Bicycle helmets with straps that can break, remote control helicopters with a blade that can fly off, and a sewing machine with faulty wiring that can catch fire are among the consumer products recalled this week.
Here's a summary:
BICYCLE HELMETS
DETAILS: Bell Exodus full-face helmets imported by Bell Sports, of Scotts Valley, Calif., and sold at Walmart stores nationwide and Amazon.com between August 2009 and March 2011. The helmets were manufactured in Taiwan.
WHY: The plastic buckle that connects the chin straps can fail, causing the helmet to come off the rider's head. This poses a head injury hazard to riders in the event of a fall.
INCIDENTS: One report of a buckle failing during an accident, resulting in an injury that required stitches below the wearer's eye.
HOW MANY: About 31,100 in the U.S., and about 2,500 in Canada.
FOR MORE: Call 866-892-6059; visit www.bellsports.com .
REMOTE CONTROL MODEL HELICOPTER
DETAILS: Blade mCP X Bind-N Fly, and Ready to Fly Remote Control Model Helicopters and replacement Blade mCP X Main Blade Grips with Bearings; manufactured in China and sold by Horizon Hobby Inc. of Champaign, Ill.
WHY: The main blade grips and main rotor blades can release from the main rotor head, posing an impact and laceration hazard.
INCIDENTS: 312 reports of the rotor blades releasing from the rotor head, including 34 reports of a blade striking a user, resulting in 12 laceration injuries.
HOW MANY: About 16,600 in the U.S. and 1,300 in Canada sold at retailers during March 2011.
FOR MORE: Call 877-504-0233; visit www.bladehelis.com/MCPX .
ELNA SEWING MACHINES
DETAILS: Elna sewing machines imported by Janome America Inc. of Mahwah, N.J., and sold at sewing machine stores nationwide from September 2010 through April 2011.
WHY: The wires inside the sewing machine can short circuit, posing a risk of fire.
INCIDENTS: No injuries, but the firm knows of one report of a sewing machine catching fire.
HOW MANY: About 600.
FOR MORE: Call 800-631-0183; visit www.elnausa.com .
GRIPPER SHAKER MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
DETAILS: Gripper Shaker musical instruments imported by Woodstock Percussion Inc. of Shokan, N.Y., and sold at mail-order catalogs, websites and retail stores nationwide between August 2010 and March 2011 for about $5.
WHY: The handle can detach from the shaker, exposing a rough edge and posing a laceration hazard. The detached handle also exposes small steel pellets and a plastic plug which pose choking hazards.
INCIDENTS: No injuries, but the company knows of one report that the handles on two Gripper Shakers detached.
HOW MANY: About 9,400 in the U.S. and 700 in Canada.
FOR MORE: Call 866-543-2848; visit www.woodstockpercussion.com .