Consumers Corner
As long as man keeps screwing up in manufacturing, we’ll try to get you the info that they really don’t want us to talk about!

About 142,000 Toshiba AC Adapters sold with portable DVD players are being withdrawn because they may fail to function, causing the DVD player to overheat, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

The recall applies to the AC adapter sold with the DVD model SD-P1600.

Two associated incidents involving minor damage to the DVD player have been reported to the company.

The DVD players were sold in U.S. stores from January 2005 through April 2006 for between $200 and $230 US.

Consumers should stop using the AC adapter and contact the company for a replacement.

Recall notice

Company website

Seattle-based Starbucks is recalling about 270,000 plastic cups sold in Canada and the U.S. because they pose a safety danger to young children.

The recall announced Tuesday applies to the ladybug, turtle, bunny and chick 300-millilitre cups sold at Starbucks stores from May 2006 through August 2007 for about $6 US.

The company warns if the cup is dropped, pieces may break and come loose. Young children may choke on the small parts or cut themselves on the jagged edges of the broken cup.

Starbucks has learned of seven reports of cups breaking, including two incidents of choking. No injuries were reported.

About 20,000 cups affected by the recall were sold in Canada, the company said.

Consumers should take the cup from young children and return it to the store for a refund.

Recall notice

Company website

Safety Recall Notice

DEWALT DG2900 GAS GENERATORS

DEWALT Industrial Tool Co. is recalling to repair certain DG2900 Gas Generators manufactured during the period December 12, 2001 (date code 200150DG) through August 30, 2006 (date code 200635DG) because a ground fault circuit interrupter (“GFCI”) installed on the Product may not operate properly, thereby creating the risk of potential shock.

The location of the date code is shown on the photograph below.

If your cut-out tool is affected, STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY, and call DEWALT toll-free:

1-888-742-9108

Between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday to arrange for a free repair.

Recall done in cooperation with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Black & Decker is voluntarily recalling about 272,000 BV400 Type 1 Blower/Vacs, the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission has announced.

An unstable connection between the machine and an extension cord may lead to overheating, posing a fire hazard.

The company has received 187 incident reports of smoking, melting and in some instances fire. Seven people suffered minor burns but none required medical treatment.

The products were sold from April 2004 through July 2005 for about $70 US.

Consumers should stop using the blower/vacuums immediately and contact the company for a repair kit.

Company website

Recall notice

Tu-Wire® Dimming Ballasts Used With Compact Fluorescent Lights Recalled for Shock Hazard

August 16, 2006

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Tu-Wire ballasts used with dimmable compact flourescent lights. Consumers should stop using the products immediately unless otherwise instructed. These ballasts, if not properly grounded in accordance with the National Electrical Code, can present a risk of electric shock to persons who come in contact with the ballast or with a light fixture that incorporates the ballast, such as when a consumer changes a fluorescent lamp bulb.

The recalled ballast is used to dim compact fluorescent lighting fixtures. The ballasts are not visible once installed. The ballasts were included with light fixtures sold under numerous brand names. Consumers should not touch these fixtures, since they could pose a shock hazard. The fixtures with these ballasts have a 120 VAC application, the fixture housing is for a 26W or 32W four-pin plug-in compact fluorescent lamp installed after July 1998. Most of the lights were sold for commercial use, though some were sold for consumer use. This recall does not involve light fixtures containing incandescent or halogen lamps or fixtures with screw-in compact fluorescent lamps or straight tube (linear) fluorescent lamps.

The products were sold by light fixture manufacturers, electrical distributors and electrical contractors from July 1998 through May 2006.

Consumers should not touch these fixtures, since they could pose a shock hazard. Consumers should contact Lutron Electronics to arrange for free replacement of the recalled ballasts.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Lutron Electronics toll-free at (866) 793-4270 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.lutron.com.

Black & Decker Expands Recall of Cordless Electric Lawnmowers Due to Fire Hazard

August 16, 2006

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Black & Decker and Craftsman Brand Cordless Electric Lawnmowers. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. An electrical component in the lawnmowers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Note: 140,000 of these Black & Decker and Craftsman brand lawnmowers were recalled in September 2002, but also are included in this recall.

Black & Decker has received 10 additional reports of electrical components overheating, including one additional report of a fire extending beyond the mower. The original recall involved 11 reports of electrical components overheating. One of these resulted in a minor hand burn and nine resulted in reports of minor property damage extending beyond the mower.

