The year in recalls
In 2010, consumers saw the head of a car company issue an apology and were sickened by food products, including eggs and celery. They also learned that their children might be using hazardous strollers and cribs.
Here's how you can let the government know of any problems you have:
January recalls
Toyota, which announced a recall of 4.3 million vehicles in 2009 because of problems with floor mats, recalled 2.3 million more because of problems with accelerator pedals. It also suspended sales of eight models. Fatalities were reported.
February recalls
More than 500,000 drop-side cribs sold at stores including Buy Buy Baby, Kmart and Wal-Mart were recalled because they pose suffocation and strangulation hazards. Three deaths have been reported.
March recalls
About 1 million Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" infant slings were recalled because of a risk of suffocation. Three deaths have been reported.
About 65,000 Hitachi Koki coil nailers were recalled because faulty feed mechanisms could allow nails to be ejected sideways. Five people were partially blinded in 37 reports of sideways ejections.
April recalls
Toyota agreed to pay a $16.4 million fine over its response to the problem of sticking gas pedals.
All Simplicity full-size cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames were recalled because of entrapment, strangulation, suffocation and fall hazards. A 1-year-old reportedly died after he became trapped between the mattress and the frame and suffocated.
May recalls
About 1.8 million toy dart gun sets sold only at Family Dollar stores were recalled because of an aspiration hazard. Two deaths have been reported.
About 350,000 woven storage trunks were recalled after reports of the lids suddenly closing. One girl reportedly received a traumatic brain injury.
June recalls
About 40 Sprout Stuff infant ring slings were recalled because of a suffocation risk. On infant reportedly died.
About 3.4 million roller, Roman and roll-up blinds were recalled by Ikea because of a strangulation hazard. A 1-year-old girl reportedly became entangled and died.
July recalls
About 20,000 Tots in Mind Cozy Indoor Outdoor Portable Playard Tents were recalled because of a strangulation hazard. One child reportedly died.
August recalls
About 550 million shell eggs from Iowa farms were recalled because they were potentially contaminated with salmonella. At least 2,000 people reported that they had become ill after eating the eggs.
September recalls
About 192,000 random orbit sanders were recalled by Black and Decker because they might break or fall apart. One person reportedly had a serious facial laceration, and 14 others were injured from flying pieces.
October recalls
Sangar Fresh Cut Produce was shut down by the state of Texas after chopped celery was recalled. It has been linked to at least four deaths and several illnesses from listeria contamination.
November recalls
About 495,000 Roman shades and 28,500 roller/roll-up blinds were recalled by Hanover Direct because of a strangulation hazard. One child reportedly died.
December recalls
Drop-side cribs have been banned by the United States after at least 30 deaths and numerous injuries were reported over the years.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
What: Consumer products (toys, baby products, grills and more)
Call: (800) 638-2772
Food and Drug Administration
What: Foods, medicines, cosmetics and medical devices
Call: (301) 443-1240 (emergency); (800) 535-4555 (non-emergency)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What: Foodborne illnesses
Call: (800) 232-4636.
USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service
What: Meat, poultry or egg products
Call: (888) 674-6854
Posts
