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Tag: CPSC

  • Weber recalls 3.2 million wire-bristle grill brushes

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    Weber is recalling more than 3.2 million metal wire-bristle grill brushes. The bristles can break off, get into food and cause serious injuries if swallowed, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. They’ve been sold nationwide since 2011.The CPSC said the small metal wires can detach during cleaning, stick to grill grates and end up in food. If ingested, they can lodge in the throat or digestive tract and cause internal injuries. Weber is aware of dozens of reports of bristles detaching, including cases that required medical treatment.The recall includes the following models:6277 – 12-inch brush with black plastic handle (sold 2021–2026)6278 – 18-inch brush with black plastic handle (sold 2021–2026)6463 – 12-inch brush with bamboo handle and metal scraper (sold 2011–2021)6464 – 18-inch brush with bamboo handle and metal scraper (sold 2011–2021)6493 – 21-inch brush with black plastic handle and metal binder (sold 2013–2021)6494 – 12-inch brush with black plastic handle (sold 2013–2021)The brushes were sold at major retailers nationwide and online for about $10 to $17.Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled brushes and contact Weber for a free replacement. The company is offering a nylon-bristle brush, which does not contain sharp metal wires that can break off and cause internal injuries if swallowed.More information is available on the CPSC website here.Stay Connected With the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, money-saving tips and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

    Weber is recalling more than 3.2 million metal wire-bristle grill brushes. The bristles can break off, get into food and cause serious injuries if swallowed, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. They’ve been sold nationwide since 2011.

    The CPSC said the small metal wires can detach during cleaning, stick to grill grates and end up in food. If ingested, they can lodge in the throat or digestive tract and cause internal injuries. Weber is aware of dozens of reports of bristles detaching, including cases that required medical treatment.

    The recall includes the following models:

    • 6277 – 12-inch brush with black plastic handle (sold 2021–2026)
    • 6278 – 18-inch brush with black plastic handle (sold 2021–2026)
    • 6463 – 12-inch brush with bamboo handle and metal scraper (sold 2011–2021)
    • 6464 – 18-inch brush with bamboo handle and metal scraper (sold 2011–2021)
    • 6493 – 21-inch brush with black plastic handle and metal binder (sold 2013–2021)
    • 6494 – 12-inch brush with black plastic handle (sold 2013–2021)

    Hearst OwnedConsumer Product Safety Commission

    Weber grill brushes recalled on Feb. 26, 2026

    The brushes were sold at major retailers nationwide and online for about $10 to $17.

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled brushes and contact Weber for a free replacement. The company is offering a nylon-bristle brush, which does not contain sharp metal wires that can break off and cause internal injuries if swallowed.

    More information is available on the CPSC website here.

    Stay Connected With the National Consumer Unit

    Get clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.

    Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, money-saving tips and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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  • Warnings about squishy gel fidget toys | Consumer Reports

