Current Safety Concerns

Holiday Safety

"This is easily the busiest time of year, but it's important to make time for safety while celebrating the holidays," said John Drengenberg, director of consumer safety at UL. "By committing a few minutes each day to safety, many accidents can be avoided and your holidays will be memorable for all the right reasons."

CPSC and UL suggest using the following 12 safety tips to help keep your holiday home safe this year:

Trees and Decorations

Buying live trees, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from branches, and its needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin and, when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

Setting up a tree at home, place it away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators. Because heated rooms rapidly dry out live trees, be sure to monitor water levels daily and keep the tree stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways with the tree.
Buying an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean that the tree will not catch fire, it does indicate that the tree is more resistant to catching fire.

Decorating a tree in homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

Candles

Keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room, or leave the house.
Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface where kids and pets cannot reach them or knock them over. Lighted candles should be placed away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

Lights

Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. Lights for both indoor and outdoor usage must meet strict requirements that testing laboratories are able to verify. On most decorative lights available in stores, UL's red holographic label signifies that the product meets safety requirements for indoor and outdoor usage. UL's holographic label, with the green UL Mark, signifies it meets requirements for only indoor usage.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets and do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.

Check each extension cord to make sure it is rated for the intended use.

Check outdoor lights for labels showing that the lights have been certified for outdoor use, and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.

Fireplaces

Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if swallowed. Keep them away from children.
Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

From the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
www.cpsc.gov

Name of Product: Handheld Massage Pets

Recall Date: December 13, 2011

Manufacturer: Dongguan City Liwang Battery Co., Ltd. (battery), and Dongguan City Qingxi Shangpin Electrical Working Shop (massager), of China

Hazard: The massager's batteries can leak, posing a burn hazard or skin irritation to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received reports from five stores of the batteries in massagers leaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves ladybug and bee-shaped "Massage Pet" handheld massagers. The ladybugs are red and black and the bees are yellow and black. The massagers measure 3 1/2 inches tall and 5 inches wide and were sold with two Kendal brand AA batteries. "Massage Pets" and "Dating code 1210A" are printed on the massager's hangtag along with UPC 0 49696 60453 6 for the ladybug and UPC 0 49696 60454 3 for the bee.

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Name of Product: Gas powered STIHL trimmers, brushcutters, KombiMotors, hedge trimmers, edgers, clearing saws, pole pruners, and backpack blowers that utilize a toolless fuel cap

Recall Date: May 25, 2011

Manufacturer: STIHL Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va.

Hazard: The level of ethanol and other fuel additives can distort the toolless fuel cap, allowing fuel to spill, posing a fire and burn hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: STIHL has received 81 reports of difficulty installing and/or removing the fuel caps and fuel spillage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The following yard power tools with various model numbers are included in this recall:

Blower, backpack - Model #'s:
BR 500
BR 550
BR 600
BR 600 Magnum

Hedge Trimmer, extended reach - Model #'s:
HL 90
HL 100
HL 110 K

Pole Pruner - Model #'s:
HT 56 C-E
HT 100
HT 101
HT 130
HT 131

Edger - Model #'s:
FC 56 C-E
FC 70 C-E
FC 90
FC 95
FC 100
FC 110

Trimmer/Brushcutter - Model #'s:
FS 40 C-E
FS 56 C-E
FS 56 RC-E
FS 70 RC-E
FS 90
FS 90 R
FS 100 RX
FS 110
FS 110 R
FS 110 RX
FS 130
FS 130 R

Clearing Saw - Model #'s:
FS 310

KombiEngine - Model #'s:
KM 56 RC-E
KM 90 R
KM 110 R
KM 130 R

Sold at: Authorized STIHL dealers nationwide from July 2002 through May 2011 for between $190 and $650.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these products and return them to an authorized STIHL dealer for a free repair. Consumers can contact STIHL for instructions on identifying these toolless fuel caps.

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Name of Product: Lasko Box Fans

Recall Date: March 24, 2011

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

Hazard: An electrical failure in the fan's motor poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lasko has received seven reports of fires associated with motor failures, including two house fires and one barn fire, resulting in extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Lasko box fans with model numbers 3720, 3723, and 3733 and Galaxy box fans with model number 4733 that have date "2002-03" or "2003-04" stamped on the bottom of the metal frame. "Lasko" or "Galaxy" is printed on the front of the fan. The model number is either stamped or printed on the bottom of the fans.

Sold at: Mass merchandisers nationwide from July 2002 through December 2005 for between $12 and $25.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fans and contact Lasko to receive a free fused plug safety adapter.

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Name of Product: Gerber® Gator® Combo Axe

Recall Date: March 23, 2011

Importer: Gerber Legendary Blades, of Portland, Ore., a division of Fiskars Brands Inc., of Madison, Wis.

