Recent Recalls & Safety Warnings for Consumers and Families
Every month, millions of products are recalled because something went wrong before they reached consumers. Sometimes the defect is complicated, while at other times, the danger is surprisingly simple: a candy container that can become a choking hazard, a bicycle helmet that fails to provide the protection federal standards require or children’s clothing that can catch fire too easily.
October’s recalls are another reminder that familiar products are not necessarily safe products.
Here are several recalls consumers and families should know about this month.
Ricky Joy Sour Crush Candy Bottles
Issue: More than 2.3 million Ricky Joy Sour Crush candy bottles have been recalled because of a choking hazard.
Hazard: The recalled candy presents a risk of serious injury or death from choking. What makes this recall particularly concerning is its scale. More than 2.3 million products means potentially millions of opportunities for a dangerous product to find its way into a child’s hands.
Recall/Alert: The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall in cooperation with the company. Consumers should stop using the recalled candy products and check the CPSC recall notice for identifying information.
Remedy: Consumers who have the recalled product should follow the company’s recall instructions and keep it away from children while arranging the recommended remedy.
Victgoal Bicycle Helmets
Issue: Victgoal bicycle helmets have been recalled because they violate the mandatory federal safety standard for bicycle helmets.
Hazard: A helmet is supposed to be the last line of defense between a rider’s head and the pavement. When a helmet does not meet required safety standards, the consequences can include serious head or brain injuries.
That is what makes recalls involving protective equipment different from many ordinary product recalls. Consumers buy the product specifically because they are relying upon it to reduce the severity of an injury.
Recall/Alert: The CPSC says the recalled Victgoal helmets pose a risk of serious injury or death from head injury and do not comply with the mandatory federal bicycle helmet standard.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helmets and follow the recall instructions provided by the CPSC and manufacturer.
Junkins DHASUWT Hair Dryer Brushes
Issue: Junkins has recalled DHASUWT hair dryer brushes because of electrocution, electric shock, smoking and fire hazards.
Hazard: Hair dryer brushes combine electricity, heat and a product commonly used near sinks, bathrooms and other sources of water. That makes compliance with electrical safety requirements especially important.
The CPSC says these products violate federal regulations and can expose consumers to serious injury or death from electrocution or electric shock. The products also present smoking and fire hazards.
Recall/Alert: Consumers with DHASUWT hair dryer brushes should check their product against the identifying information contained in the CPSC recall notice.
Remedy: Stop using recalled units immediately and follow the recall instructions for the appropriate remedy.
Sweet Cubby Children’s Loungewear Sets
Issue: Sweet Cubby children’s loungewear sets have been recalled because they violate the mandatory federal flammability standard for children’s sleepwear.
Hazard: Children’s sleepwear standards exist for a straightforward reason: clothing worn by children while sleeping should not expose them to an unreasonable risk of serious burns.
The CPSC says the recalled loungewear presents a risk of serious injury or death from burns.
Recall/Alert: Parents and caregivers should check Sweet Cubby children’s loungewear in their homes against the products identified in the recall.
Remedy: Children should stop wearing the recalled clothing. Consumers should follow the company’s recall instructions for the available remedy.
SQT Lontcs Busy Boards
Issue: SQT has recalled Lontcs busy boards because they contain paint that violates the federal lead paint ban.
Hazard: Busy boards are designed specifically for young children to touch, manipulate and explore. That makes the presence of lead particularly troubling.
Lead exposure can cause serious health effects, especially in children. Unlike a broken toy or an obvious sharp edge, exposure may occur without a parent immediately realizing there is a problem.
Recall/Alert: The CPSC says the recalled busy boards pose a risk of serious injury from lead poisoning and violate the federal lead paint ban.
Remedy: Parents and caregivers should immediately take recalled busy boards away from children and follow the recall instructions provided by the company and CPSC.
Wantefully Hair Dryer Brushes
Issue: Guang Zhou has recalled Wantefully hair dryer brushes because of electrocution, electric shock and burn hazards.
Hazard: The recalled products violate federal regulations and can expose consumers to serious injury or death. As with the DHASUWT recall this month, the danger is particularly significant because these are electrical personal-care products that may routinely be used in bathrooms.
Recall/Alert: Consumers should check Wantefully hair dryer brushes against the product information contained in the CPSC recall.
Remedy: Stop using recalled brushes immediately and follow the manufacturer’s recall instructions.
Prepared Hero Fire Spray Canisters
Issue: Prepared Hero fire spray canisters have been recalled because they can create fire and burn hazards.
Hazard: Few products carry a more important promise than something purchased to help a consumer respond to a fire.
A defect in an emergency product can create a particularly dangerous situation because the consumer may not discover the problem until the moment the product is needed most. The CPSC says the recalled fire spray canisters pose a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burns.
Recall/Alert: Consumers who own Prepared Hero fire spray canisters should check them against the products identified in the recall.
Remedy: Do not rely on a recalled canister for fire protection. Follow the CPSC and manufacturer’s instructions regarding the recalled product and its remedy.
What’s The Bigger Picture
There is a common thread running through several of October’s recalls.
A bicycle helmet is purchased to protect someone’s head. Children’s sleepwear is subject to federal standards because children deserve protection from preventable burn injuries. A fire spray is purchased specifically for an emergency. Hair-care appliances are governed by electrical safety requirements because consumers reasonably expect them to operate without exposing them to electrocution.
These are not obscure expectations.
They are some of the most basic promises a product makes to the person buying it.
And when millions of products can enter homes before a defect is identified, recalls become more than notices buried on a government website. They are an important part of protecting families from dangers they may have had no reason to suspect.
Stay Safe and Informed
At Fulginiti Law, we believe consumers deserve products that are properly designed, manufactured, tested and accompanied by appropriate warnings before they reach store shelves or arrive at someone’s front door.
If you own any of the products discussed in this month’s Recall Field Report, stop using the recalled item as directed and review the complete recall notice at the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for product identification, remedy and contact information.
And if you or a family member has been seriously injured by a defective or dangerous consumer product, Fulginiti Law is available to help you understand what happened and what options may be available.
For the latest product recalls and safety alerts, visit CPSC.gov.
Related reading: Fulginiti Law Highlights Taylor Farms Lettuce Recall in Latest Recall Field Report, Urges Consumers to Take Food Safety Warnings Seriously
