NightOwl

Appliance Life Span in the Home Varies – When to Replace

April 26, 2007 By NightOwl

Appliance Life Span in the Home Varies - When to Replace Appliances and materials that get daily use and lots of wear and tear eventually need replacing. Knowing their life expectancies may help you decide whether it makes sense to repair an aging appliance.

Here’s a general guideline:

6 years — trash compactor
9 years — dishwasher, microwave
8-10 years — carpet
10 years — clothes washer
11 years — freezer, water heater (electric)
12 years — garbage disposal
13 years — refrigerator, clothes dryer, electric range
14 years — range hood
10-15 years — air conditioner, garage door opener
15 years — gas range, kitchen faucets
15-25 years — laminate floors
20 years — medicine cabinet, tub/shower faucets
20-50 years — whirlpool tub
20+ years — water heater (tankless)
50 years — kitchen cabinets, vinyl floors
75-100 years — tile floors
Lifetime — wood floors

Read the full article.

Recall:Maytag and Samsung Front Loading Washer

March 21, 2007 By NightOwl

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Maytag and Samsung Brand Front Loading Washing Machines

Units: About 250,000 Maytag-brand units and about 20,000 Samsung-brand units

Distributor: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa, and Samsung Electronics America Inc., of Ridgefield Park, N.J.

Manufacturer: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., of South Korea

Hazard: Water leakage onto the electrical connections to the washing machine’s thermal sensor could cause an electrical short and ignite a circuit board, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received five reports of incidents involving ignition in the circuit board. Samsung has received one report of an incident involving ignition in the circuit board. No injuries, fires or property damage outside the washing machine have been reported.

Description and Models: The recall involves certain Maytag and Samsung brand front-load washers. The Maytag washers have model numbers beginning with MAH9700 or MAH8700. The Samsung model number WF306BHW or a model number beginning with WF316. Not all serial numbers are subject to the recall. The model and serial numbers are located on a tag at the bottom of the door opening. Maytag models with a serial number ending in the last two letters identified below are subject to the recall:

2005

2006

Sample Maytag Serial Number: 10123456GN

Samsung models with the six-digit number 100001 through 799999 prior to a letter at the end of the serial number are subject to the recall:

Sample Samsung Serial Number: 230854AL300026B

Sold at: Major department and appliance stores nationwide from April 2005 through August 2006 for between $1,000 and $1,200.

Manufactured in: South Korea

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact the firm for information on how to receive a free repair. Consumers should not return the washing machine to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can call Maytag toll-free at (800) 868-5109 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to Maytag’s Web site at www.washerrecall.com – Samsung customers can call (800) 515-7902 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to Samsung’s Web site at www.Samsung.com/washerrecall

Maytag Media Contact: Monica Teague, (269) 923-7405 or monica.teague@Whirlpool.com

Samsung Media Contact: Deborah Szajngarten at (201) 229-4090 or dszajngarten@sea.samsung.com

Picture of Recalled Maytag Washing Machine Picture of Recalled Samsung Washing Machine

Internet Enabled Wall Ovens- Now your Blackberry can make dinner

March 8, 2007 By NightOwl

Ah those were the days. Mom in the kitchen cooking dinner (chops, potatos, peas) while we all played tag outside for hours until she finally called as the sun came down “Dinner” and we slowly worked our way back home for a family dinner. But what happens if the boys are at little league, the girls are at karate, dad’s stuck on the freeway, and mom is on the way to pick everybody up as she swings home from court? Well if you want to justify having those two incomes check out this super hot (or super cold) integrated refrigerated double wall oven with internet controls. Just buy a premade meal from one of those almost home cooked shops and toss it in the oven before you leave in the morning. Afraid of salmonella? no problem. These ovens have built in refrigeration. Program it to stay cold all day. When you walk out of court, you can pull up the browser on your blackberry, hit the oven over the wireless net and tell it to start cooking.

Pick up the kids, meet dad on the driveway, and dinner is waiting as you walk in. The Jetsons never had it so good.

Check it out here: SuperSmart Internet Enabled Wall Ovens

TMIO announced an expanded Intelligent Oven product line based on the original Connect Io double wall oven of consistent accolades. The original Connect Io double offers remote control by Internet and telephone, and comes with built-in refrigeration to keep foods fresh before and after cooking. These advanced remote features allow homeowners to communicate with the oven to give cooking, warming, and refrigeration instructions so that “dinner is ready when you are.”

Internet controlled wall ovens from IMIO

Here’s a link to TMIO: to read more

Recall: Maytag and Jenn-Air Dishwashers – Fire Hazard

February 2, 2007 By NightOwl

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Maytag® and Jenn-Air® brand dishwashers

Units: About 2.3 million

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser and come into contact with the dishwasher’s internal wiring which can short-circuit and ignite, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 135 reports of dishwasher fires, resulting in product and/or property damage. Four injuries have been reported, including three reports of smoke inhalation and one serious hand laceration when operating a fire extinguisher to put out a fire in the dishwasher.

