In March, the Associated Press published a long list of products that have been recalled in the U.S. due to their being potentially dangerous or even lethal. On the list:
Glass knobs
More than 400,000 glass knobs for dressers, cabinets and small drawers, sold at Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide, can break while in use, posing a risk of laceration to users from the broken glass.
Pool slides
Fifteen reports of injuries caused by children falling off of Helix residential pool slides, prompted a recall for posing a fall hazard that can result in serious injury. The slides were sold at In The Swim, Leslies Swimming Pool Supply, SCP Distributors and other pool product distributors nationwide and at Amazon.com.
Baby jackets
The metal snap closures on the Starting Out Baby Girls 3-24 Months faux-fur hooded bear coat, sold at Dillard’s stores nationwide, can detach, posing a choking hazard to children.
Metal halide lamps
The outer bulbs of Philips Energy Advantage Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps model CDM330 can shatter, resulting in hot internal pieces of glass falling from the lamps, posing fire and laceration hazards. In addition to the current recall of approximately 256,000 units, about 87,000 units were previously recalled in 2016.
Off-highway recreational vehicles
The engines of some 2016 and 2017 Polaris models of creational off-road vehicles can misfire, and temperatures of the exhaust and nearby components can get too hot and cause components to melt and the vehicles to catch fire. A contaminated brake master cylinder may also cause unintended brake drag, posing burn and fire hazards.
Electric blowers
The plastic fans inside some models of One World Technologies’ Ryobi 8-amp electric jet fan blowers can break, causing the fan blades to be discharged from either end of the blower tube, posing a laceration hazard. One World received reports of 10,681 incidents.
Air handlers
Goodman air handler models installed in apartment and condominium units, used with heating and cooling systems to provide climate control, pose an electrical shock hazard to individuals servicing the units, because the pull-out disconnects may not disable power to the air handler.
Baby rattles
The clear plastic disc on the outside of certain models of Oball Rattles in pink, blue, green and orange can break, releasing small beads that pose a choking hazard to young children. The rattles were sold at Target, Walgreens, Walmart and other retailers nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Babyhaven.com, Diapers.com, ToysRUs.com, Walgreens.com and other online retailers.
Check on safety ratings whenever possible before making purchases, especially for use by small children. As any ancient Roman could have warned you, be careful when you shop! The famous Latin phrase “caveat emptor” (meaning “let the buyer beware”) still applies in our day. Although the buyer should beware, if you are injured by a defective product you may have a legal claim.
Craig Follis has extensive experience in litigation, negotiating and settling suits, and providing legal opinions on liability and insurance coverage. You can reach him at (888) 703-0109 or via email at cfollis@lawyersva.com.