Recalls

Nokia said Tuesday that about 46 million units of its BL-5C cell phone battery may be at risk of overheating, and is offering to replace them free of charge.
The Finnish phone manufacturer has several companies who produce the battery, and together they have shipped about 300 million units in total. This particular recall would target those produced by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006.

"While the occurrence in the BL-5C batteries produced by Matsushita in the time-period specified is very rare, for consumers wishing to do so, Nokia and Matsushita offer to replace any BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory," Nokia said in a statement.
During charging, a short circuit can occur which may pose an overheating risk. So far, about 100 separate incidents have been reported, although there were no serious injuries or property damage. About four dozen recently produced Nokia phone models use the battery.

No other battery models are affected by the recall, Nokia said.
Consumers can determine whether or not Matsushita manufactured their battery during the time period by looking for the battery identification number. Once they have found that number, Nokia asks that they visit a special Web site where they can enter the code to see if it is part of the recall.

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Mattel announced recalls Tuesday for 9 million more Chinese-made toys, including popular Barbie, Polly Pocket and “Cars” movie items, and warned that more could be ordered off store shelves because of lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed.

The recalls came nearly two weeks after Mattel Inc., the nation’s largest toy-maker, recalled 1.5 million Fisher-Price infant toys worldwide, which were also made in China, because of possible lead-paint hazards for children.

The government warned parents to make sure children are not playing with any of the recalled toys.

Nancy A. Nord, acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman, said no injuries had been reported with any of the products involved in Tuesday’s recalls. She said the recalls were intentionally broad to prevent injuries.

Several injuries had been reported in an earlier Polly Pocket recall last November. At least one U.S. child has died and 19 others have needed surgery since 2003 after swallowing magnets used in toys, the government said.

The recall announced Tuesday include about 9.3 million play sets that contain small, powerful magnets. Among the toys are Polly Pocket dolls and Barbie and Tanner play sets, along with Batman and OnePiece Triple Slash Zolo Roronoa action figures, and Doggie Day Care. Many of the magnetic toys are older and may have been purchased as early as 2003.

Also recalled Tuesday were 253,000 of Mattel’s die-cast cars modeled after “Sarge” in the cartoon movie “Cars” that contain lead paint.

“Another week, another recall of Chinese-made toys,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who suggested detaining and inspecting all Chinese toy imports for lead paint. “We can’t wait any longer for China to crack down on its lax safety standards. This needs to stop now before more children and more families are put at risk.”

NEW RECALL

List of model names and product numbers for the nearly 9 million Mattel Inc. toys involved in Tuesday's recall, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

