Safety

Recall: Fagor America Inc.Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

December 22, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Fagor Refrigerators

Units: About 1,400

Importer: Fagor America Inc., of Lyndhurst, N.J.

Hazard: The refrigerator’s control board can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Fagor America has received 19 reports of incidents, including two reports of fires resulting in damage to the refrigerator and surrounding property. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Fagor 24-inch wide refrigerators sold in stainless steel and black. “Fagor” is printed on the refrigerator’s front door. Model and serial numbers are located inside the refrigerator door, on the left hand side near the food storage drawers.

Model: Fagor T/3FCA-68NFX — Serial numbers starting with 0609xxxxx through 0727xxxxx
Model: 3FCA-68NFX — Serial numbers starting with 0746xxxxx through 1017xxxxx
Model: FCA-86ART — Serial numbers starting with 0839xxxxx through 0915xxxxx

Sold at: Specialty Home Appliance Stores nationwide between July 2006 and May 2010 for between $2,000 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: Spain

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the refrigerator, unplug it and contact the Fagor repair hotline to schedule a free inspection and repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fagor America at (888) 354-4411 between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.fagoramerica.com

Recall: Wal-Mart Recalls Electric Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

December 20, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze & Comfort Essentials Heaters

Units: About 2.2 million

Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas

Hazard: The heaters can malfunction resulting in overheating, smoking, burning, melting and fire.

Incidents/Injuries: Wal-Mart has received 21 reports of incidents, which included 11 reports of property damage beyond the heater. Injuries were reported in four incidents, three of which required medical attention for minor burns and smoke inhalation. The remaining incidents included smoke irritation, sparking or property damage beyond the heater.

Description: This recall involves Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze and Comfort Essentials 1500 watt heaters. The heaters are grey with a metal handle on the top with vents and grey control knobs on the front. The model number is 1013 and can be found on a label on the lower left corner of the back panel of the heater.

Sold Exclusively at: Walmart stores nationwide from December 2001 through October 2009 for about $18.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heater and return the product to any Walmart store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Wal-Mart toll-free at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.walmart.com

Space Heater Safety – Keep Your Loved Ones Safe

December 18, 2010 By NightOwl

A portable electric heater can be a great convenience in cold weather, but if not used properly can be a fire or electric shock hazard. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has developed this helpful list of tips for safely using a portable electric heater. Take time to review the information in
this guide, as well as the use and care manual provided by the manufacturer.

These safety tips apply to all types of portable electric heaters.

DO NOT leave operating heater unattended and always unplug heater when not in use.

DO NOT use your heater with a power strip or extension cord. Overheating of a power strip or extension cord could result in a fire.

String out cords on top of area rugs or carpeting. Placing anything, including furniture, on top of the cord may damage it.

Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes and curtains at least three feet from the front of the heater and away from the sides and rear. DO NOT block heater’s air intake or exhaust source.

Keep flammable materials away from the heater.

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.

Check periodically for a secure plug/outlet fit. If the plug does not fit snugly into the outlet or if the plug becomes very hot, the outlet may need to be replaced. Check with a qualified electrician to replace the outlet.

Unplug the heater when not in use by pulling the plug straight out from the outlet. Inspect the heater’s cord periodically. DO NOT use a heater with a damaged cord.

DO NOT plug any other electrical device into the same outlet as your heater. This could result in overheating.

Heaters should be kept away from children and not be placed in a child’s room without supervision.

Place heater on a level, flat surface. Only use heater on table tops when specified by the manufacturer. DO NOT place your heater on furniture. It could fall, dislodging or breaking parts in the heater.

Recall: Portable Table-Saws by Ryobi Due to Laceration Hazard

December 17, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Ryobi RTS20 portable table-saws

Units: About 21,500

Distributor: One World Technologies, of Anderson, S.C.

Hazard: The saw blade on the motor carriage could be misaligned, posing a laceration hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The company received one report of a consumer being hit by a piece of metal during the cutting operation. There was no report of a physical injury or property damage.

Description: This recall involves the RTS20 Ryobi ten-inch, portable table-saw. The table saw has a blue base and warning label with the model RTS20 and the Ryobi name printed on it and attached to the rear of the saw.