The mowers were sold under both the Black & Decker and Craftsman brand names. The recalled Black & Decker mowers have the model CMM1000 or CMM1000R and are labeled as Type 1 through Type 4, both of which are located on the silver and black label affixed to the rear door of the mower. Mowers labeled as Type 5 are not included in this recall. The Black & Decker mowers have either an orange or green deck with a black motor cover. The Craftsman-brand mowers have model number 900.370520 and include all date codes and types. The model number is located on the silver and black label affixed to the rear door of the mower. The Craftsman mowers have a dark green deck with a black motor cover.

The lawnmovers were sold at home center, hardware and discount stores, and authorized Black & Decker dealers from February 1996 through December 2005. Craftsman-brand mowers were sold at Sears and Orchard Supply Hardware stores from January 1998 through December 2000.

All consumers should stop using the lawnmowers immediately and call for information on receiving a free inspection and repair if necessary. Consumers who had their mowers repaired as a result of the previous recall should have their mowers again inspected and repaired, if necessary, as part of this recall.

For additional information, consumers with Black & Decker mowers should contact Black & Decker toll-free at (866) 229-5570 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.blackanddecker.com. Consumers with Craftsman-brand lawnmowers should call (888) 375-9741 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday.

Dell Announces Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries Due To Fire Hazard

August 15, 2006

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Dell-branded lithium-ion batteries made with cells manufactured by Sony. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. These lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

About 2.7 million battery packs (an additional 1.4 million battery packs were sold outside the U.S.)

Dell has received six reports of batteries overheating, resulting in property damage to furniture and personal effects. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled batteries were sold with or sold separately to be used with the following Dell notebook computers:

• Latitude™ D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, D810;
   
• Inspiron™ 6000, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 500m, 510m, 600m, 6400, E1505, 700m, 710m, 9400, E1705;
   
• Dell Precision™ M20, M60, M70 and M90 mobile workstations; and
   
• XPS,™ XPS Gen2, XPS M170 and XPS M1710.

“Dell” and one of the following markings are printed on the batteries: “Made in Japan,” “Made in China,” or “Battery Cell Made in Japan Assembled in China.” The identification number for each battery appears on a white sticker.

They were sold through Dell’s Web site, phone and direct sales as part of a service replacement program, and catalogs from April 2004 through July 2006.

Consumers should stop using these recalled batteries immediately and contact Dell to receive a replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, ejecting the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.

For additional information, contact Dell toll-free at (866) 342-0011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, log on to the firm’s Web site at www.dellbatteryprogram.com, or write to: Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Recall, 9701 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas 78758.
 

Safety Recall
Strike First fire extinguishers recalled for repair
February 7, 2006

Strike First Corporation has announced a recall [PDF] of certain Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. The fire extinguishers can fail to discharge properly when the trigger is activated, which puts consumers at risk of fire-related injuries.

SFC America, the U.S. distributor of the product, has received three reports of the fire extinguishers failing to discharge properly when activated. No injuries have been reported.

The recall includes Strike First (Diamond) 2.5 lb and 5 lb dry chemical fire extinguishers with model numbers WBSF-ABC110P, WBDL-ABC310P, and WBDL-ABC340P. The recalled fire extinguishers have the following serial numbers (located on the extinguisher’s label, below the ‘ULC’ mark:

The fire extinguishers are designed for commercial, industrial, multi-residential and vehicle applications.

Consumers with fire extinguishers included in the recall should immediately contact your fire extinguisher service company to request that the units be retrofitted, or contact Strike First Corporation at:

777 Tapscott Rd.
Scarborough, Ont.
M1X 1A2
1-888-575-1132

Costco Led-Light Recall

Costco has issued a product safety recall for white and blue outdoor LED Christmas lights that were sold between August and December 2005. Some customers have reported incidents of electrical malfunction. Costco will provide a full refund. The items are LED Outdoor Christmas Lights: White, Costco item number 501701: Blue, Costco item number 01702, both manufactured by Universal Lights. For more information call Costco at 1-800-463-3783

LG Electronics and Kenmore Elite Trio three-door refrigerators recalled
June 30, 2005

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with LG Electronics Inc. and Sears, Roebuck and Co., have announced a voluntary retrofit of about 20,000 LG and Kenmore Elite Trio three-door refrigerators. Consumers should contact the manufacturer or retailer for further instruction.

A faulty component in the condenser fan motor can short circuit. This could cause the condenser fan motor to overheat, posing a potential fire hazard to consumers.

LG Electronics has received 82 reports of incidents involving a condenser fan motor failure due to a failed capacitor arcing and smoking. There has been smoke damage in a few incidents. There have been no injuries.

