Q3 2021 Consumer Product Recalls Analysis

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Recalls Analysis

There were a total of 62 consumer products recall notices issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in Q3 (July – September) 2021. The CPSC conducted 20 of these recalls in conjunction with Health Canada.

All-terrain vehicles accounted for 10 recall notices, for crash, injury and burn hazards. Appliances accounted for 7 recall notices, 6 of which were fire related and 1 was amputation related. Bicycles and accessories accounted for 7 recall notices, the majority of which were related to fall and crash hazards. Children’s apparel accounted for 4 recall notices, of which 3 were related to burn hazards.

Overall, there were 13 recalls for burn related hazards, 8 fire related and 10 fall and crash related hazards, as well as 6 choking hazards.

Highlighted below are some of the recalls relevant to Hardlines and Softlines products:

Q3 2021 – CPSC
Product	Hazard – Reason(s)
Children’s nightgowns/robes	Burn – The children’s nightgowns/robes fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.
Children’s socks	Choking – The sock’s pom-pom can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Children’s feeding utensil	Choking – The handle of the utensil can break off releasing small parts, posing a choking hazard for young children.
Rugs	Fire – The rug fails to meet the federal flammability standard for carpets and rugs, posing a fire hazard.
Pet products	Laceration – Gasket on the bottom of dog bowls can come off, leaving an unfinished edge, posing a risk of laceration.
Toy – Children’s shaving kit	The brown trim of the shaving kit bags contains levels of a regulated phthalate that exceed the prohibition of specific phthalates, and when ingested can cause adverse health effects in young children.
Toys – Puzzle	The octopus and elephant puzzle pieces can break, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Batteries	Burn and/or fire – Risk of overheating.

Health Canada Recalls Analysis

There were a total of 59 consumer products recall notices issued by Health Canada in Q3 (July - September) 2021.

Toys accounted for 11 notices, chemicals accounted for 8 notices, sports and fitness accounted for 8 notices, and children’s products as well as furniture accounted for 5 notices each.

A total of 15 notices were issued for fire or burn hazards, 8 notices were for fall and injury, choking accounted for 6 notices and child-resistant packaging and laceration accounted for 4 notices each.

Highlighted below are some of the recalls:

Q3 2021 – Health Canada
Product	Hazard – Reason(s)
Furniture (dressers)	Tipover and/or Entrapment – The product can tip-over if not securely anchored to the wall by using the tip-over restraints provided with the product, posing a tip-over and an entrapment hazard that can result in death or serious injuries to children.
Household Items (dog bowl)	Laceration – The rubber gasket on the bottom of the affected product can come off, leaving an unfinished edge, posing a laceration hazard.
Household Items (Framed mirror)	The mirror's glass can separate from the backing and fall, posing a laceration hazard.
Firepots	A fire or burn hazard called flame jetting occurs when fuel vapours around a poured fuel stream ignite when a user refuels a portable fire product that is still burning, or hot and a flame is not readily visible. Flame jetting occurs very quickly, so the user and/or bystanders are unable to react quickly enough to move away from an incoming flame jet, resulting in serious illness, injury or death. The recalled products do not meet the appropriate labeling and hazard information.
Costumes	Fire or burn – Costumes do not meet flammability requirements under the toy regulations.
Sports and Fitness (treadmill and bike carrier)	Injury – Product parts can detach and pose an injury hazard.