Product recalls are announcements regarding certain items that may contain dangerous defects, such as manufacturing errors or design flaws, that make them unsafe for consumer use. The Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a national product recall list to warn consumers about known defects. If you have a recalled product from the month of July 2020, read the manufacturing company’s recommended remedy. Contact a product liability lawyer if the defective product injured you.
Burn Hazards
Many different items, from grills and household appliances to electrical components, could contain defects that pose risks related to fires, explosions, burns and electrocutions. Detecting these defects and issuing a recall early could protect consumers from severe injuries.
- Miles Industries gas fireplace. A burn and laceration hazard led Miles Industries to recall about 370 of its Valor H5 gas fireplaces. Delayed ignition can cause gas to accumulate; ignition could then cause the glass to shatter.
- Willis Electric artificial Christmas tree. Sold exclusively at Home Depot, the Willis Electric artificial Christmas tree’s foot-pedal controller may overheat and pose a fire or burn injury risk.
- DownEast Outfitters folding mattress. A violation of the federal flammability standards for mattresses makes this item potentially dangerous for consumers in a fire.
- Cookware Company Greenpan SimmerLite Dutch oven. The lids on these Dutch ovens could explode while the item is in the oven, potentially causing burn and other injury risks to consumers.
Other products on the recall list due to potential fire hazards, burn injury risks and shock risks were the RH Riveted Mesh floor lamp (on/off footswitch can overheat) and the Lidl US Silvercrest bread maker (lid can become energized and shock users).
Child Hazards
A child’s safety is every parent’s top priority. Unfortunately, many products contain defects that pose health and safety threats to young children. Check July’s list of recalls carefully to make sure you are not harboring a dangerous product in your home.
- Poisoning hazards. Essential oil products from Bio Source, Bulk Apothecary, BioMed Balance, Miracle Botanicals, Ananda Apothecary, Nutraceutical, GloryBee, Edens Garden and Pranarom failed to meet the requirements for child-resistant packaging. These products could be toxic for children if swallowed.
- Choking and ingestion hazards. Children’s toys often make the recall list for choking hazards. July’s recalled toy with a choking hazard was the Manhattan Ball, which has plastic tubes that could detach. Another ingestion hazard on July’s recall list has to do with too much lead in its paint: this Boy Scouts of America activity pin.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning hazards. The Triangle Tube PT Series gas boiler (manufactured from 2011 to 2015) could leak carbon monoxide. One person has already died from this defective product. Children are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning than adults.
- Fall and entrapment hazards. Poorly designed or constructed items could fall and crush and/or entrap a child, causing serious or fatal injuries. Related recalls from July include the DaVinci Bailey bassinet and A Better You! Belecoo stroller. The Belecoo stroller also poses a strangulation hazard.
Most remedies from the manufacturers of defective products for children involve either returning or disposing of the dangerous item, along with full refunds and/or store credit. In some cases, the company will make a home visit to repair the item for free. COVID-19 may affect what remedies are available at this time.
Accident/Crash Hazards
Multiple ATVs make the recall list almost every month. This July, Polaris recalled its Model Year 2019 PRO XD 4000D ATV for an improperly manufactured clutch component. This defect could cause unexpected vehicle motion, potentially causing crashes. Polaris also recalled its Ranger and General Utility Vehicles as well as its Phoenix 200 ATVs due to throttle failures that can also cause the vehicles to accelerate suddenly. Finally, Polaris had to recall its 2015 RUSH snowmobile for a potential fire hazard related to a defective fuel hose.
If a product with known defects injures you, do not wait to contact a product liability lawyer. The manufacturer or distributor may owe you financial compensation for your damages.