RECALLS

Product recalls announced last week. Details are available at www.cpsc.gov and other Web sites as listed.

Blowers

About 23,000 Shindaiwa backpack blowers, imported by Shindaiwa Corp. and made in Japan by Shindaiwa Kogyo Co. Ltd., because a part of the blower can separate from the base and break apart, causing plastic pieces to be blown out of the machine, posing a laceration and impact hazard. The company is aware of 13 incidents involving broken parts, including one involving a minor head injury and minor damage to an automobile. The recall includes models EB8510 and EB8510RT, with serial numbers up to 7014728. The products were sold at Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from September 2005 through January 2007. Details: by Web at www.shindaiwa.com.

Air pistols

About 7,250 air pistols, distributed by Umarex USA Inc. and made in Germany by DianaWerk GmbH & Co., because the pistols can discharge accidentally, posing a risk of serious injury. Umarex USA has received one report of an air pistol that unexpectedly fired a pellet and struck the user's lower leg, causing swelling. The recalled RWS5G Magnum Air Pistol is for target and recreational shooting and uses air to fire pellets. The pistols were sold at sporting goods stores and gun shops nationwide from July 2006 through February this year. Details: by phone at (866) 633-2910; by Web at www.umarexusa.com.

Rattles

About 7,000 Tumble Tower baby rattles, made in China by Manhattan Group LLC, because the blue plastic end caps of the rattle can break into small pieces, posing a choking hazard. Manhattan Group has received two reports of the end caps breaking; no injuries have been reported. The r rattle is made of clear plastic with blue end cap pieces and two clear handles with bright beads inside and colored rings on the outside. They were sold at gift and specialty stores nationwide, in catalogs and on the Internet from September 2007 through last month. Details: by phone at (800) 541-1345; by Web at www.manhattantoy.com.

Jackets

About 6,000 Squeeze Kids girl's corduroy jackets, made in China and distributed by Maran Inc., because the garment's hood drawstring can pose a strangulation hazard. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled product, with style No. 4JZ642FK, is a brown corduroy jacket with a pink hood and pink sequins on the front pockets. The jackets were sold at TJ Maxx stores nationwide in January 2007. Details: by Web at www.Sqz.com.

Alarms

About 280,000 carbon monoxide alarms and combination carbon monoxide/smoke alarms, made in Mexico by Maple Chase Co. The wrong type of alarm can sound in the presence of carbon monoxide. Consumers can be exposed to hazardous levels of carbon monoxide and suffer injury or death. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled products include FireX brand 10000 series carbon monoxide alarms and 12000 series carbon monoxide/smoke alarms. The alarms were sold by commercial electrical distributors and electrical contractors and builders for installation in new homes. A limited number were sold at Menards stores nationwide from June 2007 through February this year. Details: by phone at (888) 879-3906; by Web at www.firexsafety.com.

Fuel cells

About 86,000 "Tall Red" fuel cells, made in the U.S. by Paslode, because the product can leak fuel, posing a fire hazard. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled "Tall Red" fuel cells are designed for use in Paslode cordless framing nailers. They were sold at construction supply and home center stores and by construction supply dealers nationwide from February through April this year. Details: by phone at (800) 222-6990; by Web at www.paslode.com.