B2632 Polly Pocket! Polly Place Hangin’ Out House
B3158 Polly Pocket! Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse
B3201 Polly Pocket! Spa Day
B7118 Polly Totally! Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner
G8605 Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik Boutique
H1537 Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset
H1538 Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset
H3211 Polly Pocket! Totally Zen Playset
55503 Polly Pocket! Happenin’ Pet Station
B2631 Polly Pocket! Polly Place Magnetic Additions Assortment
B3203 Polly Pocket! Activity Lunchbox
B3204 Polly Pocket! Activity Locker
B3207 Polly Pocket! Collectible Lip Gloss
B3209 Polly Pocket! Collectible Make Up Powder Puff
B3210 Polly Pocket! Dip N’ Dive Pool
B3396 Polly Pocket! Birthday Surprise
B7078 Polly Pocket! Dazzlin’ Pet Show Divine Dogs
B7082 Polly Pocket! Rick’s Magic Show
B7125 Polly Pocket! Sweet Treats
B7127 Polly Pocket! Birthday Mailbox
B7128 Polly Pocket! Stretch Polly Disco Lamp
B7129 Polly Pocket! Jewelry Box Purple
B8478 Polly Pocket! Polly Magnet Bus
B9521 Polly Pocket! Collectible Caboodle
B9522 Polly Pocket! Activity Lunch Box Pink
B9523 Polly Pocket! Activity Locker Orange
B9525 Polly Pocket! Polly Glitter Puff
B9578 Polly Pocket! Collectible Caboodle Purple
B9929 Polly Pocket! Fashion Boutique on the Go
C0504 Polly Pocket! Birthday Mailbox Pink
C0505 Polly Pocket! Jewelry Box Yellow
C1341 Polly Pocket! Disco Lamp
C1342 Polly Pocket! Disco Lamp Purple
G8602 Polly Pocket! Mermaid Stars
G8606 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Playset
G8612 Polly Pocket! Snow Cool Hotel
G8614 Polly Pocket! Quick Click House of Style Playset
G8615 Polly Pocket! Polly by Me Totally Beadiful
G8616 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Penthouse
H1553 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Movie Time Playset
J1659 Polly Pocket! Pollywood Limo-Scene Vehicle
J1661 Polly Pocket! Pollywood Dial A Style Lila
J1662 Polly Pocket! Pollywood Dial A Style Lea
J1670 Polly Pocket! Stick N’ Style
J1681 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Rockin’ Theme Park Playset
J1687 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Dress N’ Drive Lounge Playset
J1695 Pollyworld Theme Park Party Quick Click Doll and Fashion
J4169 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Polly Doll
J4170 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Crissy Doll
J4171 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Lea Doll
J4172 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Quick Click Shani Doll
J9305 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Costume Art Lea
J9306 Polly Pocket! Pollyworld Gift Shop Lila
J9648 Polly Pocket! Twirl and Swirl Beauty Case
J9965 Pollyworld Dial a Song Polly Fashions
J9966 Pollyworld Dial a Song Polly Fashions
K3460 Pollyworld Rockin’ Tour Bus
H1554 Polly Pocket! Quick Click Pool Party Playset
H1532 Doggie Day Care Coco
H1533 Doggie Day Care Sparley
G4461 Doggie Day Care Lula and Baby
G4462 Doggie Day Care Crockett and Baby
G4464 Doggie Day Care Taffy and Baby
G4459 Doggie Day Care Snack Time with Cookie
G4460 Doggie Day Care Diaper Change with Ginger
H1530 Doggie Day Care Ice Cream with Ranger
G9703 Doggie Day Care Puppy Park with Dixie
G4457 Doggie Day Care Dream House Nursery with Honey
G4458 Doggie Day Care Bath Time with Beau
J9472 Barbie and Tanner play set
J9560 Barbie and Tanner play set
M1253 “Sarge” toy car sold alone
K5925 “Sarge” toy car sold in a package of two
J1944 Batman Magna Battle Armor Batman figure
J1946 Batman Magna Fight Wing Batman figure
J5114 Batman Secret ID figure
J5115 Batman Flying Fox figure
J4142 One Piece Triple Slash Zolo Roronoa figure


Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-N.J., said companies whose toys are made in China need to be sure their products meet U.S. safety standards. “If they don’t, I believe Congress must give federal regulators the authority to ensure that our kids’ toys won’t actually harm them,” he said.

In a conference call with reporters, Mattel chief executive Bob Eckert said the company is stepping up its oversight and testing in its production processes. As a result, he noted, more recalls may occur.

“There is no guarantee that we will not be here again and have more recalls,” Eckert said. “We are testing at a very high level here.”

FIRST RECALL

List of model names and product numbers for the nearly 1 million toys Fisher-Price recalled Aug. 2, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

