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You are here: Home / Archives for Household

Household

Is Steam the Thing? – Steam Mops

March 22, 2011 By NightOwl

Keeping the house clean – or at least clean enough – is a challenge we all face daily. Sometimes adding a new tool to the arsenal against dirt can give us new energy to face the task. This is the first in a series reviewing steam use in appliances.

Looking at tests conducted by Consumer Reports which added the Steam Mop category in 2010, the results are not stunning. A dozen items that often fall to the floor—including ketchup, mustard, olive oil, syrup and baby cereal—were allowed to harden on vinyl floor tiles before testers tackled them with steam mops.

Consumer Reports called the H2O Mop ($100) and Eureka Enviro Steamer 313A ($70) “good” and the others “mediocre.” The nonprofit, independent testing agency identified a recurring flaw: When there’s a large amount of soil, more gets pushed out of the way than picked up by the pad. It also cautions that steam and water could damage wood floors and might void the warranty.

“A $15 squeeze mop proved comparable, if not better, at floor cleaning,” the magazine says.

Steam-mop manufacturers have recently addressed concerns through vacuum/steam mop combos that eliminate the need for a mop, bucket, broom and dustpan. As far as potential floor damage, the mops’ moisture levels can be adjusted for different types of floors.

“With floors that are a little more delicate, for example … you can put it on the steam-dusting setting,” says Dann Provolo, vice president of marketing for Euro-Pro, maker of Shark steam-cleaning products, which introduced its next generation of Steam-Pocket Mop. “Regardless, a traditional mop with water can leave standing water on a floor, which could damage it. Steam quickly dries.”

Portable steam systems with wedge- and cylinder-shaped pads can be used to clean countertops, tile grout, mirrors, windows and upholstery. Steam kills staph, E. coli, mold, mildew and dust mites. A steam unit also can kill bedbugs, with a caveat.

“A steam cleaner should be a tool within a variety of methodologies,” Provolo says. “It shouldn’t be the entire solution.”

Filed Under: Features, Household, News, Reviews, Small Appliances Tagged With: comsumer reports reviews, consumer reports, consumer reports Steam Mop reviews, Eureka Enviro Steamer, H2O Mop, Steam Mop, Steam Mop reviews

We Have a Winner- Kid’s Poster Contest on Carbon Monoxide Safety

March 16, 2011 By NightOwl

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sponsored a nationwide carbon monoxide (CO) safety poster contest to help raise awareness about the dangers of CO in the home. Possible topics for posters included: recognizing CO exposure and CO exposure symptoms; the inability to see or smell CO; steps to protect against CO poisoning; and installation and testing of a CO alarm.

This contest was open to all middle school age children in grades 6, 7 and 8.

Carbon monoxide is called the “Invisible Killer” because it can’t be seen or smelled. It can kill its victims quickly. Do you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home?

How Deadly CO Gets Into a Home:

* Running a portable generator in an enclosed space, basement or living area
* Running a car in an attached garage
* Poorly operating fuel-burning appliances or faulty ventilation
* Burning charcoal inside your home

“Congratulations to all the winners of CPSC’s carbon monoxide poster contest,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “We heard from middle school teachers that their students not only had fun creating the posters but also learned about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Our staff had a real challenge choosing the winners because there were so many terrific entries.”

CPSC received nearly 450 entries from 6th, 7th and 8th grade students across the nation. The contest is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide in the home. CPSC estimates there were 184 unintentional non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products each year from 2005 to 2007.

Trachell from Hawaii, whose poster is pictured above, was the grand prize winner.

Here are some other winning entries:

Filed Under: contests, Features, Household, News, Safety, _ Tips Tagged With: carbon monoxide alarms, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, CPSC, preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Recall: Sunbeam Products Wine Openers Due to Laceration Hazard

March 11, 2011 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Wine Bottle Openers

Units: About 159,000

Distributor: Sunbeam Products Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla.

Retailer: QVC, of West Chester, Pa.

Hazard: The wine bottles can break when opened with the recalled opener, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Sunbeam has received 52 reports of wine bottles breaking while the opener was being used on them, including 22 reports of injuries. Injuries include lacerations to the hands.

