In an effort to create a safer environment for pint-sized consumers during the approaching holiday season, COMBAT brings the following Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls to our readers’ attention.

. Fisher-Price’s Lightning PAC Scooters and MX3 Mini Bikes. The motor control circuits can malfunction, causing the scooters and minibikes to continue to run after the power or throttle button is released, posing a risk of injury to children. These are battery-powered ride-on toys, and have model numbers 73530 (Lightning PAC) or 73535 and B2222 (MX3 Mini Bike), which can be found inside the battery compartment.

Mass merchandisers and toy stores nationwide sold scooters between November 2001 and October 2003 for about $250 and sold minibikes between May 2003 and September 2003 for about $200. Consumers should take the toy vehicles away from children immediately and contact Fisher-Price at (800) 528-7153 or go to www.service.mattel.

. The Dora the Explorer Children’s Board Book from Simon & Schuster. A plastic replica of a balloon attached to the book can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. The heavy cardboard book has “Whose Birthday Is It?” printed on the cover in yellow letters. Discount department stores and bookstores nationwide sold these books during August 2003 for about $10. Consumers should take these books away from young children immediately and contact Simon & Schuster at (800) 223-2336 or go to towww.simonsayskids.com.

. The Bear “Jack-in-the-Box” toy from Schylling Associates Inc. These were sold at specialty stores, gift shops and bookstores from August through October 2003. The red bead on the crank of the toy can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. These multicolor tin jack-in-the-box toys have illustrations of bears in various activities on the sides. When the crank is turned, “Pop Goes the Weasel” plays and a toy teddy bear pops out of the top of the box. “Schylling” is written on the bottom of the toys. Toys with date code stickers on the bottom are not included in the recall.

. BRIO Corp.’s Plan Toys Solid Drums. These toys have three rubber feet screwed into the bottom of the drum, which could be removed in some cases and pose a choking hazard to young children. The drum is natural wood with blue and red triangles painted on the side and measures 61/4 inches long by 3 inches high.

The recalled lot numbers are 46271068, 1546214 and 4345141 and are printed on the inside flap of the packaging. These were sold through specialty toy stores, Internet retailers and mail order catalogs from March 2003 through September 2003 for about $15.

. “Amazing Baby Listen and Play” activity books from Advantage Publishers Group. The hub of the pink dial embedded in the inside back cover can come off during use in some of these books, posing a choking hazard to young children. This book has a multicolored cover with a baby face on the front and is an interactive book designed to allow children ages 12 months to 24 months to learn about different sounds, images and materials. Retail stores, national book chains, and membership warehouse clubs nationwide sold the activity books from May through October 2003 for $16. Consumers should immediately take these books away from young children.

Consumers should call Advantage Publishers Group at (866) 748-3731 or log on to www.advantagebooksonline.com.

Recall or not, always determine whether a toy is appropriate for the age, size and ability level of your child.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT-Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership costs $25; business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.