Description: The recall involves Maytag® and Jenn-Air® under counter or portable plastic tub dishwashers. The dishwashers have black, white, almond, bisque and stainless steel front panels. The following model and serial numbers are printed on a label located on the dishwasher’s plastic frame on top of or to the left of the door opening. Consumers should contact Maytag to determine if their dishwasher is included in this recall.

Brand	Model numbers MUST begin with…	AND serial numbers MUST end with…
Maytag®	MDB3, MDB4, MDB5, MDB6, MDB7, MDB8, MDB9, MDBD, MDC3, MDC4, MDC5, DWU9	SM, SQ, SS, SU, SW, SY, SZ, UB, UD, UF, UH, UK, UM, UQ, US, UU, UW, UY, UZ, WB, WD, WF, WH, WK, WM, WQ, WS, WU, WW, WY, WZ, YB, YD, YF, YH, YK, YM, YQ, YS, YU, YW, YY, YZ
Jenn-Air®	JDB3, JDB4, JDB5, JDB6, JDB7	UB, UD, UF, UH, UK, UM, UQ, US, UU, UW, UY, UZ, WB, WD, WF, WH, WK, WM, WQ, WS, WU, WW, WY, WZ, YB, YD, YF, YH, YK, YM, YQ, YS, YU, YW, YY, YZ

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from July 1997 through June 2001 for between $370 and $800.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it and inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire. Contact Maytag for either a free in-home repair, or a $75 cash back reimbursement following the purchase of a new Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Whirlpool® or KitchenAid® dishwasher. Consumers should not return the dishwasher to the retailer where it was purchased, as retailers are not prepared to take units back.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag Corporation at (800) 675-0535 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com

Whirlpool seeks new Maytag Repairman

February 1, 2007 By NightOwl

maytag repairman man men
Whirlpool Corp. is launching a nationwide search for someone to portray the Maytag Repairman — the lonely, iconic character that has represented Maytag for 40 years.

The Repairman has been under new ownership since Whirlpool purchased the Newton-based Maytag in March and announced that all Maytag’s Newton operations would close by the end of 2007.
The new Repairman could be a professional actor, an ordinary guy next door or even a real-life appliance repairman, Whirlpool officials said.

Recall: Version-X Hair Dryers

January 30, 2007 By NightOwl

Name of product: Travel’N Baby Mini Hair Dryers

Units: About 18,000

Importer: Detour Corp., doing business as Version-X, of Studio City, Calif.

Distributor: Metropolis Beauty Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: These electric hair dryers are not equipped with an immersion protection plug to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water. Electric shock protection devices are required by industry standards for all electric hand-held hair dryers. If the hair dryer falls into water during use and is not equipped with this safety device, it can pose a shock and/or an electrocution hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled hair dryers are made of plastic and are red, blue or green. The hair dryer’s handle folds up. The words “Travel’N Baby” are printed on one side of the hair dryer.

Sold by: Independent beauty supply stores and beauty salons nationwide and online at www.metropolisbeauty.com from January 2004 through January 2005 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these hair dryers immediately and contact Version-X at (800) 871-6824 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the recall Web site at www.metropolisbeauty.com for a replacement hair dryer equipped with an immersion protection plug.

See this recall on CPSC’s web site.

Recall: Holmes Group Tower Fans Fire Hazard

January 29, 2007 By NightOwl

holmes oscillating fan recall Name of product: Holmes® Oscillating Tower Fans

Units: About 300,000

Distributor: The Holmes Group, of Milford, Mass.

Hazard: Electrical arcing in the fan’s wiring can cause a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The Holmes Group has received 16 reports of property damage, including one reported injury involving minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Description: The recall involves the Holmes HT30 Oscillating Tower Fan.
The model number can be found on the silver label on the back of the unit. The tower fans are white. “Holmes®” is printed on the front of the base.

Sold at: Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and additional department and specialty stores nationwide from July 2002 through June 2005 for about $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the fans and contact The Holmes Group for instructions on receiving a free replacement unit at (800) 524-9204 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.holmesfanrecall.com.

See this recall on CPSC’s web site.

Emerson Recalls Ceiling Fans

December 22, 2006 By NightOwl

Emerson Electric Co. Recalls Ceiling Fans for Injury Hazard from Falling Blades

Name of Product: Emerson 60-inch Designer Ceiling Fan

Units: About 4,000

Importer: Air Comfort Products Division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: The brackets holding the fan blades can break, causing the blade to detach. Falling pieces can hit and injure bystanders.

Incidents/Injuries: Air Comfort Products has received one report of a fan blade striking a consumer in the head. The company is also aware of six incidents of the brackets failing. Three incidents resulted in minor property damage.

