MY 2003 Accord vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can result in corrosion inside the motor housing. This can cause a failure of the electrical circuit breaker inside the motor housing. If the circuit breaker fails, it will cause the windshield wiper motor to become inoperative, which can increase the likelihood of a crash in certain conditions. Read more
Lead Paint Recall: Western Rider Push Toys – Santa’s Toy Corp.
Name of Product: Western Rider Push Toys
Units: About 9,000
Importer: Santa’s Toy Corp., of Los Angeles, Calif.
Hazard: Surface paint on the glove, shirt, and pants of rider toy contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Read more