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    THE TWO SUSPECTS ARE STILL ON THE RUN. IF YOUR KIDS LOVE THOSE SQUISHY FIDGET TOYS LIKE THIS ONE, THE ONES THEY CAN KIND OF SQUEEZE FOR STRESS RELIEF OR TO HELP THEM FOCUS. YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK BECAUSE THE NEW CONSUMER REPORTS INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT SOME OF THESE TOYS CAN ACTUALLY BREAK OPEN WHEN THEY’RE SQUEEZED. KCRA 3’S LEE ANNE DENYER SHOWS US HOW THE MATERIAL INSIDE COULD IRRITATE THE SKIN OR EVEN CAUSE CHEMICAL BURNS. LOVED BY KIDS, THESE BRIGHT, COLORFUL, SQUISHY BALLS ARE OFTEN MARKETED AS CALMING SENSORY TOOLS, BUT MANY PARENTS ARE SEEING A TREND. HUNDREDS OF ONE STAR REVIEWS ON AMAZON REPORTING THE TOYS POPPED WITHIN AN HOUR OR BROKE WITHIN TWO HOURS OF PLAYING WITH IT. PARENTS HAVE REPORTED THE STICKY GEL FROM SOME TOYS HAS LEFT KIDS WITH RED, IRRITATED OR EVEN PEELING SKIN. REPORTS FILED WITH THE FEDERAL SAFER PRODUCTS. GOV SITE CLAIM THAT CHILDREN SUFFERED SEVERE SKIN IRRITATION AFTER THEIR SQUISHY TOYS BURST OPEN. BREAKAGE ALONE IS A CONCERN. BUT WHEN WE SAW REPORTS OF KIDS WITH RED OR PEELING SKIN AND EVEN CHEMICAL BURN LIKE INJURIES, THAT REALLY RAISED SERIOUS QUESTIONS, AND IT MADE US WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S INSIDE OF THESE COMPANIES. DON’T HAVE TO LIST THE INGREDIENTS OF WHAT’S INSIDE THESE SQUISHY TOYS. SOME DO AND SOME DON’T. THAT’S WHY KR SCIENTISTS DECIDED TO TEST SOME OF THESE POPULAR SQUISHY TOYS. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT’S INSIDE. SCIENTISTS BOUGHT EIGHT SQUISHY GEL TOYS, BROKE THEM OPEN, AND TESTED THE PH OF THE GEL INSIDE. SEVEN HAD A NEUTRAL PH. ONE OF THEM, THE NEATO GROOVY GLOB, HAD A PH LEVEL OF TWO, WHICH IS AS ACIDIC AS LEMON JUICE OR VINEGAR. SEE, OUR SAFETY EXPERTS SAY THAT THE LEVEL OF ACIDITY COULD POSE A RISK OF CHEMICAL BURNS, ESPECIALLY ON CHILDREN’S DELICATE SKIN. THE MAKER OF NIDO CHALLENGED CONSUMER REPORTS PH TEST RESULTS AND SAYS THAT THE INNER GEL IS MADE OF POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, WHICH IS SAFER FOR SKIN CONTACT. THE COMPANY ADDED THAT THEY’VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE CPSC AND THAT AFTER THE SALE OF 100 MILLION NIDO TOYS, THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN FOUR REPORTS OF INCIDENTS TO THE CPSC. TIKTOK TRENDS HAVE ALSO BEEN ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO MICROWAVE SQUISHY TOYS TO MAKE THEM SOFTER. NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO THIS. CONSUMER REPORTS FOUND SOME TOYS EXPLODED AFTER JUST 15 SECONDS, REACHING TEMPERATURES ABOVE 200 DEGREES AT THAT TEMPERATURE, EXPERTS WARN. INSTANT BURNS ARE LIKELY. THESE GEL TOYS CAN BE A LOT OF FUN, BUT IT’S IMPORTANT FOR KIDS TO USE THEM SAFELY. NEVER MICROWAVE OR FREEZE THEM. DON’T LEAVE THEM IN THE CAR. DON’T GIVE GEL FILLED TOYS TO BABIES OR TODDLERS. AND IF ONE DOES BREAK ON YOUR CHILD’S SKIN, WASH IT OFF RIGHT AWAY AND THROW OUT THE TOY. LEE ANNE DENYER KCRA THREE NEWS. I HAVE TO SAY, AFTER BORROWING THIS FROM OUR PRODUCER, SARAH, IT IS QUITE LOVELY. CAN I TRY? YEAH. OK

    Warnings about squishy gel fidget toys | Consumer Reports

    Updated: 6:59 PM PST Dec 19, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    If your kids love those soft, squishy fidget toys, the ones you squeeze for stress relief, you might want to take a closer look. A new Consumer Reports investigation found that some of these toys can break open and what’s inside may irritate kids’ skin, or even cause chemical burns.Loved by kids, the bright, colorful squishy balls are often marketed as calming sensory tools. But many parents are seeing a trend: hundreds of one-star reviews on Amazon reporting the toys “popped within an hour,” or “broke within two hours of playing with it.”Parents have reported that the sticky gel from some toys has left kids with red, irritated, or even peeling skin.Reports filed with the federal SaferProducts.gov site claim that children suffered severe skin irritation after their squishy toys burst open.Breakage alone is a concern, but when you saw reports of kids with red, or peeling, or even chemical-burn-like injuries, that really raised serious questions, and it made us want to take a look at what’s inside these.Companies don’t have to list the ingredients of what’s inside these squishy toys. Some do, and some don’t. That’s why CR scientists decided to test some of these popular squishy toys to learn more about what’s inside.Scientists bought eight squishy toys, broke them open and tested the pH of the gel inside. Seven had a neutral pH. One of them, the Nee-Doh “Groovy Glob,” had a pH level of 2, as acidic as lemon juice or vinegar.CR safety experts say that level of acidity could pose a risk of chemical burns, especially on children’s delicate skin.Schylling, the maker of Nee-Doh, challenged Consumer Reports’ pH test results and says that the inner gel is made of polyvinyl alcohol, which is safe for skin contact. The company added that they’ve been in contact with the CPSC and that after the sale of 100 million Nee-Doh toys, there have only been four reports of incidents to the CPSC.TikTok trends have also been encouraging people to microwave squishy toys to make them softer. No one should ever do this. Consumer Reports found that some toys exploded after just 15 seconds, reaching temperatures above 200 degrees. At that temperature, experts warn, instant burns are likely.The gel toys can be a lot of fun, but it’s important for kids to use them safely. Never microwave or freeze. Don’t leave them in the car. Don’t give gel-filled toys to babies or toddlers.And if one does break on your child’s skin, wash it off right away and throw out the toy.You can read Consumer Reports’ full investigation, including safety tips and responses from regulators at CR.org.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    If your kids love those soft, squishy fidget toys, the ones you squeeze for stress relief, you might want to take a closer look. A new Consumer Reports investigation found that some of these toys can break open and what’s inside may irritate kids’ skin, or even cause chemical burns.

