Product recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Variflex Inc., of Moorpark, Calif.; NHS Inc., of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and First Team Sports Inc., of Anoka, Minn., are voluntarily recalling bicycle helmets. These helmets failed required impact testing, violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. Riders wearing these helmets are not adequately protected from falls, and could suffer severe head injuries or death.

No injuries or incidents involving these helmets have been reported. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

-- Variflex Inc. is recalling about 240,000 "X-Games Aggressive" bicycle helmets. Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately, and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or replacement helmet. For information, call Variflex at (800) 248-5327 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

-- NHS Inc. is recalling about 1,100 "TSG Metallic Gold," 1,000 "TSG Gloss Black" and 500 "TSG Foundation Blue" helmets. They have serial numbers beginning SN: 00170 or SN: 00171, and a date code of January, February and April 2000 written on the white label inside the helmets.Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately and return them to NHS Inc., not to the store where purchased, for a refund. For information and instructions on how to return the helmet, call NHS at (877) 743-7820 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

-- First Team Sports Inc. is recalling about 1,000 "Guardian Junior Helmets." They have model numbers 007471, 007958, 009406, 009437, 009455 or 009830, and date code "2000/04" written on a label inside the helmets. Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately, and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For information, call First Team Sports at (800) 528-5872 between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.