NightOwl

What makes a vacuum suck

May 25, 2007 By NightOwl

Do you know how a vacuum is made? Pull up a chair and learn about it the way your 5 year old would.

Did you ever get tired of dragging your old canister vacuum around the house? Well maybe what you need is a central vacuum. A central vacuum is to your handheld what a central air conditioner is to your old window air conditioner. You install a big suction motor and dust canister in your garage. Then add a series of tubes/pipes through your walls into each room. Each room gets an outlet with a suction cap. When you are ready to clean, you bring the vacuum head and attached tube into a room, snap it into the vacuums wall jack and suck it up. Take a look at this video to get a handle on what it looks like:

Famous for Doing Nothing

May 20, 2007 By NightOwl

He has to be one of the most easily recognized pitchmen on TV. He does nothing. He’s the most bored, lonely guy we know and he’s been missing in action for months. But not any more. He’s back. They found him.

Could it be this guy? I’d pick him just for his creative audition.

Well it’s a big enough deal to make the world news. Check it out:

If these guys don’t heat your clothes, check out this vintage clip with an earlier pitch girl.

Appliance.net, back in February: Whirlpool Seeks New Maytag Repairman

Urban Legends – the truth will out

May 17, 2007 By NightOwl

I feel sorry for our parents. They never knew the whether old urban legends were true or false. We have Snopes – the original, ultimate rumor checker. The next time somebody sends you an email insisting that you have to “pass it on to everybody you know” go to snopes first and check it out.

Here are a few great tidbits related to appliances.

True or False: You can make water explode in a microwave.

http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave.asp Believe it or not, its true.

Here’s an oldie but goodie: Does plastic leach toxins into your food when microwaved? Check it out here:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp

Dangerous Ovens and Stoves That Tip Over

May 17, 2007 By NightOwl

stove tipping Those of us in earthquake and seismic-savvy Southern California realize that this is a serious concern, of which, I believe, most people are completely unaware. Of greater concern is the risk to families with children young enough to use simple leverage. A climbing toddler could easily become a crushed toddler. My advice would be to bolt the oven to the wall right away, and remember to always keep an eye on kids in the kitchen – there is no substitute for adult supervision.

KHOU has a video and full article.

Greek philosopher Archimedes quipped: “Give me a place to stand on, and I can move the earth.”

Toppling a kitchen appliance is clearly demonstrated by KHOU to be a piece of cake.

On the subject of child safety in the kitchen, here’s a horrible reminder of the dangers of even the most common household appliances when kids are on the loose. http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/dishwasher.asp

$archimedes lever$

Recall: General Electric Dishwasher Fire Hazard

May 17, 2007 By NightOwl

Name of product: GE Dishwashers

Units: About 2.5 million

Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser onto the dishwasher’s internal wiring which can cause an electrical short and overheating, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received 191 reports of overheated wiring including 56 reports of property damage. There were 12 reports of fires that escaped the dishwasher. Fire damage was limited to the dishwasher or the adjacent area. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes GE built-in dishwashers sold under the following brand names: Eterna, GE, GE Profile^TM, GE Monogram®, Hotpoint®, and Sears-Kenmore. The dishwashers were sold in white, black, almond, bisque and stainless steel. The brand name is printed on the dishwasher’s front control panel. Model and serial numbers can be found inside the dishwasher tub on the front left side of the dishwasher. A table of relevant model and serial numbers can be found on CPSC’s web site.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores from September 1997 through December 2001 for about $400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and contact General Electric for a free repair, a $150 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE dishwasher, or a $300 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE Profile or GE Monogram dishwasher.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact General Electric toll-free at (877) 607-6395 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday. Consumers also can visit the firm’s Web site.

Source.

