In the past few months, Toyota Motor Corp. has issued recalls of more than 7.5 million Toyota and Lexus models because of problems with the accelerators. In some cases, the problems have been blamed on floor mats that slide out of place, pinning the gas pedal to the floor and causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Also, in an unprecedented move, Toyota announced it would temporarily halt making and selling some of its top-selling vehicles due to concerns about the gas pedals.

So far, the following Toyota and Lexus vehicles have been recalled:

• 2007-2010 Toyota Camry

• 2004-2009 Toyota Prius

• 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon

• 2005-2010 Tacoma

• 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra

• 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350

• 2006-2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350

• 2008-2010 Highlander

• 2009-2010 Corolla

• 2009-2010 Venza

• 2009-2010 Matrix

• 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

• 2009-2010 RAV4

• 2009-2010 Corolla

• 2009-2010 Matrix

• 2005-2010 Avalon

• 2007-2010 Camry

• 2010 Highlander

• 2007-2010 Tundra

• 2008-2010 Sequoia

Toyota is offering to repair or replace defective gas pedals in the recalled vehicles. The company also plans to replace floor mats for some of the recalled vehicles.

Although no illnesses associated with the products have been reported, the FDA advises pet-owners not to handle or feed them to their pets. A routine testing of the dog treats in December turned up a positive finding for salmonella. Follow-up investigations found deficiencies in the packaging and manufacturing process.

The affected Merrick Beef Filet Squares were packaged in a 10-ounce green, red and tan re-sealable plastic bag. The “best by” date is printed on the top portion of the bag, which is usually torn off when the bag is opened. If you are unable to determine the “best by” date, discontinue use of the product.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. Infected pets may become lethargic and have diarrhea, fever and vomiting. If your pet has consumed the recalled product or exhibits any of the above symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Conair Corp. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission said there have been 14 reports of hot water forcefully spilling out of the water reservoir on the mops. Two consumers have suffered minor burns that required medical attention, officials said.

Conair’s Lysol Steam Cleaning Mops with model numbers SM10L or SM10LR are included in today’s recall. The model number is printed on the bottom of the mop under the microfiber cloth, officials said.

The recalled cleaning products were sold at department, drug, hardware and home improvement stores and mass merchandisers across the United States as well as on the Internet from September 2006 through September 2009 for about $40. They were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Lysol mops and contact Conair to receive a free replacement steam cleaning mop, the CPSC said.

Caramia Furniture and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard of Ontario, Canada distributed the cribs, which were manufactured in Slovenia. The company received 18 reports of slats detaching from the rails of the crib, although no injuries were reported. The recalled cribs were sold at children’s product and mass merchandise stores from September 2002 through December 2005.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Diane crib and contact Caramia furniture to receive a replacement drop side. The free replacement will be available starting in March 2010.

Hardware on cribs should be tightened regularly to ensure that the crib is sturdy. When using a drop side crib, make sure that the drop side or other moving parts operate correctly.

Recalled products include junior-strength Motrin, children’s Tylenol grape meltaway tablets, extra-strength Tylenol rapid release gelcaps and Motrin caplets. McNeil-PPC, the branch of Johnson & Johnson that manufactured the recalled products, said it received complaints about an “unusual moldy, musty or mildew-like odor.”

The FDA has issued a warning letter to McNeil, giving the company 15 days to report back about its efforts to address the issue and prevent it from happening again. Johnson & Johnson said it is investigating and will stop shipping products with the chemicals on wooden pallets.

The company first initiated a voluntary recall of Tylenol Arthritis Relief Caplets at the end of December after customers reported stomach problems. The number of recalled bottles now totals approximately 60 million.

The products were made in Vietnam and distributed at Pier 1 Imports in the U.S. and Canada from September through December 2009. The company has received three reports of the glitter burning, although no injuries have been reported. The recalled silver lights have a SKU number of 2410335, and the recalled gold lights have a SKU of 2410322.

The company also recalled about 67,000 Santa ceramic tea light holders that also pose a fire hazard. Pier 1 has received three reports of the holders burning. If you purchased the holders between September and December 2009, discard them immediately. You can receive additional details by calling 800-245-4595.

Some dog treats made by Merrick Pet Care have been recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria and pose a risk of serious illness to pets and their human owners alike.

Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs were sold across the United States in retail stores and over the Internet. Food and Drug Administration testing confirmed some of the products carried potentially dangerous bacteria that can cause mild to severe symptoms ranging from fever, nausea and vomiting in people and diarrhea, loss of appetite, and loss of appetite in dogs.

So far, no illnesses have been reported linked to the products, according to the FDA. However, dogs who consume the treats and people who handle the products may become ill.

The recalled Merrick Beef Filet Squares were packaged in a 10-ounce green, red and tan resealable plastic bag labeled “Best By 111911.”

