Recall: Santorini Chairs – Sold at Cost Plus Stores – Fall Hazard
Name of Product: Santorini Chairs
Units: About 8,600
Manufacturer: Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, Calif.
Hazard: The seat weld can fail and allow the chair to collapse, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Cost Plus has received reports of four incidents involving weld failure. No injuries have been reported. Read more
Recall: Reebok Studio Exercise Cycles – Laceration Hazard
Name of Product: Reebok Studio Exercise Cycles
Units: About 20,000
Manufacturer: Fitness Associates Incorporated (F.A.I.), under license from Reebok International Ltd., of Canton, Mass. Note: F.A.I. is no longer in business.
Hazard: The alloy cranks on the exercise cycles can break during use, posing a laceration and abrasion hazard to users.
Incidents/Injuries: Reebok International Ltd. has received five reports of cranks breaking and causing lacerations. Three consumers required stitches. Read more
Travel Warning: Democratic Republic of the Congo
This Travel Warning clarifies the areas of eastern Congo affected by rebel activity, deletes information on Ebola, and adds information on aviation safety. Overall, the security situation in the country remains unchanged. This Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued January 8, 2008.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). Conditions within certain regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain dangerous. Official personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa are restricted from travel to the North Kivu area unless the travel is for official business and has been authorized by the Embassy. Read more
Recall: Dirt Devil Vacuum Power Brush Attachment Tools – Laceration Hazard
Name of Product: Dirt Devil Vacuum Power Brush Attachment Tools
Units: About 987,000
Manufacturer: TTI Floor Care North America, of Glenwillow, Ohio
Hazard: Plastic pieces inside the vacuum tool can break apart and be ejected, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: TTI Floor Care has received 140 reports of incidents involving the recalled vacuum tool, including 12 reports of injuries. Those consumers reported minor eye or skin injuries and one thumb injury. Read more
Recall: Walther Air Cylinders for Air Pistols – Champion’s Choice – Burst Hazard
Name of Product: Walther Air Cylinders for Air Pistols
Units: About 70
Distributor: Champion’s Choice, of La Vergne, Tenn.
Manufacturer: Carl Walther GmbH, Sportwaffen, of Germany
Hazard: The cylinders can burst when in use and/or while being filled, posing a risk of serious injury to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Walther has received one report where a cylinder burst while a consumer was refilling the cylinder, resulting in a minor hand injury. Read more
Recall: Amsterdam Bicycles – Electra Bicycle Company – Injury Risk
Name of Product: Amsterdam Bicycles
Units: About 9,500
Importer: Electra Bicycle Company, LLC of Vista, Calif.
Hazard: The interior alignment tabs of the bicycle’s chainguard can be pushed against the chain causing it to derail, which poses a risk of injury to riders.
Incidents/Injuries: Electra has received four reports of the chainguard derailing the chain, including one report of minor cuts and abrasion from a fall. Read more
Recall: Pacifiers – It’s My Binky Personalized Pacifiers – Choking Hazard
Name of Product: It’s My Binky’s Personalized Pacifiers
Units: About 115,000
Importer: It’s My Binky, of Henderson, Nev.
Hazard: The pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants.
Incidents/Injuries: It’s My Binky has received two reports of the pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple detaching. No injuries have been reported. Read more
Recall: Indoor Lighting Fixtures – Lithonia Lighting – Fire Hazard
Name of Product: Indoor Lighting Fixtures
Units: About 1,200
Manufacturer/Distributor: Lithonia Lighting, of Conyers, Ga.
Hazard: A thermal protector could be missing from the lighting fixtures, posing a risk of overheating and fire.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Read more
Recall: Cuddly Comfort Pillows – Sleep Innovations, Inc. – Metal Fragments
Name of Product: Cuddly Comfort Pillows
Units: About 120,000
Importer: Sleep Innovations Inc., of West Long Branch, N.J.
Hazard: The pillows can contain small metal fragments in the fiber-fill as a result of a mechanical breakdown in the manufacturing process. The metal fragments can cause abrasions and cuts to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported Read more
Travel Warning: Timor-Leste
This Travel Warning updates information regarding the security situation in Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor). The Department of State advises U.S. citizens of the continuing potential for violent civil unrest in Timor-Leste and urges U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Timor-Leste at this time. Americans currently in Timor-Leste should evaluate carefully their safety and security situation in light of this Travel Warning. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on February 15, 2008.
While politically-related civil unrest in Timor-Leste has diminished and security has improved, the potential for violence remains. Security conditions could deteriorate without warning, and foreigners may be specifically targeted. U.S. citizens should consider carefully the risks of travel to Timor-Leste. Those already in Timor-Leste should exercise caution, limit movements to the extent possible, and maintain a high level of security awareness while moving around in Dili; be alert to the potential for violence, and avoid demonstrations, large gatherings, and areas where disturbances have occurred. Demonstrations can occur anywhere, and especially at or near symbols and institutions of the Government of Timor-Leste, including government buildings and houses belonging to prominent politicians. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Read more