Brand	Model Numbers Must Begin With	Serial Numbers Must Begin With
Eterna	EDW20, EDW30	SS, TS, VS, ZS, AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT, AV, DV, FV, GV, HV, LV, MV, RV, SV, TV, VV, ZV, AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ, LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ, VZ, ZZ, AA, DA, FA, GA, HA, LA, MA, RA, SA, TA, VA, ZA
GE and GE Profile	GHD50, GSD40, GSD41, GSD43, GSD46, GSD4910Z, GSD4920Z, GSD4930Z, GSD4940Z0, GSD50, GSD51, GSD521, GSD522, GSD523, GSD531, GSD532, GSD533, GSD535, GSD536, GSD55, GSD56, GSD57, GSD58, GSD59, GSDL3, GSDL6
GE Monogram	ZBD3500Z0
Hotpoint	HDA3400F, HDA35	SS, TS, VS, ZS, AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT, AV, DV, FV, GV, HV, LV, MV, RV, SV, TV, VV, ZV, AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ, LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ, VZ, ZZ
GE and GE Profile	GHD35, GSD21, GSD2200D, GSD2200F, GSD2200G, GSD2201F, GSD2220F, GSD2221F, GSD2230F, GSD2231F, GSD2250F GSD23, GSD26, GSD27, GSD3115F, GSD3125F, GSD3135F, GSD3200G, GSD3210F, GSD3220F, GSD3230F, GSD33, GSD341, GSD342, GSD343, GSD345, GSD3610F, GSD3620F, GSD3630F, GSD3650F GSD37, GSD381, GSD382, GSD383, GSD385, GSD391, GSD392, GSD393, GSD4525F, GSD4535F, GSD4555F, GSDL122F, GSDL132F, GSDL24, GSM2100F, GSM2100G, GSM2100Z0, GSM2110D, GSM2110F, GSM2130D, GSM2130F
Sears-Kenmore	363.1438, 363.1447, 363.1445, 363.1448, 363.1457, 363.1467, 363.1475, 363.15161792, 363.1517, 363.1521, 363.1527, 363.1528, 363.1531, 363.1532, 363.1546, 363.1547, 363.1548, 363.1556, 363.1565, 363.1567, 363.1617, 363.1655	SS, TS, VS, ZS, AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT, AV, DV, FV, GV, HV, LV, MV, RV, SV, TV, VV, ZV, AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ, LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ, VZ, ZZ

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

May 11, 2007 By NightOwl

CPSC Warns of Dangerous Counterfeit Electrical Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. — May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers that, unlike a fake purse or watch, counterfeit electrical products could pose the risk of injury or death. Counterfeit circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights can cause fires, explosions, shocks and electrocutions.

Often, manufacturers of counterfeit products neglect to use key components or skimp in the manufacturing process in order to save money.

While cheaper prices are passed onto consumers, so too are the dangers.

Fake consumer products are not tested for compliance to relevant safety standards.

CPSC has recalled more than one million counterfeit electrical products in recent years, including circuit breakers that did not trip when overloaded; cell phone batteries without a safety device in the circuitry to prevent overcharging; and extension cords with mislabeled, undersized wiring that overheated.

“We are very concerned about unsafe electrical products,” said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Our priority is to keep consumers safe by preventing potentially dangerous counterfeit products from getting into the marketplace in the first place.”

Many counterfeit products are made in China and CPSC is actively working with the Chinese government to reduce the number of unsafe products that are exported to the United States. CPSC has also been working with Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, legitimate manufacturers, and certifying testing laboratories to identify and stop unsafe counterfeit products at U.S. ports and in the marketplace.

Counterfeits can be extremely difficult to spot. A counterfeit electrical product could be a knock-off of a name brand product or one that bears an unauthorized certification marking. CPSC offers the following tips to help avoid counterfeit hazards:

Scrutinize the product, the packaging and the labeling. Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the manufacturer’s label.
Trademarked logos that look different than usual may signal a counterfeit.
Trust your instincts. If the price is “too good to be true,” it could be because the product is an inferior and unsafe counterfeit.
Be extra vigilant when buying from an unknown source such as a street vendor, non-authorized dealer, dollar store, online retailer or an individual. Ask about the return policy. Get a receipt and look for missing sales tax. Businesses selling counterfeit goods often don’t report their sales.
Stay informed. Sign up for CPSC e-mail alerts, so when a dangerous product is recalled, you’ll know about it right away.
Report safety-related incidents to the manufacturer or CPSC.

For additional electrical safety information about counterfeit products, visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s Web site

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772.

RECALL: Sagittarius Gas Grills

May 11, 2007 By NightOwl

Name of product: Perfect Flame Four-Burner Gas Grills

Units: About 36,500

Manufacturer: Sagittarius Sporting Goods, of China

Importer: L G Sourcing, of North Wilkesboro, N.C

Hazard: Some of these grills could be missing a hose that connects the grill manifold to the side burner, which poses a risk of fires and burn injuries to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: About 30,000 of these grills in inventory have already been inspected, and 17 units were found to have missing hoses and repaired. No injuries or consumer incidents have been reported.

