Recalls of the Week

We have some pretty big recalls this week. So here we go.
1. Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers: I remember when my younger son was an infant, strollers that you could jog with were becoming the big craze, what with the increased interest in fitness and health. Well, Baby Jogger is recalling about 41,000 of its City Mini Strollers because the restraint buckle to keep the child in can break or unlatch, which allows the child/infant to fall out. The recall involves both the single and the double strollers. The word “City Mini” is printed on the stroller. For a chart providing you the item numbers and date codes of the recalled strollers, see here. These strollers were sold between November 2007 through July 2009. If you have one of these strollers, stop using it immediately (although you can continue to jog, just not with your child in it) and contact Baby Jogger to get a free restraint buckle.
2. Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges: Frigidaire is recalling about 200,000 of it and Kenmore’s Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges because the surface heating elements can turn on by itself without being switched on, fail to turn off when switched off, or heat to different temperatures than you selected. This creates a potential for fire and burn problems. The recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. If you look here, it has the listing of the model and serial numbers involved in the recall. If you have one of these ranges, stop using it immediately and call Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair.
3. Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo Roman Shades Sold Exclusively at Target: These shades, which were sold only at Target and Target.com, are being recalled because a child could be strangled if he puts his neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or if a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his neck. The recall includes both the Thermal Sailcloth and Matchstick Bamboo roman shades. For additional information regarding the shades involved in this recall see here. If you have these shades, contact Victoria Classics, the importer of the shades and they will send you a free repair kit.
4. Roman Shades Sold Exclusively at Pottery Barn Kids: Another strangulation concern with shades, this one at a store that sells its products specifically for use in kids rooms. Pottery Barn Kids is recalling Roman Shades it has sold between January 2003 and May 2007 through either its website or catalog because again, a child can place his neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind and create a potential for strangulation. The recall involves all sizes and colors. For more information regarding the specific shades involved in the recall, see here. If you have these shades, stop using them and contact Pottery Barn Kids who will provide you with a merchandise card for the purchase value.
5. Maytag, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley Refrigerators: This is the expansion of a previous recall back in March 2009 adding another 46,000 units to this recall. I wrote about the previous recall here. These additional models are being recalled again for an electrical failure in the part that turns off the compressor, which can cause overheating and create a risk of fire. The refrigerators involved were sold between September 2000 and May 2004. For a complete listing of the model and serial numbers involved, see here. If you have one of these refrigerators, you should contact Maytag (where is that Maytag repairman when you need him) and they will send someone out for a free in-home repair.
Those are the most significant recalls of this past week. Remember to check up weekly with this blog to get the latest information on major recalls of consumer products and drugs. You can also subscribe above and have it come into your reader. Until next time, be careful out there.