Garage and Garden


Grill Safety for the 4th and all Summer Long

Grill Safety for the 4th and all Summer Long

Summer, the Fourth of July and barbecue, they all come together to create happy memories. Don’t let an accident spoil your summer fun; read these tips from HPBA (Hearth, Patio, Barbecue Association) and be prepared for a great Holiday and summer.

* Read the owner’s manual.
[...]

Previous Stories

  • Recall: Wagner Spray Tech Paint Sprayers Due to Electrical Shock Hazard
    June 8th, 2009

    Name of Product: Wagner Paint Sprayers
    Units: About 35,000
    Importer: Wagner Spray Tech Corp., of Plymouth, Minn.
    Hazard: The on-off switch can be dislodged from the casing, resulting in exposure of electrical connections. This can pose an electrical shock hazard to the consumer.
    Incidents/Injuries: There have been no reported incidents or injuries.
    Description: This recall includes the Wagner Control Spray [...]

  • OPEI Concerned About E15 Fuel
    April 3rd, 2009

    The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has serious concerns with a premature rush to 15 percent ethanol (E15) or other mid-level fuel blends as being suggested by pro-ethanol producers. Without a formal waiver process through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a continued misinterpretation of test results from a recent Department of Energy (DOE) report, [...]

  • Buying a Snowblower?
    March 23rd, 2009

    I know, Spring is almost here - you don’t want to think about heavy snow and getting out of the driveway - but some local stores are trying to sell off their inventory of snowblowers.  This might be your best chance to snag a blower that will make next Winter’s snow removal a breeze.  Well, [...]

  • Recall: Ryobi Corded Circular Saws Sold Exclusively at Home Depot By One World Technologies Inc. Due to Laceration Hazard
    January 26th, 2009

    Name of Product: Ryobi Corded Circular Saws
    Units: About 12,400
    Manufacturer: One World Technologies Inc., of Anderson, S.C.
    Hazard: The return spring on the circular saw’s lower blade guard can break, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: This recall involves Ryobi corded circular saws with the following model numbers: CSB123, CSB133L, and CSB142LZ. Circular saws included [...]

  • Recall: The Toro Company Reannounces Recall of Electric Blowers Due to Projectile Hazards
    January 7th, 2009

    Name of Product: Toro Power Sweep Electric Blowers
    Units: About 900,000
    Manufacturer: The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.
    Hazard: The blower’s impeller, which is a rotating component on the blower, can break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or a bystander.
    Incidents/Injuries: Toro has received [...]

  • Dirty Grills Gone Wild
    December 12th, 2008

    Get ready for summer now: 
    Dacor is launching a contest to find the dirtiest grill in America. Its owner will receive a new Dacor Epicure 36-inch Outdoor Grill and Grill Cart and a year’s supply of Scott Shop Towels.
    The contest is being promoted at barbeque competitions and football tailgate parties across the country, and will end [...]

  • Recall: Fiesta to Inspect and Repair Gas Grills Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
    October 27th, 2008

    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 [...]

  • Compact Electric Grill
    October 6th, 2008

    Now those of you living in high-rise condominiums can grill without worries. Fuego has launched the industry’s first outdoor, electric plug-in grill with an island configuration. Now you can entertain outdoors on the terrace or roof garden without the hazard of an open flame.
    The Fuego 02 Electric features a powerful coil heating element with a reflector [...]

  • Recall: Cordless Screwdrivers by Menards Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
    September 5th, 2008

    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 [...]

  • Time For a New Lawn Mower?
    August 25th, 2008

    The End of Season sales are a good time to replace that old mower you’ve been dragging out all summer.  Newer models are more energy efficient and the gas models burn cleaner too.  Before you head out to your local home store, take a few minutes to brush up on your lawn mower knowledge.
    One of your first decisions [...]

  • Recall: Fire and Burn Hazards Prompt Recall of Gas Grills Sold at Lowe’s Stores
    August 7th, 2008

    Name of Product: Perfect Flame Double Lid Four Burner Gas Grills
    Units: About 24,000
    Retailer: Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc., of North Wilkesboro, N.C. and Lowe’s HIW, Inc., of Tukwila, Wash.
    Manufacturer: Lucas Innovation Inc., of China
    Hazard: The cooking chamber of the grill can melt and/or ignite, posing a risk of fires and burn injuries to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: There have [...]

