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Recall: HMI Industries Floor Cleaners Due to Burn Hazard

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Name of Product: “Majestic 360” Floor Cleaners

Units: About 44,000

Manufacturer: HMI Industries Inc., of Strongsville, Ohio

Hazard: The recalled cleaners’ wiring can overheat, causing electrical arcing and melting. This poses a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: HMI has received 40 reports of overheating and damage to carpets. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled floor cleaner is a black-colored, canister-style vacuum with a powered floor tool. The words “Majestic 360” and “FILTERQUEEN” are printed on a label located on the unit.

Sold through: Independent distributors nationwide from September 2004 through August 2006 for about $1800.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled floor cleaners immediately and contact the firm to arrange for a free repair at an authorized repair center.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact HMI Industries at (800) 566-5606 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Filterqueen.com

Repairing a Whirlpool Washing Machine -Video

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Sometimes the hardest part of repairing an appliance, is knowing how to get the machine apart so that you can get in and get to work. A professional has seen a washing machine disassembled enough times to know when to push and when to pull. Here’s a great little video with instructions on how to take apart a Whirlpool Washing Machine to make repairs yourself.

Recall: Fit & Fresh™ Mixers by MEDport LLC Due to Laceration Hazard

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Name of Product: Fit & Fresh™ Smooth Blend Mixers

Units: About 54,500

Importer: MEDport LLC, of Providence, R.I.

Hazard: While placing the cup on or off the base of the mixer, the mixer can be unexpectedly turned on, activating the blade. This can pose a serious laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: MEDport has received one report of finger lacerations that required medical treatment.

Description: This recall involves Fit & Fresh™ Smooth Blend Mixers with item number 770FF and model number SB-19. The white mixers have four components – a base unit, blade assembly, blending cup and cap. Fit & Fresh™ is printed on the front of the base. The recalled mixers can be identified by the date code, a four-digit number located on the bottom of the base. Date codes included in the recall are: 2707, 4407, 5207, 0308 and 0508.

Sold at: Longs, GNC and Vitamin Shoppe stores nationwide and at www.amazon.com from September 2007 through August 2008 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the mixers and determine if their product is subject to this recall. Consumers with the recalled mixers should return the product to the place of purchase or contact MEDport LLC to arrange for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact MEDport LLC at (800) 858-8840 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.medportllc.com

Recall: Fiesta to Inspect and Repair Gas Grills Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

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Name of Product: Blue Ember Gas Grills

Units: About 47,000

Importer: Fiesta Gas Grills, of Dickson, Tenn.

Manufacturers: Keesung Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Unisplendor Corp., of China

Hazard: The gas grills can be assembled improperly exposing the gas burner hoses to excessive heat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Fiesta has received 14 reports of grill fires. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Blue Ember liquid propane (LP) or natural gas outdoor grills. The recalled model and serial numbers are listed below. The model and serial numbers are printed on a rating plate label on the rear of the grill. The cabinet style grill has two doors and is silver-colored and black or silver-colored and gray. “Blue Ember” is printed on the grill’s hood.

Model Numbers Serial Numbers
FG50057 or FG50069 08K018821-08K018948
08K043658-008K043785
08K018309-08K018692
08K018693-08K018820
08K044554-08K044681
08K054921-08K056968
08K026501-08K033172
08K052233-08K053512
08K057481-08K057864
08K057765-08K060045
08K033317-08K038068
08K040117-08K042708
08K044572-08K047883
08K048790-08K051669
08K000001-08K000640
08K007425-08K007808
08K053641-08K054920
08K000641-08K000768
08U042773-08U046804		 08K006915-08K007042
08K044042-08K044297
08K048396-08K048523
08K007299-08K007426
08K044298-08K044425
08K018949-08K019332
08K016003-08K016258
08K017797-08K017924
08K044426-08K044553
08K048268-08K048395
08K017925-08K018052
08K042277-08K042634
08K015875-08K016002
08K053385-08K053640
08K007043-08K007298
08K038069-08K038196
08K051926-08K052052
08K060193-08K060320

Sold at: Various home centers and retailers nationwide from November 2007 through June 2008 for about $450.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the grills, and inspect the burner hoses to make sure they have been properly assembled. If the hose is to the rear of the installed heat shield, the grill has been improperly assembled and consumers should contact Fiesta for replacement hoses, assembly instructions, and if necessary, for assistance in examining the grill.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fiesta toll-free at (866) 740-7849 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.fiestagasgrills.com (note: this is a .doc document), or email the firm at mnorman@fiestagasgrills.com

Recall: Sony Notebook Computers Due to Burn Hazard

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Name of Product: Certain VAIO TZ-series Notebook Computers

Units: About 73,000

Manufacturer: Sony Electronics Inc., of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: Irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or a dislodged screw inside the hinge can cause a short circuit and overheating. This poses a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Sony has received 15 reports of overheating, including one consumer who suffered a minor burn.

