Fire and Burn Hazards Prompt Recall of Gas Grills Sold at Lowe’s Stores

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Perfect Flame Double Lid Four Burner Gas Grills.  Consumers should stop using the grills immediately.

 

The cooking chamber of the grill can melt and/or ignite, posing a risk of fires and burn injuries to consumers. There have been 175 reports of grill fires and 25 reports of grills melting, some of which resulted in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The grills sold at Lowe’s stores from October 2007 through July 2008 for about $300.

Smithtown Fire Department Endorses New Federal Law Mandating Child Resistant Portable Gasoline Containers

Children and gasoline don’t mix. With the passage of the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act, an additional layer of fire safety and burn protection has been added for families across the country.

The Smithtown Fire Department is pleased that President George W. Bush signed the Act into law which requires portable gasoline containers manufactured for sale in the U.S. on or after January 17, 2009 to conform to child resistance safety requirements.

Gasoline containers will join containers with other flammable liquids, such as turpentine, charcoal lighter fluid, and torch fuel that are required to have child resistant closures. CPSC has jurisdiction over child resistant product packaging.

“Families who purchase gasoline cans with child resistant gas caps and who keep all flammable liquids out of the sight and reach of children are improving the safety of their homes,” said Smithtown Fire Departments Public Information Officer Jeff Bressler.

The Smithtown Fire Department recommends these safety tips for consumers storing flammable materials.

Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Sold Exclusively in Walgreens Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards by TWIE

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the recall of TWIE Remote Controlled Helicopter.

Maple Chase Co. Recalls Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Combo Alarms Due to Alarm Malfunction

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the recall of FireX smoke alarms.

Onward Manufacturing Recalls Gas Grills Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the following product  recall:   Onward Gas Grills

Deck Cleaner Recall

As warmer weather nears and Smithtown residents start doing spring cleaning around the house, the Fire Department wants to make you aware of a deck cleaner recall. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

 

Avon Products Recalls Plush Warming Polar Bears Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the following product  recall:   Avon is recalling 113,000 Cozy Warming Polar Bears due to fire and burn hazards.The warming pouch inside the bear can overheat and ignite when heated in a microwave oven.Avon has received 41 reports of the warming polar bear overheating, including six reports of minor burns.

The recalled white plush warming bear has a red hat and brown nose. It is about 17 inches long and comes with a buckwheat-filled pouch that is heated in a microwave oven and is inserted into an opening in the bear’s belly. “Avon Products” is printed on a white tag sewn onto the bear.

The bears were sold by independent Avon sales representatives and online from July 2007 through February 2008 for about $13 when sold alone, or as part of a gift set that sold for about $100.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled warming bear and return the buckwheat-filled pouch for a full refund. Avon is directly contacting consumers who purchased the warming bear.

For additional information, contact Avon toll-free at (877) 217-0916.

Salton Inc. Recalls Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the following product  recall:   

  Company :    Salton Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill.  

Alert Type:     Recall Date 03/19/2008 

 Description :    This recall involves the chrome two-slice electric toasters sold under the following brands:  Farberware (model # FCT200 or FCT100), Hoffritz (model # HZT2 and HZT2M), and Russell Hobbs (model #RH2MT).  

The brand name and model number are printed on a plate located on the underside of the toaster.  

Sold by:     Online and retail liquidators nationwide from January 2000 through December 2007 for between $40 and $50. Problem The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard.

JCPenney Recalls Cooks Deep Fryers Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the following product  recall: 

Name of Product: Cooks Deep Fryers 

Units: About 27,000 Importer: JCPenney, of Plano, Texas 

Hazard: The deep fryer has a faulty heating element which can cause it to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. 

Incidents/Injuries: JCPenney is aware of five incidents involving the deep fryers, including one report of a minor burn and three reports of damaged countertops. 

Description: The Cooks deep fryer has a brushed stainless steel exterior, a wire mesh basket with a handle, a lid with a window and black handles. The deep fryer has a 1/3-gallon capacity. “Cooks” is stamped on the side of the deep fryer. Model number 22016 is printed on the bottom of the deep fryer. 

