Safety recalls issued for deep fryers, playpens

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Presto Industries Inc. of Eau Claire, Wis., issued a voluntarily recall to replace up to 50,000 Presto CoolDaddy electric deep fryer basket handles. The handles on the fryer baskets can come off, resulting in hot oil spattering the user and bystanders.

Presto has received 63 reports of basket handles coming off, including 10 reports of consumers being spattered with hot oil. The injuries include minor burns to the arms and face.

The Presto CoolDaddy electric deep fryers have model numbers 0544404 (product number 21-419) and 0544504 (product number 21-439). The deep fryers are white with the words, “Presto CoolDaddy or “Presto Pride CoolDaddy” written on the front. The model numbers are located on the bottom of the deep fryer and the product number is located on the bottom of the carton. Only the deep fryer baskets with silver screws attaching the basket handle are involved in this recall.

Department stores sold the deep fryers nationwide from July 2000 through June 2001 for $50 to $70. Consumers should stop using their deep fryer baskets immediately, and contact Presto toll-free at (866) 813-9545 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, to receive a free repair kit. Consumers also can log on to the company’s Web site at www.gopresto.com/recall.

Basket handles with black screws, and deep fryers with magnetic detachable cords are not involved in this recall.

Also, Dorel Juvenile Group of Columbus, Ind., is voluntarily recalling about 102,000 Cosco Zip ‘n Go, Okie Dokie and Carters playpens manufactured between May 1995 and December 1997. The plastic tabs on the playpen that lock the rails into the corners can break or loosen over time, allowing the rails to turn inward, collapse and entrap an infant.

In June 2001, an 11-month-old child in Elyria, Ohio, died when his chest was caught in the V-shape created by the collapsed sides of his playpen. Dorel Juvenile Group has received 421 reports of rails not locking or collapsing.

The recalled playpens were sold under the Zip ‘n Go, Okie Dokie and Carters brand names and were manufactured by Cosco. Only model numbers 05-361, 05-362, 05-363, and 05-364 are included in this recall. The model numbers are located on a label on the bottom of the playpen, on the metal tubular frame near one of the corners. The label reads in part, “MANUFACTURED IN CHINA FOR COSCO INC.” The 28-inch by 40-inch playpens have four mesh sides on a folding metal frame. The side rails have the name Zip ‘n Go, Okie Dokie or Carters written on it. The padded floorboard forms a carrying case for the playpen.

Department, toy and juvenile specialty stores nationwide sold the Zip ‘n Go and Carters playpens. J.C. Penney Co. stores nationwide sold the Okie Dokie brand playpens exclusively. The playpens were sold from May 1995 through December 1999 for $40 to $70.

Consumers should stop using these playpens immediately and call Dorel Juvenile Group to receive a refund or replacement product. Consumers can contact Dorel at (800) 314-9327 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.djgusa.com.

For information on additional recalls and product safety standards, go to www.cpsc.com or e-mail NeCOMBAT@aol.com to be placed on the COMBAT/Maine Center for the Public Interest consumer information mailing list. Include the words “list me” in your subject line.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.