Recent Recalls: Deaths Linked To Lighting, Bed Rails; Lawn Mower Fires

ACROSS AMERICA — Adult bed rails are responsible for the deaths of two people, and one person was killed and another suffered smoke inhalation when rechargeable lighting overheated, causing a fire, according to recent Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notices.

Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked recalled cucumbers to a multi-state salmonella outbreak that has hospitalized 54 people and sickened more than 160; Kawasaki has recalled engine motors on several lawn and garden tractors that can overheat and cause a fire; and two brands of biometric gun safes are being recalled because unauthorized users can open them.

This week’s roundup of recalls is based on reports from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food & Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and product manufacturers.

Lighting That Killed 1 Recalled

The CPSC and Mount Prospect, Illinois-based Good Earth Lighting java announced the recall of more than 1.2 million Good Earth Rechargeable Integrated Lights following the report of a consumer who died, and another who was treated for smoke inhalation when the product overheated and caused a fire in their home last year.

Good Earth Lighting is aware of nine additional reports of lights overheating, including six that resulted in fires and property damage.

The recall involves rechargeable lights with model numbers starting with RE1122, RE1145, RE1362 and RE1250. The recalled lights were sold at hardware and home improvement stores nationwide, including Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Meijer, and Menards, and online at Goodearthlighting.com, Amazon.com, Lowes.com and QVC from October 2017 through January 2024 for about $20 for the single unit and about $35 for the bundle.

The lights’ lithium-ion batteries are intended for use as alternatives to permanently wired fixtures in areas such as closets, cupboards, staircases and any place where there are barriers to installing wired lights. The recalled lights measure about 12 inches long and are sold in packages of one or two units. They were sold in a variety of colors, including white, silver, almond, black and rose gold with a charging cable; and with or without a remote control and/or power adapter.

Consumers should stop using the lights immediately. For a free replacement light of at least equal value at the time of purchase, they should contact Good Earth Lighting at 800-291-8838 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday; by email at [email protected], or online here or here.

2 Deaths Linked To Adult Bed Rails

Medline Industries has recalled 1.5 million adult bed rails after incidents that led to the deaths of two people, a 76-year-old woman in Iowa and an 87-year-old woman in South Carolina.

The manufacturer said the recalled bed rails pose a risk of entrapment and asphyxia, as users can become trapped between the rail and the mattress.

The recall includes two models — the single model MDS6800BA and the three-pack model MDS6800BAH, both of which have “Medline” and the model number printed on a label located on the support frame near the vertical portion of the bed rail.

Consumers should stop using the bed rails immediately and contact Medline at 866-359-1704 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday; by email at [email protected] or online.

Cucumbers Linked To Salmonella Outbreak

Recalled cucumbers are linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in 25 states, the Centers for Disease Control said this week. The outbreak has hospitalized 54 people and sickened more than 160, a CDC investigation notice published Wednesday said.

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. has issued a recall for its cucumbers, whichwere shipped in bulk cartons in late May directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The recall began after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture informed the company that a product sample tested positive for Salmonella bacteria. The FDA is now investigating if the sample is related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak probe.

The states with the highest number of people who have fallen ill from the cucumbers include Pennsylvania, where 27 people have been sickened, New York (19), Florida (18) and Virginia (17).

Lawn Mowers May Catch Fire

Kawasaki Motors USA has recalled about 68,500 engines used in Bad Boy Mowers, BigDog, Bobcat, Cub Cadet, Hustler, John Deere, and Kubota brand lawn and garden equipment because the engines can overheat and catch fire.

The company said it has received eight reports of fires with the recalled engines, which are listed on the CPSC website. No injuries have been reported.

Customers who bought the affected equipment should stop using it immediately and contact Kawasaki, John Deere, Cub Cadet, Hustler, BigDog or Kubota, depending on the product owned, or an authorized dealer to schedule a free repair. Kawasaki and the mower manufacturers are contacting all known purchasers directly.

Unauthorized People Can Open Gun Safes

The locks on about 133,370 Sanctuary and Sports Afield biometric firearms safes can be opened by unauthorized users, posing a threat of injury or death, SA Consumer Products Inc. said in a recall notice. The company has taken 77 reports of unauthorized people opening safes gun owners thought were secure, but that no injuries have been reported.

The recall involves the Sanctuary Quick Access Biometric Home Safe, which has room for two firearms, and the Sports Afield Home Defense 4-Gun Biometric Safe, which can store four guns.

People should stop using the biometric feature of the recalled safes, remove the batteries and use only the key when storing firearms. A free repair kit is available from SA Consumer Products. More details are found on the CPSC website.

Cheese Sold At Costco May Contain Plastic

The Tillamook County Creamery Association sent a letter to Costco members warning that some cheeses sold at the warehouse stores may contain “foreign plastic materials.” The company said potentially affected products include 32-ounce “twin pack” containers of sliced Tillamook Colby Jack and Tillamook Monterey Jack cheeses.

Consumers are asked to return the products to Costco for a full refund. The cheeses were sold between May 9 and May 31 and have a “best if used by” date of Oct. 22, 2024. The cheeses were sold in the Northwest region, the letter said.

“If you have already consumed the product without issue, you do not need to take any action, as the likely presence of the foreign plastic material is very minimal,” the company said. “However, if you are experiencing any health concerns after eating the recalled product, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.”

Questions or concerns should be directed to Tillamook at [email protected] or at 855-562-3568.

Dog Food Potentially Contaminated With Metal

Mars Petcare US has recalled 315 bags of Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food because they are potentially contaminated with loose metal pieces.

The affected 44-pound bags of dog food are marked with lot code 410B2TXT02 and a best-by date of March 4, 2025.

The company has not received any reports of pet injuries or illnesses, but said consumers should stop using the dog food immediately, start monitoring pets who ate it for unusual behavior and contact a veterinarian if concerns arise.

The dog food was sold at Walmart stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

For more information, consumers should contact Mars Petcare at 800-525-5273 or online.