Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for December 15, 2006.

As the holiday season approaches, CPSC this week announced the largest holiday light recall in the agency’s history. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., is voluntarily recalling about 2.3 million Hobby Lobby Brand Christmas Lights sets.

The lights have undersized wires which can separate from the plugs or the light sockets, posing an electric shock and fire hazard to consumers.

CPSC has received one report of a minor shock when a consumer touched a light string. Hobby Lobby has received one report of melting wires. They were sold at Hobby Lobby stores nationwide from June 2006 through early December 2006. Consumers should stop using the lights immediately and return them to the nearest Hobby Lobby store to receive a Hobby Lobby exchange card.

For more information, contact the Hobby Lobby Call Center at (800) 326-7931 anytime.

Also this week, Nintendo of America Inc. is voluntarily replacing about 2 million Wrist Straps Used with Controllers for the Nintendo Wii Video Game System.

If consumers swing the hand-held “Wii Remote” game controllers using excessive force and accidentally let go, the cord connecting the controller to the wrist strap can break, potentially causing the controller to strike bystanders or objects.

Nintendo has received reports of cords on wrist straps breaking, including three reports of minor injuries not requiring medical attention. All of these incidents occurred when consumers were playing the game, “Wii Sports.”

The wrist straps are sold with Nintendo's Wii video game system. Consumers should contact the firm for a replacement wrist strap at (800) 859-4519.

Finally this week, Wal-Mart Stores are voluntarily recalling about 56,000 Holiday Time Stuffed Christmas Beagles.

The red pompoms on the wreath attached to the beagle’s mouth could detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

No injuries or incidents have been reported.

The stuffed animal is a brown and white beagle with a red scarf and Santa hat trimmed in red and white stripes. They were sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from September 2006 through December 2006 for about $3.

Consumers should immediately take the stuffed animal away from young children and return it to the nearest Wal-Mart store for a full refund.

For more information, contact Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278.

For more on these items or the 11 other recalls announced this week, you can visit our Web site at www.CPSC.Gov.. And, until next time, stay safe.

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