  • Recall: DEWALT Cordless Brad Nailers Due to Injury Hazard
    August 7th, 2008

    Name of Product: DEWALT DC608 Cordless Brad Nailers
    Units: About 14,000
    Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., of Towson, Md.
    Hazard: The nailer can operate when the lock-off (safety) is in the locked position. Also, the nailer can operate when the trigger is not pulled and the contact trip is depressed. The unexpected ejection of a nail poses a [...]

  • Keep Your Lawn Mower Running Smoothly
    August 6th, 2008

    The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) offers their advice on maintaining your lawn tools for a greener yard and a greener world. Proper maintenance will also extend the life of your mower, trimmer or tiller.

    Change your equipment’s oil seasonally and be sure to recycle the [...]

  • Recall: Log Splitter Engines By American Honda Motor Co. Due to Fire Hazard
    July 24th, 2008

    Name of Product: Engines used in SpeeCo and Huskee Brand Log Splitters
    Units: About 5,600
    Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.
    Hazard: The engine’s fuel tank can crack and leak, posing a risk of fire or explosion.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: The recall involves Honda engines (model type GCV160LA N1A) used in Split Master by SpeeCo and Huskee [...]

  • Recall: Lawn Mowers by American Honda Motor Corp. Due to Laceration Hazard
    July 16th, 2008

    Name of Product: Honda Lawn Mowers
    Units: 20,500
    Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.
    Hazard: The lawn mower’s rear shield can break off allowing debris to be thrown toward the operator, which poses a laceration hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: American Honda has received one report of a shield breaking off the lawn mower. No injuries have been [...]

  • You can Thank NASA for Your Cordless Drill
    June 13th, 2008

    If you plan to give Dad a cordless power tool this Father’s Day, you can thank NASA for the great gift idea.
    According to Howstuffworks.com, Black and Decker created the cordless idea back in 1961 with battery operated tools, but NASA helped refine the technology that led to lightweight, cordless medical instruments, hand-held vacuum cleaners and other [...]

  • Recall: Robert Bosch Tool Corp. Hammer Drills Due to Risk of Injury
    June 12th, 2008

    Name of Product: Bosch Hammer Drills
    Units: About 9,700
    Manufacturer: Robert Bosch Tool Corp., of Mount Prospect, Ill.
    Hazard: The drill can continue to operate after the trigger has been released, posing a risk of injury to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: The recalled hammer drill is blue with “BOSCH” printed on the side. The model number 1191VSR can be [...]

  • Dacor’s New Indoor/Outdoor Refrigerator
    May 28th, 2008

    Dacor’s newest addition to its Epicure line is designed to fit neatly under any counter in an outdoor patio or kitchen layout, the unit stands at 33″ tall and 24″ wide and will easily slide into standard cabinetry openings. An innovative digital electronic control panel allows users to adjust the temperature with the simple touch [...]

  • Recall: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Sold Exclusively at Mills Fleet Farm Stores Due to Fire, Burn Hazard
    May 22nd, 2008

    Name of Product: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Model 463720108
    Units: About 400
    Importer: Char-Broil LLC, of Columbus, Ga.
    Manufacturer: Shenzhen Jinwoniu Trading Company LTD, China
    Hazard: On the recalled grills, the main burner does not fit correctly and does not connect properly to the gas valve which could result in a propane leak. This poses fire and burn hazards [...]

  • Recall: Shindaiwa Corp. Backpack Blowers Due to Laceration and Impact Hazards
    May 16th, 2008

    Name of Product: Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers
    Units: About 23,000
    Importer: Shindaiwa Corp., of Tualatin, Ore
    Manufacturer: Shindaiwa Kogyo Co. Ltd, of Hiroshima, Japan
    Hazard: The blower’s impeller (fan) can separate from the base and break apart, causing plastic pieces to be blown out of the machine, and pose a laceration and impact hazard to consumers. The flying [...]

  • Recall: Onward Manufacturing Gas Grills Due to Fire and Burn Hazard
    May 5th, 2008

    Name of Product: Broil King Gas Grills
    Units: About 4,800
    Manufacturer: Onward Manufacturing Co., of Ontario, Canada
    Hazard: The bottom of the cook box that contains the burners can melt or crack as a result of a grease fire. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported
    Description: This recall includes the Signet, Sovereign and Sovereign [...]