CPSC said in a news release that the one piece metal bars supporting the floorboard of the bassinet attachment could come out of the fabric sleeves and create an uneven sleeping surface. This could result in positional asphyxiation or suffocation. Safety First Disney Care Center and Eddie Bauer Complete Care Yard are included in the recall.

The play yards were distributed at Babie “R” Us, Kmart, Sears, Target and Walmart from January 2007 through October 2009 for between $100 and $130. The CPSC is warning consumers to immediately stop using the bassinet attachment in the play yard and contact Dorel Juvenile Group for a free repair kit including replacement bassinet fabric, bassinet bars and installment instructions. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled grill has a digital thermometer on the hood, stainless steel top and a global LP regulator. Lot number 780-2176 is printed on the underside of the grill’s stand. The grills were sold exclusively at JCPenney stores nationwide from February 2009 through September 2009 for between $190 and $600.

CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the grills. To ensure that the grills are not usable, remove the gas regulator and hose assembly. Return the regulator and hose to the Catalog/Customer Service Desk at any JCPenney store for a full refund.

The store has received 11 reports of fires resulting from inadequate drainage, but no injuries have been reported. If you need assistance in disconnecting the gas regulator and hose, contact JCPenney toll-free at (888) 333-6063.

Also keep an eye out for non-organic dry roasted hazelnuts sold in bulk in stores in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington and non-organic raw hazelnuts sold in bulk in Oregon and Washington. No illnesses have been reported, according to the company.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. For more information, call 512-542-0656.

The sweeping safety action, announced this week by the government and the window covering industry, is the latest massive recall of shades and blinds. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the products have caused at least eight deaths and 16 near-strangulations of children since 2001.

About one million Roman shades and roller blinds were ordered recalled in October 2009 due to strangulation risks.

The recalled products were sold under many brand names at major retailers such as Pottery Barn, Wal-Mart, and JCPenney. They are installed in millions of American homes, including those with young children who may be killed or seriously injured in accidents involving the window coverings.

Children may get their head or neck stuck in the strings that allow the window shades to be rolled up or down, safety officials said. Children may also be seriously injured when they get their neck stuck between the loops in the Roman shade fabric and the hanging cords, according to an Associated Press report.

The CPSC and the window covering industry encourage parents to carefully examine all shades and blinds in their homes to make sure the products have no accessible cords. Parents and other child care providers also are advised not to place cribs, beds, or other furniture close to windows, since infants and toddlers can climb on the furniture and reach the cords.

The Food and Drug Administration and the company announced the voluntary recall today after testing determined the products contain a form of Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug that is not listed on the labeling of the dietary supplements and is not an approved ingredient in the non-prescription drugs.

Potentially Fatal Drug Reactions

Erectile dysfunction drug ingredients may negatively interact with some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or high cholesterol who take nitroglycerin may be at risk of fatal injuries from undeclared drug ingredients in the recalled dietary supplements.

Specific Lot Numbers, Brands Recalled

The following brands and lot numbers of supplements were included in the recall:

• Rock Hard T12-705-09, R52-705-09

• 72 hrs B54-708-09

• Stamin It R2-705-08

• Finally On Demand R26-706-09, R27-706-09

• Sexual Surge H49-705-09

• Staminil T25, 705-09

• Virect T29-705-09

Amby Baby is aware of two infants suffocating this summer in Georgia and Oregon. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 24,000 of the beds, which were sold online at Ambybaby.com and other Internet retailers for around $250. Consumers should immediately stop using the beds and contact Amby Baby USA for a free repair kit. Amby’s website says the kit will not be available until January 2010 at the earliest.

The hammock-like beds were marketed to parents of babies with colic or reflux. Every time a child stirs in his sleep, the bed gently moves up and down, or side to side. Health officials say that babies are safest in cribs or bassinets with a firm bottom support and no soft bedding where they could easily become entangled.

Unilever United States Inc. has issued the recall in cooperation with the FDA. Toss all canned Slim-Fast products, regardless of flavor, expiration date, lot code or UPC number. The cans are sold individually or packaged in paperboard cartons containing 4, 6 or twelve steel cans labeled 11 FL OZ (325 mL) each. The recall does not include any other Slim-Fast products, such as snack bars or powdered shakes.

Unilever is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue. In the meantime, contact the company at 800-896-9479 for a full refund. “The probability of serious adverse health consequences is a remote,” states a Unilever press release.

The CPSC alleged that Excelligence imported more than 33,000 units of children’s products that contained lead paint above the 0.06 limit between August 2000 and August 2007. As a result of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the regulatory limit was reduced to 0.009 percent on August 14, 2009.

The products, recalled in late 2007 and early 2008, included shaving paintbrushes, a giant measuring chart and Tic Tac Turtle Toss play mats.

The CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports related to the product recall or recalls related to the Excelligence products. For more information, visit https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.