Top 10 Product Recalls of 2012

10. Cryofreeze Ice/Hot and Arctic Zone Ice Gel Packs

Units recalled: 880,000

Last June, 880,000 Cryofreeze Ice/Hot and Arctic Zone Ice Gel Packs were recalled due to a potential illness hazard. If the packs become damaged, they can leak gel that could contain diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can cause illness if ingested in large amounts.

According the CPSC, there have been no new reports of incidents or injuries.

9. Safety 1^st Push 'N Snap Cabinet Locks

Units recalled: 900,000

A recall was issued on Safety 1^st Push 'N Snap Cabinet Locks in March 2012. Consumers found that young children can disengage the cabinet locks, allowing access to cabinet contents and posing the risk of injury due to dangerous or unsafe items.

CPSC says there are 200 reports of locks that did not adequately secure the cabinet, including reports of damaged locks. Of the reported incidents, the faulty locks' manufacturer, Dorel Juvenile Group, is aware of 140 children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years who were able to disengage the locks and gain access to the cabinet's contents. In three of the reported incidents, the children who gained access swallowed or handled dishwashing detergent, window cleaner or oven cleaner, and were treated, observed and released from emergency treatment centers.

8. Hewlett-Packard 1040 and 1050 Fax Machines

Units recalled: 928,000

In February 2012, the CPSC published a recall of Hewlett-Packard 1040 and 1050 fax machines due to a potential fire and burn hazard caused by the fax machines overheating due to an internal electrical component failure.

The CPSC reports that Hewlett-Packard is aware of seven reports of fax machines overheating and catching fire, resulting in property damage, including one instance of significant property damage and one instance of a minor burn injury to a consumer's finger.

7. GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile, and Hotpoint Dishwashers

Units recalled: 1,300,000

GE, GE Adora, Ge Eterna, GE Profile, and Hotpoint dishwashers were recalled in August 2012 due to a potential of an electrical failure in the dishwasher's heating element that can pose a fire hazard.

CPSC is aware that GE has received 15 reports of dishwasher heating element failures, including seven reports of fires, three of which caused extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.

6. Kennedy Home Collection Folding Step Stools

Units recalled: 1,600,000

Kennedy Home Collection Folding Step Stools were recalled in May 2012 due to a potential fall hazard.

According to CPSC, Kennedy International received at least 15 reports of incidents involving the step stools cracking or breaking, including three reports of injuries to consumers using the stools. Injuries included two reports of back injuries and one report of a fractured leg.

5. Mother's Touch Deluxe Baby Bathers

Units recalled: 2,000,000

In August 2012, 2 million baby bathers made by Summer Infant were recalled. According to CPSC, when the bather is lifted and/or carried with an infant in it, its folding wire frame can suddenly disengage from the side hinge, dropping the baby out of the bather.

CPSC and Summer Infant have received seven reports of incidents in the U.S., including five reports of infants suffering head injuries from falls from the bathers. Four children between two weeks and two months old received skull fractures, including one that required intensive care for bleeding on the brain. The fifth child received a bump to the head requiring emergency room treatment.

4. Tassimo Coffee, Latte, Espresso T Discs/Packets

Units recalled: 2,100,000

Kraft Foods and CPSC issued a recall on Tassimo coffee, latte, and espresso T Discs due to a potential burn hazard. The T Discs can become clogged and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds onto consumers and bystanders during or after brewing.

There have been 21 reports of incidents of hot liquid and/or coffee grounds spraying onto consumers and bystanders, including four reports of second-degree burn injuries. One injury involved 2-year-old girl from Canada who received second-degree burns to her face.

3. Flushmate III Pressure-Assist Flushing System for Toilets

Units recalled: 2,330,600

The Flushmate III Pressure-Assist Flushing System for Toilets was recalled following reports of the pressure building up inside the product, causing the unit to burst. This pressure can lift the tank lid and shatter the tank, posing impact or laceration hazards to consumers and property damage.

Flushmate has received 304 reports of the product bursting, resulting in property damage and 14 impact or laceration injuries.

2. Bumbo Baby Seats

Units recalled: 4,000,000

The Bumbo Baby Seat, intended to be a safe seat for infants to stay seated in, was recalled after reports of babies maneuvering out of or falling from the seat, posing a risk of serious injuries.

CPSC and Bumbo International know of at least 50 incidents after the October 2007 voluntary recall in which babies fell from a Bumbo seat while it was being used on a raised surface. Nineteen of those incidents included reports of skull fractures. CPSC and Bumbo International are aware of an additional 34 post-recall reports of infants who fell out or maneuvered out of a Bumbo seat used on the floor or at an unknown elevation, resulting in injury. Two of these incidents involved reports of skull fractures, while others reported bumps, bruises and other minor injuries.

1. Map Pro, Propylene, and MAPP Gas Cylinders

Units recalled: 29,026,000

The biggest recall of 2012 was of Map Pro, Propylene, and MAPP Gas Cylinders intended for use in soldering, brazing, cutting and welding. The cylinders were recalled in February 2012 when it was discovered that the seal on the cylinders can leak after torches or other fuel consuming equipment are disconnected from them, posing a fire hazard. No related injuries have been reported.