The recalled refrigerators are three-door, 21 to 25 cubic foot units with a bottom freezer. The refrigerators come in titanium, stainless steel, bisque, white or black. Brand names are identified on the door at the top right of the units and the interior data plate. The units have the following model and serial numbers located on the data plate inside the fresh food section of the refrigerator door:

*Note: Not all refrigerators within the serial number range are included in the recall. Consumers should call LG or Sears to determine whether their refrigerator is included in the recall.

The Kenmore brand refrigerators were sold at Sears stores and the LG brand refrigerators were sold at other major retailers from May 2004 through May 2005 for between $1,400 and $2,400 US.

Consumers should contact Sears or LG to arrange for a free in-home repair.

LG can be reached toll-free at (888) 294-5782 or Sears at (800) 659-7026 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday

Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaner recall
April 18, 2005

The recalled vacuums have defective on-off switches that can overheat the handle and tool holder areas of the vacuum, resulting in a fire hazard.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Hoover Co., of North Canton, Ohio. (Hoover Co. is part of the Maytag Corp.), have announced a voluntary recall of about 636,000 Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaners. The recalled vacuums have defective on-off switches that can overheat the handle and tool holder areas of the vacuum, resulting in a fire hazard. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Maytag has received 249 reports of vacuums overheating, which caused the handle area to smoke, melt or catch fire. One minor burn injury requiring no medical attention was reported.

Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaners are plastic, upright vacuums with the brand name “Hoover” and words “Self Propelled” printed on the front of the product. The model and serial numbers are printed on a label on the back of the vacuum.

The following model numbers are included in the recall:

• U6423-900
• U6425-900
• U6425-950
• U6445-900
• U6445-960
• U6449-900
• U6450-900
• U6451-900
• U6455-900

The model and serial numbers are printed on a label on the back of the vacuum.

Only those Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaners manufactured between May 1998 and November 1999 are included in this recall. The recalled models include serial numbers 0598xxxxxxxx through 1199xxxxxxxx, with the first four digits of the serial number indicating the month and year of production (e.g., 0598xxxxxxxx is May 1998).

Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and contact Maytag to obtain the name and address of the nearest Hoover repair centre to schedule a free repair. Consumers should not return their vacuum cleaners to retailers.

Call Maytag Corp. toll-free at (800) 250-6075 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firms’ websites at www.maytag.com or www.hoover.com.

Counterfeit power bar and extension cord warning March 31, 2005

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is warning Canadian consumers to be wary of counterfeit power bars and extension cords that are known to be a shock and fire hazard.

The warning pertains to counterfeit electrical power bars, orange heavy-duty extension cords, and assorted household extension cords bearing forged Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification markings.

When tested by Underwriters Laboratories, the counterfeit extension cords melted and caught fire within a matter of minutes. The power bars were found to have undersized wiring and no surge suppression. They were also found to have reverse polarity wiring which is a shock hazard and a plastic casing which ignited immediately since it was not made of fire resistant material.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are two of the most widely recognized names in product safety testing. “Knowingly selling and distributing hazardous counterfeit products such as these is a threat to public safety and to each and every person who purchases them,” said Constable Judy Laurence of the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Federal Enforcement Section. “It also defrauds retailers who are selling legitimate products and undermines public confidence in the safety certification process.”

The RCMP Greater Toronto Area Federal Enforcement Section have charged two Toronto-area men and a Toronto import-export company with four counts each of dealing in counterfeit products.

Microsoft Power Cord Replacement for Xbox
February 18, 2005

Microsoft Corp. is replacing the power cords on 14.1 million Xbox® consoles worldwide. The replacement cords are designed to protect consumers and their Xbox consoles from rare electrical component failures that can pose a fire hazard.

Fewer than one in 10,000 consoles have experienced these component failures, and, in almost all instances, any damage caused by these failures was contained within the console itself or limited to the tip of the power cord at the back of the console. However, in 30 consoles, these failures are reported to have caused minor injury or minor property damage. In seven instances, customers reported sustaining a minor burn to their hand. In 23 instances, customers reported smoke damage, or minor damage to a carpet or entertainment centre.

In all regions except Continental Europe, Xbox consoles manufactured before Oct. 23, 2003, require a replacement power cord. In Continental Europe, consoles manufactured before Jan. 13, 2004, require a replacement power cord.

To order a replacement cord, consumers should go to http://www.xbox.com and click on the Power Cord Replacement for Xbox link. Replacement cords will arrive two to four weeks after the order is placed. While waiting for the new cord to arrive, consumers should turn off their Xbox consoles when not in use. Canadian customers can contact Microsoft at (866) 271-0450.