Description: The recall involves the “Emerson Designer 60-inch Ceiling Fan.” The recalled fans have a 60-inch diameter and come in seven types of finishes including weathered bronze, pewter, antique brass, white, antique white, oil rubbed bronze and brushed steel. The following model numbers are included in the recall and can be found on the base of the fan.

Sold by: Menards and other lighting showrooms, electrical distributors and hardware stores nationwide from May 2005 through September 2006 for between $90 and $300.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

See this recall on CPSC’s web site
Remedy: Consumers should stop using these fans immediately and contact Air Comfort Products to receive a voucher for a free Emerson replacement fan of comparable value. Air Comfort will reimburse consumers up to $75 for charges incurred in the removal and installation of replacement fans from Air Comfort.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should contact Air Comfort toll-free at (866) 478-8564 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.emersonfans.com

Farberware Fruit Slicers and Corers – Lifetime Brands Inc. Recall

December 21, 2006 By NightOwl

Farber Fruit Slicer and Corer Name of Product: Farberware Classic Series Fruit Slicers and Corers

Units: About 207,000

Manufacturer: Lifetime Brands Inc., of Westbury, N.Y.

Hazard: The metal blade can separate from the plastic handle during use, resulting in cuts to consumer’s hands and fingers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lifetime Brands has received 34 reports of the blade separating from the handle, including nine reports of cuts to consumers’ hands and fingers.

Description: The recalled product is the Farberware(r) Classic Series(tm) Fruit Slicer and Corer with model number 78350. The model number is written on the packaging. The fruit slicer/corer is an eight-section round metal blade encircled in hard black plastic with two handles. “FARBERWARE” is printed on the top of the handle.

Sold at: Grocery, hardware, discount and other retail stores nationwide from January1999 through October 2006 for about $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these fruit slicer/corers immediately and return them to Lifetime Brands Inc. for a refund.

Customer Contact: For additional information, contact Lifetime Brands Inc. at toll-free (888) 568-1533 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write an email to fruitslicer@lifetimebrands.com

See this recall on CPSC’s web site.

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. Recalls Christmas Light Sets Due to Shockand Fire Hazards

December 15, 2006 By NightOwl

December 14, 2006
Release #07-055

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 326-7931
Firm’s Media Contact: (617) 421-0543
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. Recalls Christmas Light Sets Due to Shock and Fire Hazards

Name of Product: Hobby Lobby Christmas Light Sets
Units: About 2.3 million sets
Importer: Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Hazard: The lights have undersized wires which can separate from the plugs and/or the light sockets, posing an electric shock and fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC has received one report of a minor shock when a consumer touched a light string. Hobby Lobby has received one report of melting wires.
Description: The light sets listed in the chart below are included in the recall:

100 Count Indoor/Outdoor Super Bright Mini Light Set
BulbColor WireColor Item# E# Retail
Multi Green CUL11001 E-214285 $2.47
Clear Green CUL11000 E-124315 $2.47
Clear Green CUL11000 E-65692 $2.47
Clear White CUL1100A E-214285 $2.47
Red Green CUL11003 E-214285 $2.47
Blue Green CUL11004 E-214285 $2.47
Green White CUL1100J E-214285 $2.47
Multi White CUL1100J E-214285 $2.47
Blue White CUL1100J E-214285 $2.47
Red White CUL1100J E-214285 $2.47
Green Green CUL11005 E-214285 $2.47

50 Count Classic Colors Indoor Super Bright Mini Light Set
BulbColor WireColor Item# E# Retail
FrostWhite Green CUL05200 E-124315 $2.99
RoyalPurple Green CUL05203 E-124315 $2.99
AngelicGold Green CUL05204 E-124315 $2.99
Pink Green CUL05205 E-124315 $2.99
Red/Green/White Green CUL05206 E-124315 $2.99

150 Count Indoor/Outdoor Ribbon Style Net Light Set
BulbColor WireColor Item# E# Retail
Multi Green CUL15519 E-214285 $6.99
Clear Green CUL15519 E-214285 $6.99

100 Count Outdoor/Indoor Miniature Trunk Net Light Set
BulbColor WireColor Item# E# Retail
Clear Green CUL15530 E-214285 $5.99
Multi Green CUL15531 E-214285 $5.99
Red Green CUL15533 E-214285 $5.99
Green Green CUL15535 E-214285 $5.99

300 Count Indoor/Outdoor Hang-Straight Icicle Light Set
BulbColor WireColor Item# E# Retail
Multi White CUL3003B E-214285 $9.99
Blue White CUL3003E E-214285 $9.99
Clear White CUL3103A E-214285 $9.99
Clear Green CUL31030 E-214285 $9.99

Sold at: Hobby Lobby stores nationwide from June 2006 through early December 2006 for between $2.50 and $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the lights immediately and return them to the nearest Hobby Lobby store to receive a Hobby Lobby exchange card.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact the Hobby Lobby Call Center at (800) 326-7931 anytime, or log on to the firm’s Web site at www.hobbylobby.com

See this recall on CPSC’s web site.