The CPSC has announced an Avon toy polar bear recall due to fire and burn hazards. The recalled toy bear are "Cozy Warming Polar Bears" distributed by Avon Products Inc., of New York, N.Y. The recall involves about 113,000 "Cozy Warming Polar Bears."

The warming pouch inside of the bear can overheat and ignite when heated in a microwave oven, posing a fire and burn hazard. Avon has received 41 reports of the warming polar bear overheating. 6 people have reported minor burns.

Here is a picture of the offending toy polar bear:

The "cozy" bear looks so innocent. Avon provided the following description of the recalled Avon polar bears:

The recalled white plush warming bear has a red hat and brown nose. It is about 17 inches long and comes with a buckwheat-filled pouch that is heated in a microwave oven and is inserted into an opening in the bear’s belly. “Avon Products” is printed on a white tag sewn onto the bear.

The recalled Avon polar bears were sold by Avon independent sales representatives and at www.avon.com from July 2007 through February 2008 for about $13 when sold alone, or as part of a gift set that sold for about $100. The recalled Avon polar bears were sold in China.

According to the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission), consumers should immediately stop using the recalled warming bear and return the buckwheat-filled pouch for a full refund.

We published this recall as a public service only. We are not taking cases involving this product unless there are serious burn injuries.

Labels: burn injuries, fire risk, personal injury

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) on a new mandatory standard to address residential upholstered furniture fires. The goal of the proposed standard is to prevent ignition or slow the spread and intensity of upholstered furniture fires. These fires cost the U.S. about $1.6 billion each year. CPSC staff estimates the proposed standard, once fully effective, would prevent an estimated 100 deaths and 130 injuries every year.

“We represent victims of upholstered furniture fires and welcome any new standards that will prevent injuries and save lives. We recently settled a case involving an upholstered furniture fire that started in an apartment. In that case, a mother and her young son died,” said Fred Pritzker, a partner at our lawfirm. “Although we obtained a settlement of almost $3,000,000 dollars, no amount could compensate the family for the loss of these lives.”

“Fires involving upholstered furniture are a leading cause of fire-related deaths in U.S. homes,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Stopping a furniture fire in its tracks or slowing its spread would buy consumers precious time to get out of their homes.”

Under the proposal, manufacturers could meet the performance standard by using smolder-resistant cover fabrics or interior fire resistant barriers to protect the furniture’s internal filling material which is the primary fuel in an upholstered furniture fire. The CPSC’s objective is to reduce the fire risk in upholstered furniture without requiring the use of fire retardant chemicals. Manufacturers will not be required to use chemicals to meet the proposed standard. In its environmental assessment, CPSC staff projects most manufacturers and importers would likely choose options that do not involve fire- retardants in fabrics or filling materials.

According to chairman Nord:
To contact PritzkerOlsen regarding a furniture fire, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.
Posted February 2008.

Labels: apartment fire, fire risk, fire-related deaths, upholstered furniture fire

AtHome America Inc., of Alsip, Illinois, has recalled about 6,300 four-wick decorative candles because they may be a fire hazard, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) AtHome America candle recall announcement. The candle’s wicks are in close proximity causing the candle to burn unevenly and faster than expected, posing a potential fire hazard. AtHome America has received one report of melted wax on a table. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

The recall involves four-inch, square-shaped candles with four wicks. The candles were sold in three styles: the Earth Hue Toasted Nutmeg and Spice candle, the Holiday Hue candle, and the Golden Metallic candle. The recalled candles were sold by AtHome America consultants from the 2007 Fall & Holiday Catalog from August 2007 through October 2007 for about $17. The candles were manufactured in Vietnam.

According to the CPSC recall announcement, consumers should stop using the candles immediately and contact their AtHome consultant for a full refund. The company has sent direct notices to sales consultants and candle owners.

PritzkerOlsen, a leading product liability law firm, is providing this information as a public service. Please do not contact our law firm about a case unless it involves serious personal injury. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's online consultation form (right). The firm has extensive experience with product liability and fire accident cases.

Read the U.S. CPSC recall announcement.

Posted December 2007.

Labels: apartment fire, candle recall, fire injury, fire risk, product liability, upholstered furniture fire

The CPSC has announced a Black & Decker Toaster Recall due to possible risk of fire. According to the CPSC, consumers should stop using and unplug the recalled Black & Decker toasters.

The toasters recalled are Black & Decker® brand Infrawave™ Toasters. The recalled two-slice toaster is black with stainless steel trim and has a digital display below the toaster lever. The Black & Decker® brand name is on the top of the toaster. Model number ST2000 is printed on the rating plate on the bottom of the toaster.

Hazard: According to the CPSC, an electrical component in the toaster can overheat and ignite the circuit board, posing a fire hazard. Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Florida, the distributor of the toasters, has received two reports of the toasters igniting, including one report of fire that damaged a kitchen countertop and cabinets. There have been no reported injuries.

The recall involves about 70,000 Black & Decker toasters. The recalled toasters were sold at home improvement and discount department retailers nationwide from March 2007 through November 2007 for about $50.

If there has not been a fire or any smoke damage related to the recalled toasters, consumers should stop using the recalled toaster, unplug it immediately, and contact Applica to receive a refund. Pritzker | Olsen, a leading product liability law firm, recommends contacting a product liability lawyer immediately (and not Applica) if there has been a fire or any smoke damage related to a recalled toaster. PritzkerOlsen is posting this recall as a public service. The firm is not representing people who have sustained property damage that may be associated with this product.

Posted December 2007

Labels: fire risk, product liability lawyer