Sold exclusively at: Home Depot retail outlets nationwide and Canada from July 2010 through October 2010 for about $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should contact Ryobi immediately to receive a free inspection of their product and, if necessary, a free repair or replacement of their RTS20 Ryobi table-saw.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ryobi at (800) 597-9624 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.ryobitools.com

Tipping Stoves – A Real Danger to Children

December 3, 2010 By NightOwl

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched an investigation into the recent death of a toddler crushed by a stove. This horrific accident is not as unusual as we would like to believe.

Since 1980, there have been 34 deaths. In just the past five years, there have been more than 1,600 appliance-related injuries having to do with instability and tip-over.

My News3 put four year old Clementina Gonzales to the test. She was easily able to move the stove off a wall, and she only weighs 40 pounds.

The stove we tested was not mounted to the wall, which was likely the case in the incident over the weekend when a stove toppled over onto a 17 month old boy, killing him. Police say it happened when the boy’s father stepped away to pack a travel bag. He was only gone a few minutes.

Appliance specialist Richard Rodriguez showed us how an L-shaped bracket can prevent a stove from tipping over.

“On every gas or electric range, this is called the anti-dip tip device. Like it says, it keeps the range from tipping over. They’ll put this in backwards toward the wall and then they’ll slide the range in, onto it, and screw it down.”

Since 1991, industry standards have required that stoves come with the brackets. Instructions on how to install them are on the first page of most owner’s manuals. So far, there are no federal regulations requiring the brackets.

Clementina’s father says he did not get a bracket with his stove.

“…we just purchased it not too long ago and pretty much just hooked up the gas line to it and scooted it into place and that’s it,” said Joe Gonzalez.

Big hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s do not sell these brackets separately, but we did locate some with a Google search. You might be able to find one at an appliance part store. You may also contact your stove manufacturer and order one directly.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission just published an evaluation on stove stability. It found static weight between 40 and 50 pounds at the edge of an oven door was enough to tip all ranges tested forward.

The bottom line is that a slide-in range is a danger without being bracketed into the wall. I would suggest that those brackets be bolted into the wall stud.

A quick check behind the range will tell you if you have the brackets already installed:

A simple, inexpensive, lifesaving addition to installation.

Recall: Camping Stoves and Equipment by Katadyn North America Due to Fire Hazard

November 27, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Camping Stoves and Equipment

Units: About 5,300 in the United States and 2,400 in Canada

Importer: Katadyn North America Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: Damaged fuel lines and/or O-rings may cause fuel leakage, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: There are 70 reports of incidents involving the stove’s fuel line leaking or damage to O-rings. No injuries or fires have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Optimus Nova and Nova+ camping stoves and equipment, including the stove’s fuel pump and spare parts/repair kits. The stoves are black metal, measure about 6 inches in diameter and 3 ½ inches high and can be used with multiple types of fuel. Stove serial numbers QA000011 through QA007313 are included in this recall. The serial number and “Optimus” are printed on the side of the camping stove. Pumps and spare parts kits also were sold separately. Pumps have a green open/close valve. Spare parts kits model numbers include 80163051, 8520, 80176321 and 8511 and are printed on the packaging.

Sold at: Specialty outdoor and sporting goods retailers in the United States and Canada and on the Internet from January 2009 through September 2010 for between $150 and $180. The pumps and spare parts kits were also sold separately for between $15 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the camping stove and equipment and contact Katadyn to receive a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Katadyn at (800) 755-6701 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also register for the recall on the firm’s website at www.optimusstoves.com/usen/

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1191

Recall: Meijer Oscillating Ceramic Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

November 26, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heaters

Units: About 6,700

Importer: Meijer, of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Manufacturer: Ningbo Dongji Electronic Tech Co. LTC, of Ningbo, Dongki, China

Hazard: The oscillating mechanism in the heaters can short out, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Meijer has received two reports of incidents involving fires that resulted in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Touch Point PTC oscillating ceramic heater with model number PTC-902 and serial numbers between 35005-43008. Model and serial numbers are located on a sticker on the bottom of the heater. The grey/silver colored heaters are about 10 inches tall and have a screen across the front.

Sold exclusively at: Meijer stores in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio from October 2009 through October 2010 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and return them to the nearest Meijer retail store for a full refund of the purchase price.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Meijer toll-free at (866) 280-8419 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.meijer.com

Recall: Haier America and Black and Decker Chest Freezers Due to Fire Hazard

November 4, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Chest Freezers

Units: About 67,500

Importer: Haier America Trading LLC, New York, N.Y.