Description: This recall involves the “skybar™ Air Pump Wine Opener” model number NBSKWA2600. The wine bottle opener was sold as a four piece set in the following colors: gray, blue, red or silver and black-colored with a black storage box. “skybar” is printed on the side of the wine bottle opener. Model number NBSKWA2600 is printed on the bottom of the wine bottle opener.

Sold at: QVC retail and employees stores nationwide, QVC’s televised shopping programs, and online at www.qvc.com and www.skybarhome.com from November 2010 through December 2010 for between $30 and $60.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled wine bottle openers. Consumers who purchased the wine bottle openers at a QVC store should return them to any QVC store for a full refund. Consumers who purchased the wine bottle openers through QVC’s televised shopping programs or at www.qvc.com were mailed instructions for obtaining a refund. Purchasers who have not received the mailed instructions should contact QVC. If the wine openers were not purchased through QVC, contact Sunbeam for instructions to obtain a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Contact QVC at (800) 367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET daily or visit the firm’s website at www.qvc.com. Consumers can also contact Sunbeam toll-free at (888) 759-2279 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.skybarhome.com

 

Filed Under: Features, Household, Kitchen, News, Recalls, Safety Tagged With: QVC wine opener, QVC wine opener recall, Sunbeam Products Wine Openers, Sunbeam Products Wine Openers recall, Sunbeam wine bottle opener, Sunbeam Wine Bottle Opener recall, Wine Bottle Openers, wine opener recall

Recall: Sanus Elements Surge Protectors by Milestone AV Technologies Due to Shock Hazard

March 9, 2011 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Low-profile power conditioners/surge protectors

Units: About 2,500

Importer: Milestone AV Technologies LLC, of Savage, Minn.

Manufacturer: Rite-Tech Industrial Co., Ltd., of Taiwan

Hazard: Improper grounding of the case and inadequate insulation for the circuit breaker poses an electrical shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall involves all Sanus Elements model ELM205 low-profile power conditioners or surge protectors. SANUS ELEMENTS is printed on the front of the unit and the model number is printed near the UL logo on the back.

Sold by: Independent home theater dealers from June 2009 through December 2010 for about $90.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Milestone for a replacement product or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Milestone toll-free at (877) 894-6280 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Saturday and Sunday, or visit the firm’s website at www.milestone.com/recall

Filed Under: Consumer Electronics, Features, Household, Multimedia, News, Office, Recalls, Safety, Small Appliances Tagged With: Low-profile power conditioners/surge protectors, Low-profile power conditioners/surge protectors recall, Rite-Tech Industrial Co surge protector, Sanus Elements Surge Protectors, Sanus Elements Surge Protectors recall, surge protectors, surge protectors recall

Electrolux Still Entertaining Daewoo Purchase

February 28, 2011 By NightOwl

Electrolux may be behind your next Daewoo purchase.

Electrolux is interested in buying Daewoo Electronics Corp. should the takeover of the bankrupt South Korean appliance maker by an Iranian rival fall through, Chief Executive Officer Keith McLoughlin said.

According to businessweek.com, creditors of Daewoo Electronics last year agreed to an offer from Entekhab Industrial Group over a competing one from Electrolux. Lenders have since extended the deadline for Entekhab to pay the 471.5 billion won ($420 million) price tag until April 7. Daewoo Electronics had sales of 1.13 trillion won in 2009, according to the latest available regulatory filing.

“If they come back to us, we’ll certainly talk to them,” McLoughlin said in a Feb. 17 interview at the Stockholm-based company’s headquarters. “They knew we were interested, and we’re still interested. If the phone rings, we’ll answer it.”

McLoughlin, who took the helm at the world’s second-biggest home appliance maker at the start of this year, said talks are under way with “more than a couple” potential takeover targets. These may include companies that make air conditioners and other “adjacent products” to Electrolux’s vacuum cleaners, washing machines and refrigerators, he said.