Stihl Inc. recalls Multi-Task Tools
February 16, 2005

Stihl Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va., is recalling about 45,000 KombiSystem Multi-Task Tools, including about 5,000 sold in Canada. An internal clip may become dislodged, and as a result, the clutch shoes could be projected from the clutch housing, striking users.

Stihl has received no reports of injuries.

The recalled product is a KombiSystem Multi-Task Tool powerhead that can be fitted with attachments for a variety of tasks, including edging, trimming and sweeping. Model numbers for the recalled units are either KM55, KM55R, KM55RC, FS55T or FS55RT. The recalled models, which have “Stihl” printed on the engine head, have serial numbers lower than 263868001, which can be found on the engine head.

The FS models were sold between October 2001 and October 2002, and the KM models were sold between September 2002 and October 2004.

Consumers should stop using this multi-task tool immediately and return it to an authorized Stihl dealer for a free repair. Consumers can call Stihl Inc. at (800) 610-6677 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET, or visit Stihl’s Web site, at www.stihlusa.com

Research Products Corp. recalls Electronic Air Cleaners
January 25, 2005

Research Products Corp., of Madison, Wis., is recalling about 67,000 Aprilaire Electronic Air Cleaners sold in the U.S. and Canada. Consumers should immediately turn off or unplug the air cleaner due to a fire hazard.

The air cleaner’s plastic inner housing and filter are not flame-resistant. If electrical arcing occurs in the cleaner, a fire can develop. This poses a risk of burn injuries and property damage.

Research Products has received six reports of fires involving these air cleaners. No injuries were reported.

The recall involves all Aprilaire Model 5000 Electronic Air Cleaners. The air cleaners are almond colored, and located near the heating and cooling equipment. An identification label on the access door reads “Aprilaire Model 5000.”

Independent HVAC dealers sold the air cleaners from June 2000 through December 2004.

Consumers should contact Research Products Corp. to receive a free repair kit containing the flame-retardant inner housing and filter. For more information, call Research Products Corp. toll-free, at (888) 742-2401, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. CT on Saturday. Consumers also can visit the firm’s website at, www.aprilaire.com.

York gas furnace recall
November 17, 2004

The Unitary Products Group (UPG) of York International Corporation is recalling about 226,000 gas furnaces. The furnaces can overheat, causing heat exchanger cracking, burn through and, in extreme cases, furnace wrapper burn through. This can cause smoke to be emitted from the furnace and the drywall to heat, posing a fire hazard.

Consumers should stop using the heating function of the recalled furnaces immediately until the unit has been inspected and upgraded. These situations, if left unresolved, can lead to significant property damage, personal injury or death.

UPG has received 27 reports of fires, some resulting in extensive property damage, which could be related to these hazards. There have been no injuries reported.

The recall involves Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brand furnaces. The furnaces are silver in colour with white access panels. The "Coleman", "Coleman Evcon" and "Red T" brand names are located in the middle of the front access panel. These model furnaces with model numbers listed below are included in the recall:

DGAM075BDD DGAT070BDD DGAT075BDD DLAS075BDD
DGAM075BDE DGAT070BDE DGAT075BDE DLAS075BDE
DGAM075BDF DGAT070BDF DGAT075BDF DLAS075BDF

The model numbers are written on a nameplate (found by removing both front access panels). The nameplate is found mounted on the left inside surface behind the lower panel.

The furnaces were sold in the United States and Canada between 1995 and 2000.

York International Corporation is providing free inspection and upgrade of any furnace involved. Consumers having any of the specified units are urged to follow the instructions below in order to have their furnaces inspected and to prevent against premature failure. Upgrades are provided to the manufactured home owner or occupant and include a new stainless steel liner in the heat exchanger or a replacement heat exchanger (whichever is required), along with a firing rate adjustment.

Consumers having any of the specified units, who previously had their furnaces inspected as a result of the January 2002, September 2002 or September 2003 notices are urged to have their furnaces re-inspected in all cases where their furnace was not replaced following the inspection. York's program provides a free re-inspection and upgrade for any of the furnaces that were previously inspected but not replaced following the 2002 and 2003 notices.

A special call centre and web site have been set up to provide basic information and respond to all inquiries about the program. The toll free call centre number is 1-888-665-4640 and will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). The website address is: www.dgatprogram.com. UPG Technical Services is also conducting comprehensive notification and communications program and working with its distributors to locate owners. York will also mail a notice of this program directly to all owners for which they have information.