In two cases, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the toys' battery charger or wires could overheat -- sparking house fires in at least five cases -- as well as burns suffered by children and adults.

In the third case, the ride-on motorcycle's pedal could get stuck in the on position, potentially injuring children who could not get off the moving bike.

Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately and contact the manufacturer for new chargers or repair kits.

Tek Nek Toys Recalls 294,000 Vehicles

The government agency said Thursday that Tek Nek Toys, of Mokena, Ill., was recalling about 294,000 battery-powered children's riding vehicles sold under the Prowler, Dodge Ram, Corvette, SPX Motorcycle and Honda model names.

Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately and contact Tek Nek at 877-446-7719 to get a free new charger.

The CPSC and Tek Nek have received 17 reports of battery chargers and wires overheating, while vehicles were being charged. Two consumers burned their hands while unplugging or charging the vehicles, the agency said.

The Tek Nek vehicles being recalled are powered by one 6-volt battery and were manufactured before April 2000.

The vehicles were built for children aged 1-1/2 to 4 years old. They were sold nationwide from July 1998 through April 2000 for about $89.

Empire Industries Recalling 113,000 Vehicles

The CPSC said Empire Industries (EMPI.BO), of Tarboro, N.C., was recalling about 113,000 similar riding vehicles, marketed as ``Power Drivers'' or ``Buddy L,'' for repairs because their battery chargers could also overheat.

CPSC and Empire had received about 100 reports of the vehicles' chargers overheating, melting or burning, including five house fires that resulted in at least $100,000 in property damage. One child and one adult burned their hands on overheated charger jacks, the agency said.

Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately and contact Empire at 800-872-1869 to get a free, new charger adapter with an overcurrent fuse.

The Empire vehicles being recalled are powered by two 6-volt batteries, and were manufactured from July 1995 to December 1996.

The vehicles are made of plastic and were sold under the following model names: Go-Kart, Beach Splash, Sun Dream, Trail Tracker, Rescue Patrol, and Chevy Z-71 Pick-Up Truck.

Toy stores and retail catalogs sold the vehicles nationwide from July 1995 through December 1997 for about $130 to $250.

Fisher-Price Recalls 218,000 Ride-On Motorcycles

The CPSC said Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y., was recalling about 218,000 battery-powered Power Wheels Harley-Davidson motorcycle ride-ons for repair.

It said the foot pedals, which activate the ride-ons, could get stuck in the ``on'' position, and children could be injured when the vehicle failed to stop and struck other objects.

Fisher-Price had received nine reports of the foot pedal on these vehicles sticking, the CPSC said. In one case, a 3-year-old boy suffered cuts and bruises when his motorcycle ride-on ran into a home.

The recalled Power Wheels Harley-Davidson motorcycle ride-ons have model numbers 74290, 74293 -- with a red body -- and 74298 -- with a black body.

The vehicles were intended for children 3 and older, and the vehicles' speed is 2.5 or 5 mph.

Toy, mass merchandise and discount stores, and Harley-Davidson dealerships sold the motorcycle ride-ons nationwide from September 1999 through August 2000 for about $190 for the red vehicle and $700 for the black vehicle.

Consumers should stop using these motorcycle ride-ons immediately, and call Fisher-Price at 888-289-9292 to get a free foot pedal repair kit.

More information is also available on the CPSC's Web site.

Source: Andrea Shalal-Esa/Reuters

[Posted 9/01/2000]