Filed Under: Consumer Electronics, Features, Household, Multimedia, News Tagged With: daewoo electronics, daewoo purchase, daewoo sale, electrolux appliances

Recall: Remote Control Systems by Niles Audio Due to Fire Hazard

February 25, 2011 By Appliance

Name of Product: Remote control systems for entertainment electronics

Units: About 4,160

Manufacturer: Niles Audio Corp., of Miami, Fla.

Hazard: If the battery falls from the remote control during handling, it can rupture and smoke or ignite, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The company has received four reports of batteries falling from the remote control system during handling; one of the batteries ignited and singed a carpet and the other three smoked.

Description: This recall involves the Niles iRemoteTS and iC2 remote control systems. These are wireless remote control devices that are designed to operate audio, video and home theater systems from a single remote control. The iRemoteTS measures 5.4 by 6.2 by 1.25 inches. The Niles logo is featured in the top-left corner of the unit. The iC2 measures 5.2 by 3 by 7.5 inches. “iC2” and the Niles logo are printed on the front of the unit.

Sold at: Authorized dealers and distributors of audio/video equipment between January 2008 and September 2010 for about $1,300 for the iRemoteTS and $1,000 for the iC2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and contact Niles Audio to schedule an in-home repair to receive a replacement battery and a more secure battery cover. Consumers should not attempt to open the battery compartment. Niles Audio is directly contacting consumers who purchased the recalled remote control systems.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Niles Audio at (800) 667-3991 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.nilesaudio.com/recall

Filed Under: Consumer Electronics, Features, Household, News, Recalls, Safety Tagged With: audio/video equipment, audio/video equipment recall, iC2 remote control systems, iC2 remote control systems recall, Niles iRemoteTS, Niles iRemoteTS recall, recalled wireless remote control devices, Remote Control Systems by Niles Audio, wireless remote control devices

Recall: Atico International USA Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

February 22, 2011 By Appliance

Name of Product: TrueLiving Heater Fans and Portable Quartz Radiant Heaters

Units: About 92,000

Sourcing Agent: Atico International USA, Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Importer/Retailer: Dollar General Stores, of Goodlettsville, Tenn.

Hazard: These heaters have caught fire, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Atico has received eight reports of the A14B1053 Heater Fan overheating and 21 reports of the A14B0979 Quartz Heater overheating. Reports for the A14B1053 Heater Fan included one report of damage to an electrical outlet and wall and one report of flames coming out of the front of the unit. Reports for the A14B0979 Quartz Heater included damage to the heater’s plug, one report of flames coming from a control knob and one report of a consumer receiving minor burns to the hand. For both products, reports included incidents of smoke and melting of the plastic casing.

Description: Both heaters can be identified by the following model and item numbers and universal product codes (UPC):
Model# Item# UPC
Heater Fans NSB-200B A14B1053 40022749831
Model# Item# UPC
Portable Quartz Radiant Heaters HD-700 A14B0979 400022750066

Model numbers are found on a silver colored sticker on the bottom of the unit. Additionally, both heaters are marked with manufacturing dates between 6/1/2010 and 8/30/2010. The date code appears as “DATE CODE: 0610”

Sold exclusively at: Dollar General Stores from September 2010 to December 2010. The heater fans sold for about $15 and the quartz radiant heater sold for about $42.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and return them to any Dollar General Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Atico International USA toll-free at (866) 448-7856 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.aticousa.com

Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls, Safety, Small Appliances Tagged With: Atico International USA Heaters, Atico International USA Heaters recall, Dollar General Stores, Dollar General Stores heater, Dollar General Stores heater recall, Portable Quartz Radiant Heaters, Portable Quartz Radiant Heaters recall, TrueLiving Heater Fans, TrueLiving Heater Fans recall

