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Recycle Your Old Monitor and Other Electronics

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Best Buy will take and recycle your unwanted appliances free of charge.  One hundred seventeen stores in the Baltimore, San Francisco, and Minnesota areas are welcoming customers to bring in no more than two units per day, per household, for recycling at no charge. Customers can bring in items such as televisions and monitors up to 32-inches, computers, phones, cameras, and other electronics devices and peripherals.

Best Buy said it would work with its stores, recycling partners, and manufacturers to evaluate the success of the test and determine options for scaling it across the United States.

Advice for Buying a High-Def TV

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If you are shopping for a high-def TV, you’ll need to decide which type you’d like. Will you go for LCD(liquid crystal display), plasma, or HD rear projection microdisplay? Let us offer some information and advice to make your decision a little easier.

LCD

These televisions are thin and lightweight with bright picture contrast. That is good in a room with a lot of light. The largest screens are 46 inches and the picture quality is not quite as good as a plasma TV.

Plasma

These have the most lifelike picture, with 180 degree viewing angles. They are quite large screens, with nothing smaller than 42 inches.

HD Rear Projection

Cathode ray tube rear projetion sets are being phased out, but new hi-def flat screen have great picture quality. They are not meant hanging on the wall.

Your new TV can be wall hung and all the cable and wires hidden – no TV cabinet necessary. Although it is a job for a do-it-yourselfer, it requires some know how. Sets over 32 inches will be at least a two person installation job. Mounting requires a mounting kit with costs ranging from$100 to $200. Kits that swivel and tilt will cost more.

Before you go shopping, decide how large a screen you’d like, LCD is the best choice for for 42 inches and under. Plasma or rear projection are better for larger sets.

You can get a a high definition television without spending a fortune, or you can really blow a wad on one if you are inclined. For example, there is Samsung’s Slimfit which we found selling for $380. This has CRT technology and is only 16.5 inches deep. A pricier choice could be Sony’s Bravia which is 40″ wide and retails for about $1600. If you have the money, the Pioneer PDP-6010FD has two million pixels on an almost 60 inch screen. It also has four independent HDMI 1.3 inputs and a new room light sensor for adjusting to the viewing surroundings. This one will set you back about $4,000.

High definition televisions have a picture quality that is superior to analog TV and next year, over-the-air TV will be phased out. Analog televisions will require converters. If you are in the market for a new television , a high-def TV might just be the way to go.

Tip: How to Clean Your Computer Keyboard

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Computer keyboards are one of the dirtiest, germiest surfaces in the house. (So is the mouse.) Take a few minutes to clean your keyboard using supplies you probably already have around – just unplug it first. Next, turn it over a trash can and lightly shake out any dirt or dust that has accumulated. Clean the keys with a soft cloth lightly moistened with rubbing alcohol. ( You can do this to the mouse as well.) Finally, run a fabric softener sheet over the keys to cut back on dust-attracting static electricity. You’re done! A clean keyboard in under five minutes.

MailMate Paper Shredder

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It can hard to find a paper shredder that fits your needs.  Many require a specific size trash can or are too big for household use. 

The MailMate which is available at Staples is so compact it can fit on a countertop, in a cabinet or under a table.  Also, the lightweight bin is easy to empty. 

The heavy duty motor can grind up unopened junk mail, CDs or DVDs (one at a time) and can shred up to ten folded sheets of paper at a time.  It also can handle staples and small paper clips.

Specifications:

  • 10-folded sheets, Heavy Duty Cross-cut, up to 100 uses/day
  • Shreds CDs/DVDs, credit cards, staples & small paper clips
  • 1.5-gallon basket
  • Light weight, pull-out bin and rubberized handle make emptying easy
  • Throat Width: 6″ (152.4 MM)
  • Shred Size: .2″ x 1″ (4 x 25 mm)
  • Finish: Stainless Steel/Black
  • Dimensions: 10.2″L X 11.8″W 11″H
  • Overload Protection with Auto Reverse Feature
  • Digital Control Switches
  • Auto Off Feature: powers down after 30 minutes
  • Non-skid rubber feet
  • Shred Speed: 5.6 Ft/min. (1.7 M/min.)
  • Overheat & Power LEDs
  • Weight: 15.2 lbs
  • 1 year mfr. limited warranty, 10 year mfr. limited cutter warranty

Bright Lights, Bad Headaches?

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This may stretch the appliance theme a bit, but since so many of us are switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs to save energy, I think it is worth sharing. According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld at Parade Magazine, new research suggests some dangers:

Flickering bulbs have been reported to precipitate migraines or even seizures, though manufacturers say the new models have been improved. Fluorescent light can also aggravate skin rashes in people with lupus, eczema, dermatitis or porphyria.