Description: The recalled notebook computer models are the VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series. The computers’ screen size is about 11.1” measured diagonally. Not all units are affected; consumers should contact Sony to determine if their unit is included in the recall.

Sold by: The SonyStyle stores and Web site, authorized electronics retailers, and authorized business-to-business dealers nationwide from July 2007 through August 2008 for between $1,700 and $4,000.

Manufactured in: Japan and United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled notebook computers immediately and contact Sony to determine if their notebook is affected. The firm will arrange for an inspection and repair, if needed.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Sony toll-free at (888) 526-6219 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at sony.com/support

Recall: Viessmann U.S. Recalls Boilers Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of Product: Vitodens 200 Boilers

Units: About 4,600

Manufacturer: Viessmann Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Canada

Hazard: The boiler can leak gas, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves the Vitodens 200 boiler. The gas-fired boilers are white, wall-mounted and have “Viessmann” and “Vitodens 200” printed on the exterior in silver letters. The model and serial numbers included in the recall are listed below. The model number is located on the silver rating plate on the side of the boiler. Contact your certified HVAC contractor to open the boiler and locate the serial number on a white label on the side of the boiler, or under the bottom support panel. Vitodens 100 boilers are not included in this recall.

Model Number Serial Number Additional Information
WB2 6-24C 7167063xxxxxxxxx or 7170317xxxxxxxxx If the serial number’s 8th digit
(listed in red) is a 2, 3, 4, 5 or
6, the boiler is included in the
recall.
WB2 6-24 7167064xxxxxxxxx or 7170318xxxxxxxxx
WB2 8-32 7167065xxxxxxxxx or 7170319xxxxxxxxx
WB2 11-44 7167066xxxxxxxxx or 7188578xxxxxxxxx
WB2 15-60 7167067xxxxxxxxx or 7188577xxxxxxxxx

Sold by: Plumbing and heating contractors nationwide from January 2002 through December 2007 for between $4,000 and $7,500.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the boilers immediately weather permitting and contact their certified heating contractor or Viessmann for a free replacement of the boiler’s O-ring.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Viessmann U.S. toll-free at (888) 414-9157, visit the firm’s Web site at www.viessmann-us.com, or email the firm at o-ring@viessmann.com

Recall: Wal-Mart Recalls General Electric Toasters Due to Fire and Shock Hazards

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Name of Product: General Electric Toasters

Units: About 210,000

Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: An electrical short circuit can occur between the heating element and the bread cage, posing a fire and electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Wal-Mart has received 140 reports of fires or sparks coming from the toasters or the toasters tripping the circuit breaker in consumers’ homes. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled toasters have a chrome steel body, a black plastic base and controls with either two or four openings in the top. The GE logo is located on the front of the toasters just above the controls. Model numbers 169115 and 169116 are included in this recall. The model number is printed on the bottom of the toasters.

4-Slice 2-Slice
169115 169116

Sold at: Wal-Mart Stores nationwide from September 2007 through July 2008 for between $17 and $28.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toasters and return them to any Wal-Mart for a full refund or replacement toaster.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.walmartstores.com

Recall: Cordless Screwdrivers by Menards Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

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Name of Product: MasterForce 3.6-volt Cordless Screwdrivers

Units: About 42,000

Importer: Menards, of Eau Claire, Wisc.

Manufacturer: Great Star Industry Co., of China

Hazard: The battery can overheat and ignite during charging, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. There is no protective device on the lithium battery to prevent overheating.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm and CPSC have received three reports of fires. One consumer suffered burns to the hand, and another experienced temporary hearing loss.

Description: The recalled cordless screwdrivers are green and gray in color. “MASTERFORCE” is printed on the top of the tool. “LITHIUM-ION TECHNOLOGY” and “241-0717” are printed on the handle.

Sold at: Menards stores from April 2007 through May 2008 for about $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the screwdrivers and return them to any Menards store for a free replacement or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call toll-free at (866) 458-2472 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.menards.com

Recall: Wolf Appliance Gas Ranges Due to Burn Hazard

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Name of Product: Wolf Appliance Gas Ranges

Units: About 24,000

Manufacturer: Wolf Appliance Inc., of Madison, Wis.

Hazard: Delayed ignition of gas in the 18-inch oven can cause a flash of flames to be projected at a consumer when the range door is opened, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Wolf has received 97 reports of units experiencing delayed ignition, including 15 minor burns. There have been no reports of fires or property damage.

Description: This recall involves the following Wolf Appliance 48-Inch gas ranges with model numbers: P48, PS48 and R48. The gas ranges are stainless steel with a double oven. A “Wolf” appliance logo is on the front of the larger oven door.

Sold at: Home builders and appliance stores nationwide from January 1998 through June 2008 for between $5,000 and $9,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled gas range 18-inch oven and contact the manufacturer to schedule a free, in-home repair. The large oven and all cooktop burners are not affected and may be used.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can contact Wolf Appliance toll-free at (866) 643-6408 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.wolfappliance.com