Check holiday gifts for recalled items

Before assigning the 2002 holidays to history, check under your tree for these items.

Kmart Corp. is recalling 50,000 candy-filled wooden vehicles that may have been given to children. The wheels could break into small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children. The toys include a red wagon, truck and train packaged with candy and containing UPC codes: 694405900012 (wagon), 694405900029 (truck), and 694405900036 (train). All were made in China and sold by Kmart from November through December 2002 for about $5.

Consumers should take them away from children immediately and return them to any Kmart store for a full refund or call 1-800-63KMART.

Lovee Doll & Toy Co., Inc., of New York is recalling 160,000 “Talking Learn n’ Play” dolls with buttons on their outfits that could detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. The dolls have buttons that, when pushed, describe the function of zippers, buttons, snaps and shoelaces and are about 13 inches tall, dressed in pink jumpers with pink and white plaid shirts. The purple packaging reads, “Talking Learn n’ Play” and “Made in China.” Toy and discount stores sold the dolls from June through December 2002 for $10 to $15.

Take these dolls away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information, contact Lovee Doll & Toy Co., Inc., at 1-800-307-5911 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

Elkton Sparkler Co. Inc. of North East, Md., is recalling about 1.7 million boxes of bamboo stick sparklers. The bamboo handles can catch fire, burn and disintegrate, and emit burning fragments, presenting a fire hazard and a risk of burn injury. There have been four reports of burns and clothing igniting including a 6-year-old girl who received second-degree burns to her ankle and a 3-year-old boy who received a minor burn to his leg when his sweat pants caught on fire.

The sparklers were packaged in red, white and blue boxes with six per container and include models SP08 (8 inches long), SP14 (14 inches), and SP20 (20 inches). Package labels read “BAMBOO GOLD SPARKLERS, 6 PIECES, MADE IN CHINA.” Variety Stores sold the sparklers from January through May 2002 for between $2 and $5 a box.

Stop using these sparklers immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund. For information, contact Elkton Sparklers at 1-800-322-3458 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or visit www.easylite.com.

Century Tool and Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Cherry Valley, Ill., is recalling about 6,300 propane-powered camping stoves. The burner assembly in the stoves can restrict the flow of gas, which can cause a leak. The leaking gas can ignite and weaken the hose, causing it to separate from the stove and pose a fire hazard. Century Tool has received eight reports of hoses separating from the stove, causing one minor injury.

Recalled stoves include the Century, Hillary, and L.L. Bean brand names and have a drip tray, two or three burners, and a black or green base with a label identifying the brand name. The manufacturing date (050202 through 073102) and model number (4660, 4665, 4675, 4730, 4960, 72861, and 4960LLB) are printed on the inside of the stove lid. Sporting goods, camping supply and mass merchandise stores nationwide sold the stoves from May through September 2002 for up to $90.

Consumers should stop using the stoves immediately and contact Century for replacement information at 1-800-435- 4525 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays, by writing Century Tool and Manufacturing, P.O. Box 188, Cherry Valley, Ill. 61016, or by visiting www.centurytoolmfg.com.

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.