Perhaps most important, the bulbs contain mercury.  If one breaks, don’t vacuum the debris- that can release toxic dust into the air.  Leave the room for 15 minutes.  Then, wearing gloves, place the fragments into a plastic bag, seal it and take it to a recycling center.

Recall: Glue Guns by Dollar Tree Stores Due to Fire, Burn and Shock Hazards

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Name of Product: Crafters Square Hot Melt Mini Glue Guns

Units: About 253,000

Retailer: Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va.

Importer: Greenbrier International Inc., of Chesapeake, Va.

Hazard: The recalled glue guns can short circuit, causing the gun to smoke and catch fire. This poses fire, burn and shock hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Dollar Tree is aware of seven incidents in which these glue guns short circuited resulting in two injuries, including electrical shock and burns.

Description: The glue guns dispense hot glue and are intended for craft projects. The recalled glue gun is black with a yellow trigger and is approximately 4 1/2 inches from the back of the gun to the tip. Attached is a 44-inch electrical cord. “Crafters Square” and product number 818261-72 or 818261-75 are located on the guns’ packaging.

Manufactured in: China

Sold at: Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1, and Deal$ stores nationwide from February 2007 through August 2007 for about $1.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled glue guns and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dollar Tree Stores Inc. at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.dollartree.com

Picture of Recalled Glue Gun

 

Celluon Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard

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Here’s an idea: A keyboard that doesn’t really exist, or that can exist on any opaque, flat surface.

At compactimpact.com, a crazy site that says about itself: Some people think “Compact Impact” stands for a small impact, others consider it as something small with a big impact. 

 I found this unusual device that projects a keyboard (measuring approx. 240mm x 105mm) onto a flat, opaque surface and tracks your finger movements, translating them into keystrokes. Size of device: 93mm x 39mm x 37mm. . Retails for about $160.

Compatible Operating Systems:
Acer
– N30 Windows Mobile 2003 – N50 Windows Mobile 2003
Audiovox
– PPC 6601 Windows Mobile 2003 – PPC-6700 Windows Mobile 2003 – XV6600 Windows Mobile 2003
Cingular
– 8125 Windows Mobile 5.0 – 8100 Windows Mobile 5.0 – HP iPAQ – H1940 Windows Mobile 2003 – H1945 Windows Mobile 2003 – H2210 Windows Mobile 2003 – H2215 Windows Mobile 2003 – H4150 Windows Mobile 2003 – H4155 Windows Mobile 2003 – H4350 Windows Mobile 2003 – H4355 Windows Mobile 2003 – H5550 Windows Mobile 2003 – H5555 Windows Mobile 2003 – H6340 Windows Mobile 2003 – H6300 Windows Mobile 2003 – H6315 Windows Mobile 2003 – H6320 Windows Mobile 2003 – H6510 Windows Mobile 2003 – HX2110 Windows Mobile 2003 – HX2410 Windows Mobile 2003 – HX2490 Windows Mobile 5.0 – HX2495 Windows Mobile 5.0 – HX2700 Windows Mobile 5.0 – HX2750 Windows Mobile 2003 – HX2755 Windows Mobile 2003 – HX2790 Windows Mobile 5.0 – HX2795 Windows Mobile 5.0 – HX3715 Windows Mobile 5.0 – HX4700 Windows Mobile 2003 – HX4705 Windows Mobile 2003 – RW6818 Windows Mobile 5.0 – RW6828 Windows Mobile 5.0 – RX3100 Windows Mobile 2003 – RX3115 Windows Mobile 2003 – RX3715 Windows Mobile 2003 – i-Mat pocket PC – Jam Windows Mobile 2003 – Jamin Windows Mobile 5.0 – JASJAR Windows Mobile 5.0 – k-Jam Windows Mobile 5.0 – PDA2 Windows Mobile 2003 – PDA2K Windows Mobile 2003
O2
– Neo Windows Mobile 5.0 – XDA2 Windows Mobile 2003 – XDAIIi Windows Mobile 2003 – XDAIIimini Windows Mobile 2003 – XDAIIs Windows Mobile 2003 – XDA Atom Windows Mobile 5.0 – XDA Exec Windows Mobile 5.0 – XDAMini-Pro Windows Mobile 5.0
Orange
– SPVM1000 Windows Mobile 2003 – SPVM2000 Windows Mobile 2003 – SPVM2500 Windows Mobile 2003 – SPVM3000 Windows Mobile 5.0 – SPVM5000 Windows Mobile 5.0 – SPVM600 Windows Mobile 5.0
Palm
– Treo 700w Windows Mobile 5.0 – Treo 700wx Windows Mobile 5.0
QTEK
– 2020 Windows Mobile 2003 – 2020i Windows Mobile 2003 – 9000 Windows Mobile 5.0 – 9090 Windows Mobile 2003 – 9100 Windows Mobile 5.0 – s100 Windows Mobile 2003 – s110 Windows Mobile 2003 – s200 Windows Mobile 5.0
Samsung
– i730 Windows Mobile 2003
Siemens
– Sx66 Windows Mobile 2003
Sprint
– 6700 Windows Mobile 5.0 – XV6600 Windos Mobile 2003
T-Mobile
– MDA Windows Mobile 5.0 – MDA-Compact Windows Mobile 2003 – MDA-CompactIIWindows Mobile 5.0 – MDA-II Windows Mobile 2003 – MDA -III Windows Mobile 2003 – MDA-iV Windows mobile 5.0 – MDA-pro Windows mobile 5.0
Verizon
– Vx6600 Windows Mobile 2003 – “XV6700 Windows Mobile 5.0
Vodafone
– VPA II Windows Mobile 5.0 – VPA III Windows Mobile 2003 – VPA iV Windows Mobile 5.0
Fujitju-Siemens
– 710 Windows Mobile 2003 – 720 Windows Mobile 2003 – LOOX N560 Windows Mobile 5.0
DELL Axim
– x30 Windows Mobile 2003 – X3i Windows Mobile 2003 – X50 Windows Mobile 2003 – X50v Windows Mobile 2003 – X51 Windows Mobile 5.0 – X51v Windows Mobile 5.0
E-PLUS
– PDA 2 Windows Mobile 2003 – PDA 3 Windows Mobile 2003

