December 2021 Product Recalls

Defective Product Lawyer

In the United States, a product can be recalled when a large quantity of the units produced are deemed dangerous for consumers. Recalls can be issued by the product manufacturer or by the government. When the government recalls a product, they do it through the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is an independent agency of the government that seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing unreasonable risks of injury, developing uniform safety standards and conducting research into product related illness and injury.

Once a product is recalled, the manufacturer or government will notify those who purchased the product what they should do. Usually, it is recommended that the consumer throws the product away, returns the product for a replacement or returns the product to be repaired.

Any item produced for sale to consumers can be recalled but commonly recalled products include:

• Medical supplies
• Medication
• Cosmetics
• Food
• Toys
• Mechanical parts

Three products recalled in December of 2021

1. Target Decorative Mailboxes 

On December 10, 2021, Target Corp. recalled 174,300 units of its Letters to Santa Mailbox due to a laceration hazard. The mail slot on the mailbox can be sharp, leading to lacerations. The recall involves Bullseye’s Playground Metal Mailboxes with the item numbers 234-17-8556 and 234-20-9275. The mailboxes are colored red or white and have the words “Letters to Santa” printed on the front of the mailbox. The recalled mailboxes were sold at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from October 2021 through November 2021. Consumers should immediately cease use of the mailbox and return it to any Target store for a full refund in the form of a Target gift card. To date, Target has received nine reports of sharp mail slot openings and seven reports of lacerations, three of which required medical attention.

2. DEWALT Wireless Earphones 

On December 1, 2021, E-filliate recalled 301,800 units of its DEWALT Jobsite Pro Wireless Earphones due to burn and fire hazards. The wireless headphones can overheat while in use or while charging which could lead to a burn or fire hazard. The recalled headphones have a black and yellow neckband with wired earbuds, the manufacture codes included in the recall are:

• • D4 1910
  •  D4 1912
  •  D4 2003
  •  D4 2004
  •  D4 2006
  •  D4 2009
  •  D4 2011
  •  D4 2012
  •  D4 2101
  •  D4 2103
  •  D4 2104

The manufacture codes are listed on the left side of the earphones band, if there is no code listed, the item is included in the recall. The earphones were sold at Lowe’s, The Home Depot and other electronics and hardware stores nationwide and online at cyberguys.com from December 2019 through July 2021. Consumers should cease use of the headphones immediately and contact E-filliate to receive a pre-paid shipping label to return the product and receive a free replacement. To date, E-filliate has received 61 reports of the earphones overheating during charging or use, including five reports of fire and four reports of minor burns.

3. GE Electric and Gas Ranges 

On December 8, 2021, GE Appliances recalled 132,000 units of its Free-Standing and Slide-In Electric and Gas Ranges due to tip-over hazards. The ranges can tip when a heavy object is placed on an open oven door and the anti-tip-over bracket is not secured to a wall or the floor. The recall involves 20-inch, 24-inch, and 30-inch free-standing and slide-in electric and gas ranges with any of the following brand names:

• • GE
  • GE Profile
  • Café
  • Haier
  • Hotpoint
  • Crosley
  • Conservator

The recalled ranges were sold at the Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy and other home improvement and home appliance stores nationwide and online from May 2021 through July 2021. Consumers who own ranges from the above ranges should contact GE Appliances directly to determine if their unit is part of the recall and to schedule a free in-home service call to inspect the recalled range’s anti-tip bracket and ensure it is securely installed. Owners of the recalled ranges are cautioned not to place any objects on the open oven door until the range’s anti-tip bracket has been inspected and repaired, if necessary. Consumers should not return the recalled ranges to the place of purchase, GE Appliances is contacting all known purchasers directly. To date, there have been no incidents or injuries reported.

Thanks to the expertise of the defective product lawyer from Eglet Adams for their insight on recalled products in December 2021.