  • Eight Basic Safety Rules For Outdoor Power Equipment
    May 3rd, 2008

    Here are some rules everyone should be aware of before using outdoor power equipment. They come straight from the folks who know how to use them, The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).
    1 . Know how to operate the equipment.
    Read the operator’s manual before using any power equipment. Know where the controls are and what they [...]

  • Recall: DEWALT Table Saws Due to Laceration Hazard
    April 29th, 2008

    Name of Product: DEWALT DW744 Jobsite Table Saws
    Units: About 13,000
    Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., of Towson, Md.
    Hazard: The pivot bracket on the saw can separate which can misalign the blade and the fence and cause kick back. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: DEWALT has received one reported incident of the table saw’s blade [...]

  • Recall: Kyodo America LawnBott Lawn Mowers Due to Laceration Hazard
    April 25th, 2008

    Name of Product: LawnBott Lawn Mowers
    Units: About 530
    Importer: Kyodo America Industries Co. LTD., of Lawrenceville, Ga.
    Manufacturer: Zucchetti Centro Sistemi S.p.A., of Italy
    Hazard: The cutting blades continue to rotate when the mower is lifted from the ground and the spacing on the side of the lawn mower could allow room for a consumer’s foot to go [...]

  • Recall: Gecko Alliance Electronic Spa Controls Used on Serenity Spas Due to Fire Hazard
    April 1st, 2008

    Name of Product: Serenity Spa Hot Tubs
    Units: About 1,670
    Manufacturer: Gecko Alliance of Quebec, Canada
    Hazard: The hot tub’s spa control can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
    Incidents/Injuries: Gecko Alliance has received 28 reports of the spa control overheating, including one incident of damage to spa equipment. No injuries have been reported.
    Description: This recall involves the Hydropool Serenity [...]

  • Recall: Portable Air Compressors Sold Exclusively at Advance Auto Parts Stores Due to Fire and Electrical Hazards
    March 6th, 2008

    Name of Product: Strike Force™ Portable Air Compressors
    Units: About 64,000
    Supplier: All-Power America, of City of Industry, Calif.
    Importer: Advance Stores Co., d.b.a. Advance Auto Parts, of Roanoke, Va.
    Hazard: The compressor’s motor can overheat and ignite the protective cover, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Also, the cover might not prevent internal components from [...]

  • Black & Decker In- Car Charger
    March 5th, 2008

    Having a dead battery is never fun. Having one late at night or in the freezing snow is bad. How about late at night and in the freezing snow? Okay- enough! Dead batteries happen, but being prepared can make the situation easier.
    Black & Decker has a gadget called Simple Start that [...]

  • Recall: Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressors Following Fires
    January 31st, 2008

    Name of Product: Campbell Hausfeld and Husky Air Compressors
    Units: About 233,000
    Importer: Campbell Hausfeld, of Harrison, Ohio
    Hazard: Protective covers on the compressor’s motor are not made from proper flame retardant material and can ignite, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 11 reports of fires. No injuries have been reported.
    Description: [...]

  • Use Portable Generators Safely
    January 8th, 2008

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a warning to consumers confronted with severe winter weather. When there’s a power outage, exercise caution when using portable generators.
    Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible killer. You can’t see or smell it. A generator’s exhaust contains poisonous CO which can kill you in a [...]

  • Recall: DeWALT Cordless Drills Due to Fire Hazard
    December 21st, 2007

    Name of Product: DEWALT Cordless Drills
    Units: About 346,000
    Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Company, of Towson, Md.
    Hazard: The trigger switch of the cordless drill can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: DEWALT has received 11 reports of trigger switches overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
    Description: This recall involves DEWALT individual cordless drills listed [...]

  • Recall: Outdoor Vacuums with Honda Engines Recalled By Billy Goat Industries Inc. Due to Fire Hazard
    December 12th, 2007

    Name of Product: Billy Goat MultiVac Outdoor Vacuums
    Units: About 1,600
    Manufacturer: Billy Goat Industries Inc, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.
    Hazard: The vacuum’s fuel tank could crack and leak fuel. If gasoline leaking from the fuel tank is ignited, a fire or explosion can occur. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: The recalled [...]