All Topics

• Baby Bling Pacifiers Recalled

  Claude Wyle | August 22, 2007 4:37 PM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  Retailers of pacifiers with Swarovski crystals glued to the pacifier's handle have been voluntarily recalled. The crystals can become easily separated, and pose a choking hazard. Perhaps this just goes to show that bling is not for babies.For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

• Recalled Lounge Chairs Cause Severe Injuries

  Claude Wyle | August 20, 2007 4:55 PM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  Bond Manufacturing Company issued a recall for the Rockingham Deluxe Lounge Chair. These chairs may collapse or fall backwards. The recall was announced after no less than 13 consumers experienced severe injuries to their shoulders, back, neck and head. Owners of these chairs should stop use, and call the consumer help-line at (866) 771-2663 for a full refund.For more information on this...

• Mattel's "Sarge" Toy Car Poses Lead Poisoning Risk

  Claude Wyle | August 18, 2007 6:08 PM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  Today there seems to be a greater risk of children suffering lead poisoning from their toys than there was before lead-based paint was removed from the market. Tuesday Mattel announced a recall of yet another toy imported from China, due to violation of the lead safety standard. The paints in the "Sarge" die cast toy cars could contain excessive levels of lead. It is a good idea for parents...

• Deadly Oakland SUV v. Motorcycle Accident

  Claude Wyle | August 15, 2007 4:50 PM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  On Tuesday morning in downtown Oakland near Chinatown, a motorcyclist was killed when an SUV while making a lane change, brushed the motorcycle he was riding, knocking him into a parked car, and then into a retaining wall.The motorcycle accident happened about 6 a.m. in the 100 block of Seventh Street, between Jackson and Madison streets. This apparently is another case of "I just didn't see...

• Defective Sony Laptop Batteries Risk Fire Hazard

  Claude Wyle | August 07, 2007 3:55 PM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  Toshiba Corporation is recalling 10,000 laptop batteries manufactured by Sony after receiving reports of lithium-ion batteries spontaneously catching on fire. The batteries can cause serious injuries if they short-circuit. Users of Toshiba laptops with Sony batteries should stop use immediately, and consult local Toshiba retailers for complimentary replacement.For more information on this...

• Toxic Toy Trains Recalled

  Claude Wyle | August 06, 2007 3:53 PM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  After discovering lead paint in Thomas Trains, RC2 has issued a recall of the product. Lead paint is known to cause numerous injuries, including seizures and death. This is one toy parents should take away from their children. RC2 is offering to replace the toys at no charge.For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective adn Dangerous Products.

• Mill Valley Man Dies in Fatal Auto Accident

  Claude Wyle | July 27, 2007 7:29 AM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  Investigators are still searching for the cause of an auto accident that left a Mill Valley man dead. The accident occurred on June 18, 2007 when a Mill Valley man unexplainably veered off Ridgecrest Boulevard on Mount Tamalpais and down a 400 cliff. Recent toxicology results were negative.For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

• Consumer Commission Powerless to Pull Deadly Product Off the Market

  Claude Wyle | July 23, 2007 10:48 AM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  Kazuma refuses to pull the Meerkat 50 Youth ATV off the market, or make the product safer. The Consumer Public Safety Commission (CPSC) is unable to force a recall. The ATV is marketed to children under 11 and the products numerous defects places the children at a high risk of serious injury or death. Defects include being able to start in gear and lack of front brakes and parking brakes.The...

• Distracted Driver Hits Tomato Truck; Kills Passenger

  Claude Wyle | July 20, 2007 10:32 AM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  The death of a 23-year-old woman this Sunday could have been avoided if only the driver in the van she rode in paid more attention to surrounding traffic conditions. Just south of the Herndon crossing on northbound I-5 at approximately 9:54 p.m., Pakom Lengsrichaem sped along at 75 mph. He did not notice traffic slowing ahead of him, and rear-ended a tomato truck moving at 15 mph. The tomato...

• Guilty! Bus Driver Injures Bicyclist

  Claude Wyle | July 18, 2007 8:56 AM | 0 CommentsOakland, CA

  Golden Gate Transit is increasing training around bicyclists after a Marin jury recently found a driver guilty on charges related to a bus versus bicycle accident. The incident occurred on February 5, 2006 when a rider tapped on a bus and the angered the bus driver then allegedly attempted to run the cyclist off the road before intentionally hitting the rider at a bus stop on Ward Street near...