Hazard: A capacitor in the freezer’s circuitry can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Haier America and CPSC have received reports of 18 incidents, including four reports of fires with minor property damage, consisting of smoke damage, damage to a wall, and food spoilage. There have been no reports of injuries.

Description: This recall involves the Black & Decker® Model BFE53 and Haier® Model ESNCM053E 5.3 cubic foot capacity white chest freezers. “Black & Decker” is printed at the front upper-right corner or “Haier” is printed on the front upper-left corner of the freezer. “Black & Decker” or “Haier,” the model number, the unit’s serial number and other information are printed on a rating label at the top center of the back of the freezer. Only Model BFE53 and Model ESNCM053E freezers with serial numbers beginning as follows are included in this recall:

Beginning of Serial Number
on Rating Label
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007

Sold at: Black & Decker Model BFE53 was sold exclusively at Wal-Mart nationwide from January 2010 through September 2010, for about $150. Haier Model ESNCM053E was sold through Amazon.com and other retailers from May 2010 through October 2010 for between $220 to $290.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug their freezer and contact the company to schedule an appointment for a free repair to the freezer.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call the company toll-free at (877) 878-7579 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Saturdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Sundays or visit the firm’s website at www.chestfreezerrecall.com

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell them about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Recall: GE Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

October 28, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: GE Profile™ and GE Monogram® Dishwashers

Units: About 174,000

Manufacturer: GE Appliances & Lighting, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: Water condensation can drip onto the electronic control board, causing a short circuit and resulting in an overheated connector. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received five reports of fires, four of which caused minor damage to the kitchen countertops where the dishwashers were installed and one caused minor damage to adjacent cabinets and smoke damage to the home. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the GE Profile dishwashers manufactured between July 2003 and December 2005 and GE Monogram dishwashers manufactured between January 2004 and December 2006. They were sold in white, black, bisque, stainless steel and with custom panels. The recalled model and serial numbers listed below are located on the inside on the front left side of the dishwasher tubs.

(Click to Enlarge)

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide, appliance dealers and authorized builder distributors from July 2003 through December 2006 for between $750 and $1,400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it and inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire. Contact GE for a free in-home repair or to receive a GE rebate of $200 for the purchase of a new GE Profile dishwasher and a GE rebate of $400 for purchase of a new GE Monogram dishwasher.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (877) 275-6840 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company’s website at www.geappliances.com/recall

Recall: Frigidaire and Electrolux ICON Electric Smoothtop Cooktops and Slide-In Ranges Due to Fire Hazard

October 25, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Frigidaire and Electrolux ICON Smoothtop Electric Cooktops and Frigidaire Slide-in Ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays

Units: About 122,000

Manufacturer: Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.

Hazard: Liquids can pool under the control knob and cause the surface heating element to turn on unexpectedly, heat to temperatures other than expected and then not turn off, posing a risk of fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Electrolux has received 70 reports of incidents, including three reports of fires that resulted in property damage. Three minor burn injuries were reported.

Description: This recall involves Frigidaire and Electrolux ICON smoothtop electric cooktops and Frigidaire slide-in ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. Model and serial numbers for the slide-in ranges can be found inside the oven door on the left side of the unit or on the underside surface on cooktop models. The following model and serial numbers are included in this recall:

Frigidaire Serial Number Range and Models

Serial Number Range: NF501XXXXX through NF952XXXXX
Model Numbers GLEC30S9EB
GLEC36S9EB
GLEC30S9EQ
GLEC36S9EQ
GLEC30S9ES GLEC36S9ES
GLES389EB
GLES389EQ
GLES389ES
GLES389FB GLES389FQ
GLES389FS
LEEC30S9FE
LEEC36S9FE
LES389FE PLEC30S9EC
PLEC36S9EC
PLES389EC
PLES399EC

Electrolux ICON Serial Number Range and Models

Serial Number Range: NF501XXXXX through NF045XXXXX
Model Numbers E30EC65ESS E36EC65ESS

Sold at: Mass merchandise and independent retail stores from January 2005 through August 2010 for between $500 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using and unplug the recalled ranges or power off cooktops at the circuit breaker. Contact Electrolux for information on how to obtain a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Electrolux at (888) 281-5310 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday or visit the firm’s website at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com (Frigidaire) or www.cooktoprecall.com (Electrolux).