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As the days get colder, many people are bringing their electric heaters out for the season. 
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the “best source of information about home appliances and the industry www.heatersafety.org. Tip number seven is one people might not be aware of:
Unless the heater is designed for outdoor use or in bathrooms, DO NOT use in damp or wet areas. Parts in the heater may be damaged by moisture.
Have a warm and safe winter!
Name of Product: Black & Decker® brand Infrawave™ Toasters
Units: About 70,000
Distributor: Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla.
Hazard: An electrical component in the toaster can overheat and ignite the circuit board, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Applica has received two reports of the toasters igniting, including one report of fire that damaged a kitchen countertop and cabinets. There have been no reported injuries.
Description and Model: The recalled two-slice toaster is black with stainless steel trim and has a digital display below the toaster lever. The Black & Decker® brand name is on the top of the toaster. Model number ST2000 is printed on the rating plate on the bottom of the toaster.
Manufactured in: China
Sold at: Home improvement and discount department retailers nationwide from March 2007 through November 2007 for about $50.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled toaster, unplug it immediately, and contact Applica to receive a refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Applica at (800) 556-9439 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or log on to the firm’s Web site at http://www.acprecall.com
The Sansa Shaker is a little, pink or blue, kid’s dream come true. I’ve listened to it with my kids-it comes with ports for two headsets- and the sound is fabulous! 
It retails for around $29-$39 depending on the memory you want. Check out a comprehensive review at TechTalk.net. This MP3 player is fun, easy to use and well priced.
If you take a minute now to visit www.howstuffworks.com, you will be prepared the next time a small child asks you how the vacuum works. This site gives a clear, and very detailed description of a vacuum’s mechanics.
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When you plug the vacuum cleaner in and turn it on, this is what happens:
This pressure drop behind the fan is just like the pressure drop in the straw when you sip from your drink. The pressure level in the area behind the fan drops below the pressure level outside the vacuum cleaner (the ambient air pressure). This creates suction, a partial vacuum, inside the vacuum cleaner. The ambient air pushes itself into the vacuum cleaner through the intake port because the air pressure inside the vacuum cleaner is lower than the pressure outside.
As long as the fan is running and the passageway through the vacuum cleaner remains open, there is a constant stream of air moving through the intake port and out the exhaust port. But how does a flowing stream of air collect the dirt and debris from your carpet? The key principle is friction.
As the population ages, many people choose to move to smaller homes or condos for ease of maintenance. Some Baby-Boomers are purchasing smaller, second homes that can become retirement homes in the future.
Marriette Mifflin at about.com advises:
Take a serious look at your appliances, large and small, and consider their age, general condition, capacity, performance, and how likely you are to use them in the future. Consider the impact of moving certain appliances. Older refrigerators or freezers may not survive a physical relocation and would be best replaced for the new home.
Replacing older appliances for more efficient ones will save you energy dollars and the outlay to purchase now, will hopefully provide you with many years of trouble-free use. Replacing later on a limited budget may be more difficult.
We all have our favorite appliances and housewares, but most of us have items that we actually like, but seldom use for whatever reason. And, we often store appliances that aren’t working quite right, for disposal at some undetermined time – well now is the time. When you’re faced with moving, re-evaluating and de-cluttering is a must.
A second or retirement home may be smaller than the family home you’ve spent many years in new appliances should be evaluated accordingly.
Do you really need a high capacity washer and dryer, or would a compact set be sufficient? What size of refrigerator is adequate? Maximize counter space by choosing space-saving appliances and limiting counter presence by importance, and storing the rest.
Consider handling and ease of operation. Choose a vacuum that you can easily lift and maneuver, or consider an upright that may be easier to handle. When buying a new laundry set, the optional pedestal drawers do add to the cost, but may greatly increase the ease of transferring clothes and reducing back strain. An upright freezer may be more accessible for you than a chest model.
It is worth the investment of some careful planning now– it could pay off with some serious savings financially and emotionally, in the future.
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: Yamaha AC Power Adaptors
Units: About 49,000
Distributor: Yamaha Corporation of America, of Buena Park, Calif.
Hazard: The housing of the power adaptor can separate, posing an electric shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Yamaha has received five reports of units separating. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the Yamaha PA-3C power adaptor with a date code of 0624. The adaptor is used with Yamaha keyboards and digital drum sets. The model number is written in white print on the front of the plug of the adaptor and the date code is etched into the plastic at the bottom of the plug panel. The adaptor can be purchased as part of a set or separately.
Sold at: Musical instrument retailers nationwide from July 2006 through September 2007 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled power adaptor immediately and contact Yamaha to return the power adaptor and obtain a free replacement.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Yamaha Corporation of America toll-free at (866) 509-0320 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.yamaha.com/warranty_safety.asp
Yamaha PA-3C power adaptor
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: Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players
Units: About 12,000
Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y.
Hazard: The portable DVD/CD/MP3 players can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Coby Electronics Corp. has received three reports of the units overheating, one of which involved minor property damage from a fire. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves two different portable DVD/CD/MP3 players:
| Product | Model Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5” TFT Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player with TV Tuner and Digital AM/FM Tuner | TF-DVD170 | Product is spherical in shape with a 5” TV screen in front. The name “COBY” is written above the screen. The model number can be found on the bottom of the unit. |
| 5.6” TFT Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player and NTSC TV Tuner | TF-DVD176 | Product is spherical in shape with a 5.6” TV screen in front. The name “COBY” is written above the screen. The model number can be found on the bottom of the unit. |
Sold at: Discount, electronics, music, toy, and office supply stores, as well as distributors of electronics products, nationwide from May 2006 through October 2007 for between $140 and $170.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the portable DVD/CD/MP3 players and contact the firm for information on returning the units and receiving a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Coby Electronics Corp. toll-free at (877) 231-9240 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.cobyusa.com
Straight from PR Newswire: J.D. Power and Associates Reports: High Reliability of Major Home Appliances May Reduce Need for Extended Warranties
According to J.D. Powers and Associates 2007 Major Home Appliance Study, most major appliances these days are quite reliable, yet many consumers continue to purchase extended warranties.