Recall: LEM Products Food Dehydrators Due to Fire Hazard

February 21, 2011 By Appliance

Name of Product: Food dehydrators with digital timers

Units: About 3,500

Distributor: LEM Products, of Harrison, Ohio

Hazard: The screws that secure the motor to the back panel can come loose, causing the motor to fall on the heating element. This poses a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: LEM Products has received five reports of motors falling on the unit’s heating element resulting in smoke or fire contained in the unit. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves 5-tray and 10-tray LEM food dehydrators with serial numbers 2010 0701, 2010 0702, 2010 07021, 2010 0901, 2010 0902, 2010 1001 or 2010 1101. The dehydrators are gray and are made of plastic. The LEM logo is embossed on the top of the unit. The serial number is located on the label on the back panel. The last section of the UPC code found in the packaging reads “1009 1” for the 5-tray unit and “1010 7” for the 10-tray unit.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers and retailers nationwide and online at www.lemproducts.com from August 2010 through December 2010 for about $160.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dehydrators and contact LEM Products to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact LEM Products toll-free at (877) 425-4509 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the website at www.lemproducts.com

Filed Under: Cooking, Features, Household, Kitchen, News, Recalls, Safety, Small Appliances Tagged With: Dehydrator recall, LEM Products Food Dehydrators, LEM Products Food Dehydrators recall, recalled Food Dehydrators

Recall: Hoover WindTunnel Canister Vacuums Due to Fire and Shock Hazards

February 11, 2011 By Appliance

Name of Product: Hoover® WindTunnel Canister Vacuums

Units: About 142,000

Importer: Hoover Inc., of Glenwillow, Ohio

Hazard: The power cord between the power nozzle and the wand connector can short-circuit posing fire and shock hazards to consumers. This condition can occur even if the vacuum has been turned off but left plugged in.

Incidents/Injuries: Hoover has received 69 reports of overheating or electrical malfunction, including one report of fire and smoke damage, and two reports of carpet damage. There has been one report of a minor injury.

Description: This recall involves the Hoover WindTunnel Bagless Canister Vacuum model S3755. The vacuum is silver and black in color, and comes with a power nozzle. The model number can be found on a label on the bottom of the canister.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers, department stores and independent vacuum retailers nationwide and online from March 2003 to December 2008 for between $250 and $280.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vacuum cleaners and contact Hoover for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hoover toll-free at (888) 564-2066 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.hoover.com/windtunnelcanisterrecall

Filed Under: Features, Household, News, Recalls, Safety, Vacuum Cleaners Tagged With: Bagless Canister Vacuum, canister vacuum, Hoover vacuum recall, Hoover WindTunnel Bagless Canister Vacuum model S3755, Hoover WindTunnel Canister Vacuums, Hoover WindTunnel Canister Vacuums recall, vacuum recall

Recall: Lasko Portable Electric Heaters Due To Fire Hazard

February 9, 2011 By Appliance

Type of Product: Portable electric heater

Units: About 107,500 units.

Manufacturer: Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa.

Hazard: An electrical connection in the base of the unit can overheat, causing it to melt and expose the electrical connection, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lasko received a total of 36 reports of the electrical connection overheating with no reports of injury. There were 18 reports of minor burn damage to floors or carpets.

Description: The portable, electric, tower heaters are 20.5 inches tall x 8.25 inches wide x 9.25 inches deep. They are dark grey with silver front covers and black vent slats. The brand names Lasko or Air King are on the top, center of the front cover. The Lasko Model 5540 and Air King Model 8540 subject to this recall were manufactured in 2002 and have date codes that begin with a “2.” The date code is on the label located on the bottom of the unit. The date code is a four-digit number on the bottom left area of the label, above the voltage number. Heaters with date codes beginning with “3,” “4” or “5” are not subject to this recall.

Sold at: The Lasko Model 5540 was sold at Sam’s Club and other retailers from September 2002 through early 2004 for $39 to $49. The Air King Model 8540 was sold primarily through the maintenance, repair and operating products supply company, W.W. Grainger Inc. from late 2002 to 2004 for approximately $80.00

Manufactured in: China

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

Consumer Contact: For additional information and pictures of affected models, visit Lasko’s website at www.Laskoproducts.com, or call Lasko anytime, toll-free at (800) 363-8044.

Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls, Safety, Small Appliances Tagged With: electric heater recall, heater recall, Lasko Portable Electric Heaters, Lasko Portable Electric Heaters recall, portable heater recall

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