Description: The recall involves 25-inch by 18-inch Perfect Flame brand, four-burner, stainless steel gas grills with date codes JU, JV, JW, JX, JY, or JZ. The name “Perfect Flame” is on the grill hood. The model number, 2518SL, and the date code are located on a label inside the left front door of the grill.

Sold at: Lowe’s retail outlets nationwide from September 2006 through February 2007 for about $400.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should inspect their grills before initial use to determine whether the hose that attaches to the side burner is missing.
If it is, do not use the grill and contact Sagittarius. Sagittarius will inspect the grill and install a free replacement hose.

Consumer Contact: Call Sagittarius toll-free at (888) 804-7455 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday.

Source

Recall: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills

May 4, 2007 By NightOwl

Name of product: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Model 463720407

Units: About 600

Importer: Char-Broil LLC, of Columbus, Ga.

Manufacturer: Winmax, of China

Char Boil Grill Recall Hazard: The recalled grills could have an incorrect heat shield that does not fit the grills. Without the correct heat shield, the propane tank, hose, and regulator could overheat and damage these components, presenting a risk of fire and burn to consumers, if a propane leak occurs.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Five consumers have received grills without the correct heat shield.

Description: Only Char-Broil gas grills with model number 463720407 are included in the recall. This is a two-burner 360 square inch cooking surface gas grill with a 170 square inch swing-away rack, two side shelves and a condiment basket. Char-Broil’s logo is on the top of the lid of the grill. The serial number is located on the white rating label on the back of the upper front panel of the grill. The serial numbers range from G305040611002821 to G305040611003420.

CharBroil Grill Heat Shield Sold at: Big Lots stores nationwide from January 2007 through March 2007 for about $115 and $130.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should inspect their grill to determine whether the heat shield is properly installed. If the heat shield is missing or cannot be installed per instructions, stop using the grill and immediately contact Char-Broil. Char-Broil will send the consumer, free of charge, the correct heat shield and installation instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Char-Broil toll-free at (866) 671-7988 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.charbroil.com

Recall: Coby Boombox

April 27, 2007 By NightOwl

Coby Boombox recall Coby Electronics Recalls Boomboxes Due to Fire Hazard

Name of product: Coby-Brand USB/MP3/CD Boomboxes

Units: About 13,800

Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y.

Hazard: When left plugged into an electrical outlet and the off switch is not firmly in place, these boomboxes can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Coby Electronics Corp. has received 18 reports of these boomboxes overheating resulting in three reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled Coby boombox is a portable CD/MP3 player with an AM/FM radio. The USB feature allows it to be connected to a computer.
The boombox is primarily white with silver-colored speakers. The word “COBY” is written on the front and “DIGITAL” is written on the top. The model number, “MP-CD475” also is written on the top. The recalled units have serial numbers, located on the rear of the unit beneath the AC power cord plug-in outlet, in the following range limits:

0736000001 through 0736005000
0816000001 through 0816005300
0826000001 through 0826003500

Sold at: Discount, toy and office supply stores nationwide from August
2006 through December 2006 for between $20 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should unplug these boomboxes immediately, and contact the firm for information on returning the recalled units and receiving a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Coby Electronics Corp. at (800) 524-9219 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site.

Source

Recall: Holmes Oil-Filled Electric Heaters

April 27, 2007 By NightOwl

The Holmes Group Recalls Oil-Filled Electric Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

Name of product: Holmes® Oil-Filled Electric Heaters

Units: About 300,000

Distributor: The Holmes Group, of Milford, Mass.

Hazard: A poor electrical connection within the heater can lead to overheating. This poses fire and thermal burn hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: The Holmes Group has received reports of 59 incidents involving the recalled heaters. There were 12 reports of minor injuries including four reported burns. There were 36 reports of property damage including four fires that caused between $41,000 and $200,000 in damage.

Description: The recall involves Holmes oil-filled electric heaters with model number HOH2505 and HOH2520. The model number and “Holmes®” are printed on the side of the unit near the bottom.

Sold at: Discount department stores, hardware stores and other retailers from September 2005 through February 2007 for between $40 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and contact the Holmes Group to receive a free replacement heater.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact The Holmes Group at (800) 306-2471 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site.

Source.