The study measures customer satisfaction in nine segments of major home appliances: dishwashers; free-standing ranges; built-in cook-tops and wall ovens; freezer-on-top style refrigerators; side-by-side and French door-style refrigerators; clothes washers; clothes dryers; over-the-range microwave ovens; and counter-top microwave ovens. The study, now in its third year, examines customer satisfaction with microwave ovens for the first time. Customer satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: operational performance (including how well the appliance functions, noise level and energy efficiency); operational features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); ease of use; styling and feel; price; and warranty.
The study finds that during the first two years of ownership, approximately one in 10 consumers report some kind of problem with their major appliance. However, many of these problems can be resolved by following instructions in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s Web site. Relatively few problems actually require a service visit.
Despite this high degree of reliability, many consumers purchase an extended warranty for their appliances. Among owners of refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and laundry appliances, approximately 25 percent report purchasing an extended warranty, while approximately 15 percent of microwave oven owners do so.
“Extended warranties certainly provide a degree of peace of mind,” said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “With some appliances — particularly those with complex electronics and potentially high repair costs — purchasing an extended warranty may make sense. However, major appliances tend to be very reliable, and consumers should consider very carefully — depending upon their circumstances — whether an extended warranty is worth the additional cost.”
In satisfying customers with major kitchen and laundry appliances, Bosch, GE Appliances, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool and Whirlpool Gold rank highest in various segments.
“Particularly strong performers include Bosch, LG and Samsung, which have achieved consistently high satisfaction levels in consecutive years,” said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “For two consecutive years, Bosch has ranked highest in the dishwashers segment and LG has ranked highest among clothes washers, while Samsung has earned an award in a refrigerator segment for three consecutive years. This is especially impressive considering the high levels of quality and reliability that many appliance manufacturers attain.”
The 2007 Major Home Appliance Study is based on 22,637 responses from consumers who purchased one or more new major home appliances through a retail store, their new-home builder, or received one through other means (such as a gift) during the previous 24 months.
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 products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Warm Mist Carefree Humidifier
Units: About 84,000
Manufacturer: Hunter Fan Co., of Memphis, Tenn.
Hazard: Water used in the humidifier can leak into the unit’s electrical compartment, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Hunter has received four reports of incidents involving a water leak, including one report of a fire resulting in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Warm Mist CareFree humidifiers sold in white and black with blue or green tinted water tanks. “Hunter” and “NiteGlo” are printed on the humidifier. Model numbers are listed on a white label on the bottom of the humidifier. Model numbers and tank sizes are listed in the chart below.
| Model Numbers | Name | Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36200 | Carefree® Humidifier Warm Mist | 2 Gallon | White plastic with a blue tinted water tank |
| 35201, 36201 | Carefree® Humidifier Warm Mist | 2 Gallon | White plastic with a blue tinted water tank |
| 35202, 36204 | CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist | 2 Gallon | White plastic with a blue tinted water tank |
| 35203, 36203, 37203 | CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist | 2 Gallon | White plastic with a green tinted water tank |
| 35207, 36207 | CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist | 2 Gallon | White plastic with a blue tinted water tank |
| 35253, 36253 | CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist | 2.5 Gallon | Black plastic with a blue tinted water tank |
 36200 |
 35201 36201 |
 35202 36204 |
 35203 36203 37203 |
 35207 36207 |
 35253 36253 |
Sold at: Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, discount and hardware stores nationwide, as well as through mail order catalogs and Web retailers from September 2005 through February 2007 for between $40 and $65.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using and unplug the recalled humidifiers. Consumers should contact Hunter Fan to receive a free replacement humidifier or refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hunter Fan Co. toll-free at (877) 288-1145 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hunterfan.com
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: C9600 Series Digital Color Printers
Units: About 400
Importer: Oki Data Americas, of Mount Laurel, N.J.
Manufacturer: Oki Data Corporation, of Japan.
Hazard: The recalled digital color printers have an internal electrical problem that could result in electrical shock to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The digital color printers are beige colored and measure 27 inches wide, 25 inches deep and 20 inches high. “Oki Printing Solutions” and model “C9600” are printed on the front of the unit. The following serial numbers are included in the recall. The serial number is located on the back left side of the printer.
| Serial Numbers |
|---|
| AA56002655A0 through AA56002804A0 |
| AA58001468A0 through AA58001617A0 |
| AA58002702A0 through AA58002801A0 |
Sold at: Authorized OKI Printing Solutions Dealers and Solution Providers nationwide from August 2005 through September 2007 for about $3,500.
Manufactured in: Japan
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled printer. Do not touch the printer or attempt to turn it off. Unplug the printer immediately by pulling the plug from the wall socket. Unplug the printer before locating the serial number on the back of the unit. Contact the firm for a free inspection and repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Oki Data Americas toll-free at (877) 654-6364 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.okidata.com
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