Recalls this week include toy dart guns, children’s blankets, storage trunks and coffee makers

Recalls This Week: Toy Dart Guns, Giraffe Blankets

Toy dart guns and a stuffed toy squirrel lead the list of recalled items this week. The guns have been implicated in the asphyxiation deaths of two kids, and the squirrel poses a similar hazard, as does a blanket embroidered with a plush giraffe.

Also on the list are steps used to climb trees when hunting, but may break when used; coffee makers that pose a fire hazard; and woven trunks that may close accidentally, posing a risk to children.

Here are the recalled items this week:

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TOY DART GUN SETS

DETAILS: The “Auto Fire” toy target set was sold with a toy gun in orange, yellow or blue, eight orange darts and a small target with numbers from 1 to 20. The soft plastic darts are over one inch long and have a half-inch diameter suction cup at one end. The 5-inch target board is black, yellow, red and green. They were made in China and imported by Henry Gordy International Inc., of Plainfield, N.J. “Gordy Toy” for “Ages 8+” is printed on the packaging.

The sets were sold at Family Dollar stores nationwide from September 2005 through January 2009 for about $1.50.

WHY: If a child places the dart in his or her mouth, it can be inhaled and prevent the child from breathing.

INCIDENTS: There have been reports of two asphyxiation deaths involving a 9-year-old boy in Chicago, Ill., and a 10-year-old boy in Milwaukee, Wis.

HOW MANY: 1.8 million

FOR MORE: Call 800-547-0359; visit www.familydollar.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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CHILDREN’S GIRAFFE BLANKET

DETAILS: The pink blankets have a plush giraffe head. “I Love You” is embroidered on the 14 inch-by-14 inch blanket. Style number Y22230H and “Just One Year a division of Carter’s” are sewn into a label. They were made in China, imported by Rashti & Rashti, of New York, N.Y., and sold at Target stores from January 2009 through August 2009 for about $9.

WHY: The balls on top of the giraffe’s horns can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

HOW MANY: About 44,000

INCIDENTS: None reported.

FOR MORE: Call 888-594-3730; visit www.rashtiandrashti.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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GENERAL ELECTRIC COFFEE MAKERS

DETAILS: The General Electric-brand digital 12-cup coffee makers were sold in white, model number 169165, or black, model number 169164. No other models are included in this recall.

The coffee makers were made in China and imported by Wal-Mart Stores. They were sold at Walmart stores nationwide from March 2008 through January 2010 for about $30.

HOW MANY: About 900,000

WHY: The coffee maker can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

INCIDENTS: Wal-Mart has received 83 reports of overheating, smoking, melting, burning and fire, including three reports of three people receiving minor burns, a significant kitchen fire and damage to countertops and cabinets.

FOR MORE: Call 800-925-6278; visit www.walmart.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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WOVEN STORAGE TRUNKS

DETAILS: Target has recalled 14 different models of woven storage trunks made of rattan, abaca or banana leaf with standard hinges. They measure more than 1.1 feet in length, width and depth and are brown or natural color. They were made in China or the Philippines, and sold at Target stores nationwide and on the chain’s website from February 2009 through April 2010, for between $50 and $130.

HOW MANY: About 350,000

WHY: The lid of the trunk can drop suddenly when released, posing a strangulation hazard to small children opening or reaching inside.

INCIDENTS: There have been two injuries, including one involving an 18-month-old girl who reportedly suffered brain damage when the trunk’s lid came down on her neck and pinned her throat against the trunk’s rim.

FOR MORE: Call 800-440-0680; visit www.target.com or www.cpsc.gov.

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PLASTIC TREE STEPS

DETAILS: The Ameristep Plastic Strap-On Tree Step recall announced in January has been expanded. The product is a plastic tree step used by hunters, that attaches to a tree using a nylon strap and a large metal buckle. Models 105 and 155 have either a 10/08 or 12/08 date code stamped on the plastic portion of the step. The steps were made in China by Primal Vantage Co., Inc., of Randolph, N.J. The were sold from December 2008 through November 2009 at outdoor and sporting goods retailers nationwide as a 3-step package in model 105 or as a single step in model 155.

HOW MANY: About 17,800

WHY: The plastic portion of the step can break, posing a fall hazard to the user.

INCIDENTS: There have been six complaints of broken steps, including two reports of consumers being bruised and cut.

FOR MORE: Call 866-972-6168; visit www.treestandcustomerservice.com or www.cpsc.gov.