Bicycle Helmet Recall
W A S H I N G T O N, July 6 -- At the height of the summer biking season, twocompanies are voluntarily recalling about 79,000 bicycle helmetsafter government regulators found the headgear failed safety testsand would not adequately protect children or adults from serious orfatal head injuries.
A third company is recalling about 2,200 trailers that areattached to bicycles to transport children.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it was not aware ofany injuries or deaths as a result of the flawed helmets but waspublicizing the problem to prevent casualties. There has been onereport of a minor injury associated with the faulty trailer.
Rand International of Farmingdale, N.Y., is recalling about70,000 helmets — “L.A. Cruisin’” models that were sold in variouschild, youth and adult sizes. The youth and adult-sized helmets arewhite or black and the child sizes are either blue or pink.
A label inside the helmet reads, “Manufactured by RandInternational,” and Made In China writing on the packagingreads, “Rand,” “L.A. Cruisin’” and “Meets CPSC & ASTMStandards 78.”
The helmets were sold nationwide at Kmart and Rose’s stores fromApril 1999 through March 2000 for about $8.
Cycle Express Inc. of New York also is recalling about 9,000bicycle helmets. The girls’ helmets are mostly pink mixed withsilver glitter, and the pink part is bordered by purple tape.Decals on the helmets read “Hearts & Flowers.” The helmets aresize small, for ages 2 through 5 years.
A label inside them reads “Distributed By: Cycle Express.” Thepackaging on the box reads, “Hearts and Flowers Helmet Combo ValuePack” and “Item 10235.” The helmets were sold with a bikebag-purse combo and hair accessories.
Toys R Us stores sold the helmets with accessories nationwidefrom October 1999 through April 2000 for about $13.
Commission officials said consumers should stop using thebicycle helmets in question immediately. The Rand helmets can bereturned to the company for a free replacement. The Cypress helmetsshould be returned to the store for a $7 refund, which is the valueof a helmet without the accessories.
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