Hazard: The knife in the axe handle can come out when the axe is used for chopping or hammering, posing a laceration hazard to the user.

Incidents/Injuries: Gerber has received five reports of laceration injuries. All required stitches.

Description: This recall involves the Gerber Gator Combo Axe, which has a 7-inch knife in the hollow axe handle. The axe is approximately 8.75 inches long with an axe head that is 4.75 inches x 2.7 inches. The axe handle is marked with the "Gerber" trademark. The Gerber Combo Axe II, which holds a saw in a longer axe handle, is not included in this recall.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide, including The Sportsman's Guide, Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops/American Rod & Gun and online since March 2005 for around $28 - $60.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the knife from the axe handle and contact Gerber to receive a free handle cap, which will hold the knife in the axe handle during transport and storage, instructions for the use of the handle cap, and a warning label to affix on the axe head.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Gerber Legendary Blades toll-free at (877) 314-9130 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website

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Name of Product: Frontgate Closet Ladders

Recall Date: January 20, 2011

Retailer: Cinmar LLC dba Frontgate of West Chester, Ohio

Hazard: The ladders can unexpectedly break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Cinmar has received about 860 reports of the ladders breaking, including 28 reports of injuries such as bruises and lacerations to the knees, shins, ankles and feet.

Description: This recall involves Frontgate foldaway closet two- and three-step ladders. The ladders are made of mahogany wood and designed for use in walk-in closets. Catalog item numbers included in the recall are 11998 for the two-step and 11675, 11975, 30269, 37935 and 40645 for the three-step ladder.

Sold at: Frontgate stores in Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio, in Frontgate and Sky Mall catalogs nationwide and on the Internet at Frontgate.com and Skymall.com from December 2005 through July 2010 for about between $90 and $150.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ladders and contact Frontgate for instructions on how to receive a merchandise credit for the amount of the ladder. Frontgate is directly contacting all known consumers.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Frontgate at (888) 298-4651 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's recall website

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Name of Product: Poulan Pro Generators

Recall Date: January 20, 2011

Manufacturer: Husqvarna Professional Products Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.

Hazard: The carburetor can fail allowing gasoline to leak, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received four reports of fuel leakage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves gas-powered Poulan Pro Generators designed for residential use. Models included in the recall are: PP4300, PP6600, PP6600E and PP7600E, all serial numbers. The generator's model number can be found on the front of the fuel tank on the Serial Number Plate. The generators are black and marigold color, measure 21.5" H x 26.6" L x 21.3" range from 4.4 to 7.6 KW with two handles and two wheels.

Sold by: Poulan Pro and Husqvarna authorized dealers nationwide from July 2010 through September 2010 for between $600 and $1,000.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled generators and contact Husqvarna to arrange a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For more information or to schedule a free repair, contact Husqvarna toll-free at (877) 257-6921 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit the firm's website.

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Name of Product: NESCO American Harvest Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator

Recall Date: January 20, 2011

Manufacturer: The Metal Ware Corporation, of Two Rivers, Wisc.

Hazard: A defective capacitor in the electronic control module can overheat, posing a smoke and fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: NESCO received three reports of overheating resulting in smoke or fire. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled product includes a base with stackable trays to place food. The top of the unit houses the electronic control module. Model number FD-1020 and production date codes: 09E 0610; 09E 0624; and 09E 0903 are molded into the underside of the dehydrator's electronic control module.

Sold at: National mass merchandisers and retailers and online at www.nesco.com and other websites from July 2009 to January 2011 for about $140.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and contact NESCO for instructions on how to receive a free electronic control module.

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Product: White-Rodgers Programmable Thermostats

Recall Date: January 12, 2011

Manufacturer: White-Rodgers of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: The programmable thermostats constantly charge the backup AA batteries used to power the thermostat’s clock. This can cause the batteries to leak, resulting in a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm is aware of three incidents involving minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves all White-Rodgers programmable thermostats with model numbers 1F88-XXX and 1F85RF-275 and date codes beginning with 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 and 1001 through 1039. The model number is printed on the thermostat’s front pull-down panel door. The date code is located inside the removable front cover. White-Rodgers and/or the utility company’s name and logo are printed on the front of the thermostat. These thermostats were able to be controlled by power companies in homes that took part in energy demand reduction programs.

Distributed by: More than 40 utility companies to consumers nationwide who took part in energy conservation programs and by various HVAC wholesalers for about $150.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the two AA batteries from the thermostat and contact White-Rodgers for a free repair kit. If battery removal causes changes in furnace operation, contact White-Rodgers.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact White-Rodgers toll-free at (888) 624-1901 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website

Note: Health Canada's press release is available by clicking here

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