Rage Wireless Guitars Used with Popular Video Gaming System Recalled Due to Chemical Burn Risk

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Rage Wireless Guitars

Units: About 57,000

Manufacturer/Distributor: Performance Designed Products LLC, of Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Hazard: A circuit board defect can cause AA batteries used in the guitar to leak if the batteries are installed incorrectly, posing a risk of chemical burns to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Performance Designed Products has received one report of a burn to a consumer.

Description: The Rage Wireless Guitar controller is designed to be used on the Nintendo Wii system. The guitar is blue or white and is 31 inches long. The guitar contains battery-operated LED-lighted fret buttons that go up the neck of the guitar.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and specialty retailers nationwide from June 2008 through September 2008 for between $40 and $60.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the wireless guitar game controllers immediately and return them to the place where purchased for a full refund. Do not contact or return the product to Nintendo.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Performance Designed Products at (800) 331-3844 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.pdp.com .

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Defects Identified by CPSC Early Warning System Prompt Crib Warning to Parents: CPSC to Consider Rulemaking to Address Crib Defects

Check out Recall Roundup on the Fayette Front Page to see the Delta Crib Recalls Due to Infant Deaths.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to closely inspect the hardware and stability of their cribs to ensure all parts are in place and secure. The warning by the CPSC comes after the agency's Early Warning System has identified concerns with the durability of cribs, especially those with drop sides that can disengage and lead to dangers of entrapment and strangulation.

Since the creation of the CPSC Early Warning System in fall of 2007, the agency has conducted five crib recalls where the hardware was broken, missing or otherwise failed to function. Cribs with drop sides are the type most likely to experience hardware problems. They contain more moving parts and have more non-rigid connections than static, or non-drop side cribs. In many cases the drop side corners disengage from the tracks located on the crib ends, or safety stops become nonfunctional permitting the drop side to detach from the crib. These types of defects are often undetected by parents or caregivers and can worsen when the baby pushes or leans against the side of the crib.

"The CPSC is committed to making sure a baby's sleep environment is as safe as possible," said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. "It is that ongoing commitment that is driving the agency to explore new crib requirements and educate the public of the dangers associated with some cribs."

Safety Tips for all cribs:

* Parents should not use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts.

* Hardware should be inspected from time to time and tightened to keep the crib sturdy.

* When using a drop side crib parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly on its track.

* Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Any disengagement can create a gap and entrap a child.

* Do not try to repair any side of the crib without manufacturer approved hardware or with tape, wire or rope.

* Putting a broken side up against the wall does not solve the problem and can often make it worse.

While the mandatory and voluntary crib standards have succeeded in preventing many deaths and injuries, the agency staff believes the performance requirements can be strengthened to deal with the problems identified by the Early Warning System. Therefore, agency staff will be recommending that the Commission vote to issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed (ANPR) rulemaking to examine and assess potential design and durability issues and possible mandatory performance requirements to prevent future entrapments and strangulations to children. If approved, the ANPR will seek input and information about hardware systems, other hardware issues, assembly and instructional problems and wood quality/strength issues for cribs with both stationary and drop side construction.

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Data Shows Unstable TVs, Furniture and Appliances Pose Deadly Danger to Children

Found in various rooms of the home, large furniture such as TVs, chests, armoires, and appliances are staples in our homes. But these items can tip over and crush children, causing injury or death. Last year, CPSC identified this issue as one of the "top five hidden home hazards." A new data report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff shows at least 180 tip-over related deaths between 2000 and 2006, 80 percent involving children younger than 10. The report also indicates that between 2005 and 2006 there were at least 40 reports of television or television and furniture related tip-over deaths.

These deaths and injuries frequently occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and stove oven doors. Televisions placed on top of furniture can tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.

"Tip-over related deaths continue to be a problem. These tragedies can be prevented by taking precautions," said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC recommends the following safety tips below:

Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving and bureaus to the wall or floor using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws, or toggles.

Place televisions on sturdy furniture appropriate for the size of the TV or on a low-rise base.

Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand.

Place electrical cords out of a child's reach, and teach children not to play with the cords.

Remove items from the top of the TV and furniture that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls.

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