Sold exlusively at: JCPenney’s stores nationwide, catalog and at www.jcp.com from August 2007 through January 2008 for about $50. 

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the deep fryer and return it to the nearest JCPenney store for a full refund. 

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact JCPenney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.jcp.com 

Portable Air Compressors Sold Exclusively at Advance Auto Parts Stores Recalled Due to Fire and Electrical Hazards

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the following product recall:

Company	All-Power America, City of Industry, CA
Alert Type	Recall
Date	03/06/2008
Description	The recall involves the 4.6 gallon, 3.5 HP Strike Force(tm) brand portable air compressor and includes the following model and serial numbers, which can be found on their Web site.
Problem	The compressor’s motor can overheat and ignite the protective cover, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Also, the cover might not prevent internal components from being touched, which poses an electrical shock hazard.

Pier 1 Imports Recalls Tealight Candle Holders Due to Fire Hazard

The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the following recall:

Company	Pier 1 Imports, Fort Worth, TX
Alert Type	Recall
Date	03/06/2008
Description	The metal Tealight Candle Holder measures 7″ x 7″ and has a silver metallic top with a black base. It has nine square openings for use with tealight candles. The product’s SKU number 2174941 can be located on the bottom of the base.
Problem	The spacing of the holes in a concentrated pattern allows the holder to heat-up. This can cause the tealights to burn unexpectedly fast and with a higher flame height than normal, posing a fire hazard.
Find Out More	http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08209.html

Consumer Alert: Fire Hazard with Remote-Controlled Helicopters and Airplanes

Playing with remote-controlled helicopters and airplanes can be fun, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is concerned about an emerging fire hazard from the battery technology being used with these toys.

CPSC is urging consumers to follow manufacturer’s instructions when charging toys that contain rechargeable lithium batteries.  Rechargeable lithium batteries (lithium-ion or lithium polymer) are increasingly being used in toys because the technology is lighter. However, rechargeable lithium batteries have a lot of energy in a small package, so consumers should use caution when charging and handling them. These batteries are charged with a transmitter or a charging adapter.

Overcharging them can result in overheating, fire, and/or an explosion.  Since November 2007, CPSC has received 26 reports of remote-controlled helicopters igniting while being charged and one incident of a helicopter that ignited while flying. These reports involve minor burns and minor property damage.  “CPSC has received dozens of reports of incidents and injuries involving remote-controlled helicopters igniting,” said Nancy Nord, CPSC Acting Chairman. “We are urging consumers to follow simple safety tips to prevent future incidents and injuries.”  To promote the safe use of remote-controlled toys that contain rechargeable lithium batteries, CPSC recommends the following: 

• Do not leave the toy unattended while charging it.

• Battery charging should be done by adults.

• Charge the toy on a non-flammable surface and keep it away from flammable items.

• Turn the charger off when the toy’s battery is charged, and always unplug it from the toy.

• Disconnect AC wall chargers from outlets while not in use.

• If the toy has been damaged, immediately stop use, unplug, and safely move the toy away from flammable materials.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging the toy. Do NOT charge longer than recommended.

Hamilton Beach, Proctor-Silex Recall Fire-Prone Toasters

 

Nearly half a million Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex toasters are being recalled. The toasters can remain ‘on’ (energized) after popping up, and can ignite flammable items covering or in contact with the toaster, posing a fire hazard.

Hamilton Beach has received at least 63 reports of toasters that remained ‘on’ despite being in the ‘up’ position. There are no reports of injuries or fires.

The recalled Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex toasters are black, red, white, chrome or brushed chrome with 2-slice or 4-slice openings. Hamilton Beach or Proctor-Silex is printed on the side of the toasters. Only specific series codes of each model are included in this recall. The model number and series code are printed on the bottom of the toasters.

The toasters were sold at department stores, mass merchandisers, grocery stores, home center stores, and other stores retail stores nationwide, and various online retailers from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $13 and $40. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toasters and contact Hamilton Beach for instructions to receive a free replacement toaster.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hamilton Beach at (800) 574-6800 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hamiltonbeach.com for Hamilton Beach® toasters, and www.proctorsilex.com for Proctor-Silex® toasters.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).