Have fun with the Laserkey ‘projection keyboard’. Made possible thanks to 3D Electronic Perception Technology (EPT), this device projects a keyboard (measuring approx. 240mm x 105mm) onto a flat, opaque surface and tracks your finger movements, translating them into keystrokes. Size of device: 93mm x 39mm x 37mm. Weight: 109g.

Recall: Intermatic Digital Timers Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

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Name of Product: Intermatic DT27 Digital Self-Adjusting Timers

Units: 8,500

Importer: Intermatic Inc., of Spring Grove, Ill.

Manufacturer: Ewig Industries Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd., of Macau, China

Hazard: The recalled timers could have been wired incorrectly, which poses an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Intermatic DT27 digital self-adjusting timer with a date code of “04B.” This product is a lamp and appliance timer and is packaged as either the “DT27C Heavy Duty Digital Timer” or the “DT27CL Time All® Digital Lamp and Appliance Self-Adjusting Timer.” The timer is white with a rounded top, and measures 3 7/8” tall by 2 3/4” wide by 1 5/8” deep. The brand name “Intermatic” is molded on the front of the timer, and the model number (“DT27”) and date code (“04B”) are printed on the back of the timer.

Sold at: Retailers nationwide, including Home Depot and Lowe’s, from February 2007 through December 2007 for between $15 and $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled timer immediately and unplug before checking the model number and date code. Consumers should contact Intermatic to return the timer and obtain a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, or to request a prepaid shipping label, call Intermatic at (800) 704-3595 anytime or visit the company’s Web site at www.intermatic.com

Front View of Recalled Digital Timer
Front View

Back View of Recalled Digital Timer
Back View

Close Up of Label on Recalled Digital Timer
Close Up of Label

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Recall: Digital Color Printers by Oki Data Americas Due to Risk of Electrical Shock

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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

Picture of Recalled C9600 Series Digital Color Printer Picture of Recalled C9600 Series Digital Color Printer

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Recall:Home Automation Inc. Recalls Wireless Receivers Due to Failure to Receive Security Signal

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The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 64 Zone Wireless Receivers

Units: About 200

Manufacturer: Home Automation Inc., New Orleans, La.

Hazard: If the receiver loses power, it could fail to receive the signal from transmitters monitoring for intrusion detection in a property and place the security of residents at risk.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the 64 Zone Wireless Receivers with model 45A00-1 and revision number B1. The receiver is an accessory to the Home Automation Inc. Home Control System and is professionally installed. The model and revision numbers can be found on a label on the back of the unit.

Sold by: The receivers were sold to distributors nationwide from July 2007 through September 2007 for between $120 and $150.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should not rely on the recalled receivers to obtain security information. Consumers should contact Home Automation Inc. for a free replacement receiver. Consumers with recalled receivers will be notified by the company.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Home Automation Inc. at (800) 229-7256 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.homeauto.com (pdf)

Picture of Recalled 64 Zone Wireless Receiver