Product Recall News - First Alert True Fit child safety gate model CSSG1; Shapes … Safari … No.9536-12 puzzle from Safari Ltd.; Geoby Two Ways Tandem Strollers from Cosco; Peg Perego USA Inc. children's riding vehicles; infant/toddle hat; carbon monoxide alarms from Kidde Safety

Pediatrics for Parents, July, 1999

Safety Gate

Product: First Alert True Fit child safety gates model CSSG1 white plastic gates with a gray handle sold since 10/96 for about $35.00. The expandable gate is pressure mounted, but it also can be mounted with screws. The recall affects all gates made by the company which no longer makes the product.

Manufacturer: First Alert (888-777-5599)

Danger: Plastic parts such as bumpers and hinges may break into small pieces. Children may choke on the pieces. The broken small pieces may also make the gate unstable.

Consumer Action: Call the manufacturer for a refund.

Toy Puzzles

Product: Over 10,000 toy puzzles sold nationwide from April 1998 through February 1999, for about $5.00. Each puzzle has 10 shapes; each with a colorful paper laminated veneer and a plastic knob handle. The name of each shape is printed on the underside of each piece. The puzzle is labeled "SHAPES ... SAFARI ... No.9536-12 ... 1997 SAFARI LTD." Inside the puzzle it states "Made in Taiwan, NO 9536-12 SHAPES"

Manufacturer: Safari, Ltd., Miami, FL (800-615-3111)

Danger: There are two small pieces that pose a choking hazard to young children. To date, there have no reported complaints or injuries involving these puzzles.

Consumer Action: Take the puzzles away from children. Contact the manufacturer between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, for instructions on either obtaining a refund or replacement.

Two Ways Tandem Strollers

Product: 57,000 Cosco Geoby Two Ways tandem strollers made from 2/97 through 2/98. The strollers were sold in mass merchandise and juvenile product stores. Model numbers 01-644 and 01-645 are affected by the recall.

Manufacturer: Cosco Geoby (800-221-6736)

Danger: The plastic locks on the folding mechanism may break, allowing the stroller to collapse. The child may be injured when falling out of the stroller. The child may also cut his arm or hand on the locking mechanism.

Consumer Action: Call the manufacturer for a free repair kit.

Children's Riding Vehicles

Product: 274,000 battery powered children's riding vehicles sold under various names and models including Corral 270, Diablo, Dragon, Gaucho, Gaucho Grande, Gaucho High Torque, Gaucho Sport, Magica, Magnum, Ranger GT, Thunderbolt, Thundercat, and Tornado. The toys were sold in toy stores and via retail catalogs nationwide from 1990 to 1997 for $100 to $550.

Manufacturer: Peg Perego USA Inc., of Fort Wayne, IN (888-893-7903) or www.perego.com

Danger: The pedals can stick, resulting in overheating of the electrical components resulting in fires. Thirty-five fires have been reported with one child suffering second-degree burns and $55,000 in property damage. Another child has suffered a concussion and six children bruises when the pedal stuck and the toy drove into a solid surface.

Consumer Action: Remove the batteries until the toy is repaired. Contact the manufacturer to order a free repair kit that can be installed by the consumer or by an authorized Peg Perego service center.

Infant/Toddler Hat

Product: 150,000 hats sold from 1985 to 1998 at many stores for $2.00 to $4.00. The acrylic knit hats are not identified by brand. All have a one-piece chin strap and come in various colors and styles. The inside tag reads, in part, "100 percent Acrylic ... Made in U.S.A. ... R.N. 36299" or "R.N. 82864."

Manufacturer: Not specified

Danger: The one-piece chin strap could strangle a child if it snags on playground equipment or other items.

Consumer Action: Cut the one-piece strap in half.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Product: 650,000 Nighthawk and 350,000 Lifesaver carbon monoxide alarms made by Kidde Safety. The alarms, made between November 8, 1998 and March 9, 1999. The date of manufacture is on the back of the unit as year, month, day.

Manufacturer: Kidde Safety, Mebane, N.C. (888-543-3346) or www.kidde.com

Danger: The alarms may either go off late or not go off at all when the carbon monoxide levels rise.

Consumer Action: Check out Kidde's website or call any day between 8 A.M. and 8 P.M. to determine if their alarm is involved in the recall. If so, the alarm will be tested and repaired if needed.