    Loved by kids, the bright, colorful squishy balls are often marketed as calming sensory tools. But many parents are seeing a trend: hundreds of one-star reviews on Amazon reporting the toys “popped within an hour,” or “broke within two hours of playing with it.”

    Parents have reported that the sticky gel from some toys has left kids with red, irritated, or even peeling skin.

    Reports filed with the federal SaferProducts.gov site claim that children suffered severe skin irritation after their squishy toys burst open.

    Breakage alone is a concern, but when you saw reports of kids with red, or peeling, or even chemical-burn-like injuries, that really raised serious questions, and it made us want to take a look at what’s inside these.

    Companies don’t have to list the ingredients of what’s inside these squishy toys. Some do, and some don’t. That’s why CR scientists decided to test some of these popular squishy toys to learn more about what’s inside.

    Scientists bought eight squishy toys, broke them open and tested the pH of the gel inside. Seven had a neutral pH. One of them, the Nee-Doh “Groovy Glob,” had a pH level of 2, as acidic as lemon juice or vinegar.

    CR safety experts say that level of acidity could pose a risk of chemical burns, especially on children’s delicate skin.

    Schylling, the maker of Nee-Doh, challenged Consumer Reports’ pH test results and says that the inner gel is made of polyvinyl alcohol, which is safe for skin contact. The company added that they’ve been in contact with the CPSC and that after the sale of 100 million Nee-Doh toys, there have only been four reports of incidents to the CPSC.

    TikTok trends have also been encouraging people to microwave squishy toys to make them softer. No one should ever do this. Consumer Reports found that some toys exploded after just 15 seconds, reaching temperatures above 200 degrees. At that temperature, experts warn, instant burns are likely.

    The gel toys can be a lot of fun, but it’s important for kids to use them safely. Never microwave or freeze. Don’t leave them in the car. Don’t give gel-filled toys to babies or toddlers.

    And if one does break on your child’s skin, wash it off right away and throw out the toy.

    You can read Consumer Reports’ full investigation, including safety tips and responses from regulators at CR.org.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • NordicTrack Home Fitness Machines Recalled After Reports of Fires

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    NordicTrack rowing machines have been recalled in the U.S. and Canada over concerns that the machines can catch fire, according to an announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

    The problem with the machines involves the screen console, which can overheat and ignite. There have been six reports of smoking or melting of the screens, and two reports of fire, according to the CPSC. There has been at least $6,000 in property damage, but no reports of injuries.

    The NordicTrack machines were sold between November 2018 and April 2022 online and in stores at:

    • Amazon
    • ABT
    • Best Buy
    • Dick’s Sporting Goods
    • Nebraska Furniture
    • nordictrack.com

    The rowing machines, which come in black, gray and white, were produced in China and imported by iFIT Inc. of Logan, Utah. They retail for $1,700.

    “Consumers should immediately stop using and unplug the recalled rowing machines,” the CPSC said in a statement. “Consumers should contact iFIT to arrange for a free home repair by an authorized technician in the form of a replacement screen console.”

    The model numbers for the rowing machines that have been recalled include:

    • NTRW19147.0
    • NTRW19147.1
    • NTRW19147.2
    • NTRW19147.3

    The model number is visible on a decal attached to the rower base, according to the recall from the CPSC. The back legs for the machines being recalled have “RW900” printed on them in white letters.

    The last NordicTrack recall happened in early 2024 and involved dumbbells that included an electronic eight selector that responded to voice prompts. The voice-controlled adjustments could allow the user to just say how heavy they wanted the weight to be before they picked it up, but the weights could become dislodged and cause injuries.

    Overheating electronics is a common reason for recalls, whether it’s smartwatches or mini-fridges, or power banks.

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    Matt Novak

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