33662 Elmo Light Up Musical Pal
33663 Ernie Light Up Musical Pal
33664 Big Bird Light Up Musical Pal
34658 Elmo Stacking Rings
39038 Elmo Tub Sub
39054 Sesame Street Shape Sorter
87946 Elmo Keyboard
90267 Ernie Splashin’ Fun Trike
90609 Elmo Collectible
90611 Cookie Collectible
90612 Zoe Collectible
90613 Ernie Collectible
90614 Big Bird Collectible
90745 Construction Playset
93068 Elmo Boom Box
93107 Action Fire Engine
93307 Press N Go Elmo
93308 Rev & Go Cookie Monster
93492 Cookie Saxophone
93493 Elmo’s Guitar
93615 Splash Tub Puzzle
93780 Music And Lights Phone
B7554 Count To Beat Elmo
B7888 Shake, Giggle & Roll
B7987 Elmo in the Giggle Box
B7989 Silly Parts Talking Elmo
B9620 Dora’s Talking House
C6908 Dora, Backpack, Perrito Figure Pack
C6909 Diego Figure Pack
C6910 Swiper Figure Pack
C6911 Boots, Tico Figure Pack
G3825 Dora Talking Vamonos Van
G5112 Sing With Elmo’s Greatest Hits
G9717 Giggle Doodler
H2943 Grow with Me Elmo Sprinkler
H3343 Cousin Daisy
H3344 Birthday Dora
H5569 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Cookie, Ernie)
H5570 Elmo & Pals (Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird)
H4187 Dora Figures in Tube
H4628 Water Fun Tote
H8236 Dora 3 Pack Figures in Tube
H8237 Blue 3 Pack Figures in Tube
H8238 Sponge Bob 3 Pack Figures in Tube
H9124 Chef Dora
H9125 Bedtime Dora
H9186 Giggle Grabber Ernie
H9188 Giggle Grabber Oscar the Grouch
J0338 Diego Talking Field Journal
J0343 Go Diego Go Antarctic Rescue
J0344 Go Diego Go Deep Sea Rescue
J0345 Go Diego Go Mountain Rescue
J0346 Go Diego Go Talking Rescue 4 X 4
J5935 Giggle Grabber Soccer Elmo
J5936 Giggle Grabber Chef Cookie Monster
J6537 Sesame Street Giggle Toolbelt
J6762 Queen Mami
J6763 Royal Boots and Tico
J6765 Prince Diego
J7983 Sesame Street Tub Pots & Pans
J9518 Sesame Street Giggle Drill
J9692 Dora’s Talking Pony Place
K0617 Twins Nursery
K3414 Diego - Talking Gadget Belt
K3571 Go Diego Go Mobile Rescue Unit
K3580 Fairytale Adventure Dora
K4139 Go Diego Go Dinosaur Rescue
K4140 Toucan Motorcycle Rescue
L0305 Dora Figure
L3194 Surprise Inside Diego Eggs
L3215 Sesame Street Elmo Jack-In-The-Box
L3488 Sesame Street Birthday Figure Pack
L3507 Sesame Street - Super Boom Box
L5202 Birthday Dora
L5813 Diego Tub Trike
L8905 Pablo & Pals
M0351 Dora Figures Dora & Kitty
M0352 Dora Figures Diego & Bear
M0524 Go Diego Go Talking Gadget
M0527 Sesame Street Giggle Doodler
M0732 Dora’s Talking House
M2051 Let’s Go Rescue Center
M2052 Fairytale Castle

In full-page ads in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today on Tuesday, Mattel said it has “one of the most trusted names with parents” and was “working extremely hard to address your concerns and continue creating safe, entertaining toys for you and your children.”

Tuesday’s recalls were the latest blows to the nation’s toy industry, which relies on China for about 80 percent of toys sold in the United States.

On Aug. 2, Mattel recalled about 1.5 million Chinese-made Fisher-Price toys — including characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo — that contain lead paint. In June, about 1.5 million Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys, imported from China and distributed by the RC2 Corp. were recalled because of lead paint.

Lead is toxic if ingested by young children. Under current regulations, children’s products found to have more than .06 percent lead accessible to users are subject to a recall.

“There is no excuse for lead to be found in toys entering this country,” Nord said. “It’s totally unacceptable and it needs to stop.”

Nord said the company has stopped selling the recalled products, instructed retailers to pull them from the shelves and made a production change. Mattel is also offering replacement products.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which negotiated details of Mattel’s recalls, reported that in the previous recall of Polly Pocket play sets Nov. 21, 2006, three children had been injured by swallowing more than one magnet. All three suffered intestinal perforations that required surgery.

When more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal.

In March 2006, another toy company, Mega Brands Inc., recalled 3.8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets after one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in them.

Mattel officials said they became aware in late July of potential problems at factories in China and began investigating. While testing to determine which products might be affected, the company alerted the CPSC, Eckert said.

The Mattel executive said the decision to move forward with a recall was made at the end of last week. When The Associated Press learned late Monday that another Mattel recall was in the works and contacted the CPSC, a spokesman declined to comment.