No Fun in the Sun: Summer Product Risks and Recalls

July 05, 2012 (Press-News.org) Summer is a time for enjoying the warm weather, having barbeques with family or friends, and spending time at the beach or pool. Unfortunately some products consumers use during these activities have been found to have unexpected risks, while others have been recalled. Consumers should be aware of the risks of the following potentially dangerous or defective products.

Banzai Splash Pool Slide

These inflatable slides meant for swimming pools may cause deadly injuries. Last month the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of 21,000 of the slides. The slides may deflate during use, resulting in a person hitting their head on the ground.

A 29-year-old mother tragically died after fracturing her neck when going down the inflatable slide. The slide had partially deflated at the bottom, causing her to hit her head on the concrete pool edge. A 24-year-old man experienced a similar injury, which left him a quadriplegic. Another woman fractured her neck while on the slide.

In addition to the problem of deflation, the CPSC says the slide has inadequate warnings and instructions, and is unstable and at risk for toppling over. The slides were sold between 2005-2009 at Toys R Us and Wal-Mart. Consumers should stop all use of the slide and bring it back to the store where they made the purchase.

Banana Boat Aerosol Sunscreen Spray

In June 2012, a man suffered second-degree burns after applying an aerosol sunscreen and going near a grill. Although the sunscreen had warnings about being flammable on the bottle, the man did not expect it to remain flammable once it was applied.

The man suffered serious burns on all the areas where he used the sunscreen, on his back, chest and ears. He stated that it was the most severe pain he had ever experienced in his life. It is possible that the sunscreen had not quite absorbed into the man's skin and aerosol droplets remained in the air. "As he approached the flame, the charcoal simply caught the vapor trail to where the bulk of the substance is, which is on his body," explained the CEO of the Burn Prevention Network.

No recalls have been issued by Banana Boat, but officials from the company said they were sorry to hear of the incident and would begin an investigation promptly.

Lasko Box Fans

Consumers should also be on the lookout for box fans sold under the brand names of Lasko and Galaxy. The fans were found to be the cause of seven fires, resulting in the company recalling about 4.8 million of the fans last year. It is likely a number of these fans, sold from 2002-2005, are still in use. Consumers who own these fans can request a free adapter with a built-in fuse that prevents the problem.

Article provided by Portner Bond, PLLC
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