Archives for April 2007

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.

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.

Hot Fuzz – Killing Refrigerator Magnates With Comedy

April 20, 2007 By Appliance

From the makers of “Shaun of the Dead” comes this weekend’s hot buzz movie release “Hot Fuzz”.

In a parody of American cop movies “Bad Boys”, the posters for this movie read “They’re bad boys. They’re die hards. They’re lethal weapons. They are… HOT FUZZ”.

What on EARTH does this movie have to do with kitchen or home appliances? Cereal murder, maybe? Nah.

Apparently one of the victims is a “refrigerator magnate”.

Which got me thinking… in what movies or TV shows have home appliances played a prominent role, or at least a funny line?

I’ll start this off…

Lilo & Stitch:
Nani: You are so finished when I get in there! I’m gonna stuff you in the blender, push “puree,” then bake you into a pie and feed it to the social worker! And when he says, “Mmmm, this is great, what’s your secret?” I’m gonna say…
[Mr. Bubbles hooks his foot around hers and pulls her away from the dog-door]
Nani: …Love… and… nurturing…
ALF:
Alf: The cat won’t fit in the toaster. Never mind, I’ll make a peanut butter sandwich, where’s the blender?
The Simpsons
Marge Simpson: Ooh, the toaster takes bagels. How ritzy.
Kate & Leopold
Leopold: Why is it called a toaster when it produces no toast, but simply warm bread, and inserting it two times produces charcoal? The ideal toaster would have one and a half insertions to produce the correct toast.

Love to read your favorites in our comments.