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TODAY'S CONSUMER - Tuesday, February 21, 2006
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Polycom Inc.
Recalls Conference Phone Batteries for Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com-
mission, 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: Lithium Ion batteries in SoundStation2W
wireless conference phone
Manufacturer/Distributor: Polycom Inc., of Pleasanton,
Calif.
Hazard: These batteries can overheat, which could pose a
fire or burn hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Polycom has received two reports of
batteries overheating and causing minor damage to the
tables on which the units sat. No injuries have been
reported.
Description: The recalled batteries were sold with the
SoundStation2W wireless conference phones, and separately
as replacement batteries. The SoundStation2W Part Number
is printed on the underside of the telephone. The
SoundStation2W Part Numbers and SKU numbers are as
follows:
Part Number SKU number
2201-07800-001 2200-07800-001
2201-07880-001 2200-07880-001
SoundStation2W recalled battery Part Numbers, SKU numbers
and date codes are as follows:
Part Number SKU number Date Code
1520-07803-001 2200-07803-001 1205 or earlier (December 2005)
1205 or earlier (December 2005) 2200-07804-001 1205 or
earlier (December 2005)
The batteries have a black or white plastic coating and a
white label with the following title: “RECHARGEABLE Li-ion
BATTERY.” The recalled battery Part Numbers can be found on
the bottom right hand corner of the white label on the
battery pack. The date code can be found to the left of the
Part Number. Recalled batteries have the date code of 1205
(December 2005) or earlier printed on the white label of the
batter pack. Sold by: Polycom business to business resellers
who sell through catalogs, online, telesales, through office
supply stores or on the Polycom Web store from August 2004
through January 2006 for between $700 and -$900. Replacement
batteries were sold for between $50 and $90.
Manufactured in: The batteries were manufactured in China.
Remedy: Customers should remove the battery pack from their
SoundStation2W unit immediately. Once the batteries are
removed, customers can still use their conference phone by
keeping the charger plugged into the unit. Customers should
not attempt to use other batteries in the unit. Consumers
should contact Polycom Inc. for information on receiving a
free replacement battery.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, please go to
www.polycom.com/2WBattery or call Polycom Inc. at (800)
917-5738 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Consumers also can contact their local Polycom office or
write to: Polycom Inc, 1565 Barber Lane, Milpitas, CA 95035
ATTN: SoundStation2W Battery Return Program.
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SAFETY BULLETIN
CPSC Approves New Flammability Standard for Mattresses
Federal standard could prevent 270 deaths each year
WASHINGTON, D.C. – One of the most important safety standards
ever developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) was approved today. By a vote of 3 to 0, CPSC approved
a new federal standard to reduce the severity of mattress
fires.
The new mandatory flammability standard for mattresses is the
first major regulation passed by the CPSC in the agency’s
history. A major rule is one that has more than a $100 million
annual impact on the economy.
When fully effective, CPSC estimates the new mandatory
standard for mattresses is likely to save as many as 270
lives, preventing 78 percent of the deaths, and 1,330, or
84 percent of the injuries currently occurring every year.
“Consumers who purchase a new mattress that meets this
standard will add an important layer of fire safety protec-
tion to their home,” said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “Lives
will be saved as a result of this standard, as it requires
new mattresses to limit the spread and intensity of a
mattress fire, which will give people more time to escape
from their residence.”
The mandatory standard addresses mattress fires ignited by
open flame sources, including matches, candles, lighters,
and other related scenarios. The test protocol was developed
in coordination with the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST). “NIST’s contribution to CPSC’s development
of this standard was invaluable,” said Stratton.
Under the new mandatory federal rule, mattress sets must
meet a performance standard. The CPSC does not specify how
manufacturers are to design their mattresses to meet the
standard. The new federal standard for mattresses goes into
effect on July 1, 2007.
In the performance standard, the peak heat release rate is
limited to 200 kW during a 30 minute test. The total heat
release is limited to 15 MJ within the first 10 minutes of
the test.
Cigarette ignition is covered by a separate mandatory
standard. That standard, 16 CFR Part 1632, has been in
place for more than 30 years during which deaths and
injuries from mattress fires caused by smoking materials
have fallen dramatically.
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Paintball Markers
Recalled for Ejecting CO2 Cartridges, Hits Users
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com-
mission, 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: Blade Turbo™ and Paintball Breakout
Players Kit™
Manufacturer: Brass Eagle, of Bentonville, Ark.
Hazard: The carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridges can be forcibly
ejected out the back of the paintball marker and break the
plastic screw-on cap. This poses a serious risk of injury
to the paintball marker’s operator who can be hit forcefully
by the CO2 cartridges or the plastic screw-on cap. Over-
tightening the screw-on cap after the cartridges are pierced
can result in a serious impact injury.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received reports of at
least 73 incidents involving the recalled paintball markers.
Seven injuries have been reported including an eye injury,
facial bruises, and lacerations.
Description: The recalled Blade Turbo™ paintball marker is
bright blue with a black handgrip on the nozzle. Two carbon
dioxide cartridges are inserted into the back of the marker
covered by a clear plastic screw-on cap. The silver-colored
carbon dioxide cartridges are about three-inches long. The
Paintball Breakout Players Kit™ includes a Blade Turbo™,
black mask and CO2 cartridges. “Blade Turbo” is printed on
the side of the paintball marker. Paintball markers are
sometimes referred to as paintball guns.
Sold at: The Blade Turbo™ was sold at Wal-Mart, Kmart and
sporting goods retailers nationwide from January 2005
through January 2006 for about $20. The Paintball Breakout
Players Kit™ was sold at Wal-Mart from October 2005 through
January 2006 for about $25.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recal-
led Blade Turbo™ paintball marker and contact Brass Eagle
to receive a free replacement screw-on cap which is black,
instead of clear.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Brass
Eagle toll-free at (866) 363-8241 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
CT Monday through Friday, e-mail Brass Eagle at
recall@brasseagle.com, or visit the firm’s Web site
at http://www.brasseagle.com
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END OF TODAY'S CONSUMER
Copyright 2006 by PENN LLC. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International.
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