Product Recall News - Kolcraft Secura infant car seats; Answer/Manitou BMX and Brunswick mountain bicycle forks; Healthtex and Little Impressions garments; "Little Ones" wooden accent lamps

Pediatrics for Parents, Sept, 1999

Infant Car Seats

Product: 754,000 Kolcraft Secura infant car seats model 36861 made between 1/1/93 and 1/30/99. The seat is part of a travel system that includes the car seat and a stroller base. The recall includes the following models: Infant Rider, Secura, Travel-About, Plus 4, Plus 5, Kolcraft Infant Restraint, Kolcraft Infant Car Seat, and Playskool Infant Car Seat.

Manufacturer: Kolcraft Manufacturing (877-776-2609)

Danger: The handle may suddenly release, possibly causing the infant to fall out of the carrier. This problem doesn't affect the effectiveness of the seat when used as car seat.

Consumer Action: Call for a free repair kit. Don't use the seat as a carrier until the repair is made. It is safe to use the seat as a car seat prior to making the repairs.

Bicycle Forks - Part I

Product: About 17,500 BMX and mountain bike forks that were sold separately and installed on bicycles. The forks have been installed on more than 30 models of bicycles and sold under the Answer and Manitou brand names. Either "ANSWER" or "MANITOU" is written on the side of the fork. Bicycle brands that were made with these forks include Specialized, Klein, Jamis, and Marin. Bicycle stores nationwide and mail order catalogs sold these forks and bikes from August, 1999 to May, 2000. The forks range in price from $245 to $685, the assembled bikes from $1,200 to $3,000.

Manufacturer: Answer Products, 800-423-0273

Danger: The tubes that attach the fork to the bicycle can fail, causing riders to lose control and fall.

Consumer Action: Stop riding the bicycle until you know if it is part of the recall. Contact the manufacturer to see if your bicycle fork is part of the recall. Or you can take the bicycle to an authorized Answer Products dealer for a free inspection and, if necessary, repair.

Bicycle Forks - Part II

Product: Ballistic front suspension forks installed on 13,500 Brunswick mountain bicycles sold between September, 1998 and May, 2000, for $125 to $150. The recalled forks were installed on Mongoose S-20 and MGX S-20 bicycles which are orange, and the red Roadmaster Ridge Rider bicycles. The forks are black with decals that read "BALLISTIC" and "105" on the sides of the suspension forks,

Manufacturer: Us International Co., Ltd.

Danger: The forks on these bicycles can break apart, causing riders to lose control and fall.

Consumer Action: Stop using these bicycles and call Brunswick Bicycles (877-211-3525) for information on receiving a free replacement fork and installation instructions.

Baby Garments

Product: Healthtex and Little Impressions one and two piece garments sizes newborn to 24 months. There are 58 different styles involved in this recall. All the garments have snaps for closing them. The garments have long sleeves and full crotch snaps and were for both boys and girls. The male portion of the snap can be identified by the name "SNAPET" stamped inside. The garments were sold in various colors and prints. The writing on the collar labels include "MADE IN THAILAND" and "100% Cotton." The garments were sold in many stores from May, 1999 through December, 1999 for $12 to $30.

Manufacturer: Healthtex Division of VF Playwear, 310 Rockingham Drive, Reidsville, NC 27320. 800-554-7637. To check the styles and style numbers, go to the company's web site at http://healthtex.com/ Pages/shop_recall_page 1.asp.

Danger: Snaps on these garments can detach, posing a choking hazard to babies.

Consumer Action: Stop using these garments and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange. Or the garments may be returned to the manufacturer.

Bedside Lamps

Product: "Little Ones" wooden accent lamps which come in six styles: airplane, alphabet letters (ABC), numbers (123), baseball with bat, train and sailboat. The lamps are 15 inches high and have a wooden base. Kmart sold the lamps from January 1993 through March 2000 for $13 to $15.

Manufacturer: Kmart, 800-63KMART

Danger: The lamps may short circuit and catch fire.

Consumer Action: Stop using the lamps and return them to Kmart for a refund.