DIY Life

I've witnessed many dog fights over the years. I've noticed that in a crowd situation such as a dog park, the response of the human observers is pretty predictable. Some stand and stare. Some scream at the dogs to stop... and the dogs ignore them completely. (Well, what did you expect?!) Then there are those -- usually the hapless owners -- who try to haul the dogs apart by the collars.

In fact, the worst thing you can do in a dog fight situation is to grab the dogs by the collars. You risk getting bitten really badly. Here's what you should do to stop a dog fight.

1. Get a volunteer to help you. Be warned: the other owner may not be the best choice. You will know that is the case if he/she stands there looking helpless. I had this happen to me once when a gianormous German Shepherd attacked my dog. It was very frightening. (Luckily I was armed with a baseball bat, so I was able to rescue my boy. Phew.)

QVC, in cooperation with the U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued a voluntary recall of about 28,000 SoleusAir Space Heaters. The space heaters can overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers. QVC has received nine reports of flames inside or coming out of the heaters, along with 70 additional reports of smoking, overheating, sparking, melting, and/or burning odors coming from the space heater.

Manufactured in China and sold through QVC's televised shopping programs, website, and in QVC's Studio, employee and retail stores from December 2007 through March 2008 for between $65 and $80, the recalled black and charcoal colored 1,500 watt heater is canister shaped and has three heat settings. Please see the CPSC press release for more information on the recalled space heater.

Consumers are advised to stop using the space heater and unplug it. Those who purchased the heater through a QVC television program or QVC.com have been mailed instructions on how to receive a refund. Consumers who purchased the heater at a QVC store should return the heater to any QVC store to receive a full refund. Consumers who have not received an information packet should contact QVC at (800) 367-9444 or visit their website at www.qvc.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., has issued a voluntary recall of about 13,000 DEWALT DW744 Jobsite Table Saws. The pivot bracket on the saw can seperate, causing the blade and the fence to misalign, causing kick back. Although no injuries have been reported, DEWALT has received one report of the table saw's blade misaligning.

Manufactured in Mexico and sold at major home centers and hardware stores from April 2007 through January 2008 for about $500, this recall involves DEWALT 10 inch yellow and black jobsite table saws, model number DW744. Please check the CPSC press release for more information on the table saws.

Consumers should stop using the recalled table saw and contact DEWALT at (888) 742-9178 to find out the location of a service center to obtain a free replacement table saw. For more information, visit the firm's website at www.dewalt.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Rio Brands, has issued a voluntary recall of about 800 Rio Beach High-Boy Folding Beach Chairs. The rear leg of the chair can break, posing a fall hazard to consumers. Rio Brands has received one report of an incident involving minor bruises.

Manufactured in China and sold at retail stores from January 2008 through March 2008 for between $40 and $50, the recalled chairs have aluminum tubing frames, striped or solid color fabric slings, and wood arms with an attached storage pouch with a cell phone pocket. Please check the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and return them to purchasing location to receive a full refund. For more information, contact Rio Brands at (800) 866-8520 or visit their website at www.riobrands.com.

In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, LivingXL has announced a voluntary recall of about 400 Multi Texteline Hammocks and Striped Quilted Hammocks. The hammock features a metal frame that can crack and break, causing a consumer to fall to the ground. LivingXL has received 3 reports of injuries caused by the hammock collapsing after the frame broke or cracked.

Manufactured in India and sold by LivingXL's catalog or at www.LivingXL.com from May 2007 through October 2007 for between $170 and $200, the recalled hammocks have a 5 piece beige steel frame and a cloth hammock. Please check the CPSC press release for model numbers involved in the recall.

Stop using the hammock immediately and contact LivingXL at (800) 535-7639 for instructions on returning the hammock to receive a full refund, or visit their website at www.LivingXL.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Waxcessories Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about 830,000 electric simmer pots. The simmer pots have a wire connection that can come loose, creating a fire risk and electric shock risk to consumers. Although no injuries have been reported, there have been 161 reports of discolored cords, loose wires, and wires coming loose from the simmer pot.

Manufactured in China and sold by gift and novelty shops from April 2002 through April 2008 for between $17 and $25, the electric simmer pots were designed to melt scented wax in a ceramic cup, which sits on a ceramic base containing a 40 watt bulb, socket and electric cord. All designs and all item numbers of electric simmer pots are involved in the recall. For more information, please see the CPSC press release.

Consumers should stop using the recalled simmer pots immediately. To receive a free replacement product, consumers may contact Waxcessories at (800) 899-5884 or visit the recall website at www.simmerpotrecall.com.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Kyodo America Industries Co. LTD has issued a voluntary recall of about 530 LawnBott lawn mowers. The lawn mowers pose a laceration hazard to consumers if the mower is lifted from the ground while the cutting blades are still rotating. Kyodo America has received one report of a consumer receiving minor lacerations when the lawn mower was lifted from the ground.

Manufactured in Italy and sold by Kyodo America dealers from January 2006 through December 2007 for between $1,750 and $2,750, this recall is for robotic lawn mowers with "Evolution" or Deluxe" printed on the side of the red, green or blue mower. Please check the CPSC press release for more information on the recalled lawn mowers.

Kyodo America has directly contacted consumers who have registered their mower. Consumers who have not registered their lawn mower can contact Kyodo at (877) 465-9636 to schedule a free repair. For more information, visit their website at www.lawnbott.com.

One of the worst kinds of home break-ins is the kind where the bad guy just kicks in the front or back door. It doesn't really matter that your deadbolt is engaged; it only extends a couple of inches at most and the door jamb doesn't take much to splinter.

But with a little effort you can greatly enhance the holding power of the deadbolt. When the wall is framed and the door rough opening is made, the opening is actually an inch or two wider than the door jamb requires. This allows for plumbing the jamb. Wooden shims are inserted between the framing studs and the jambs.

So this is what you do -

1. Remove the trim screwed to the jamb that receives the deadbolt.
2. Cut a piece of rigid metal electrical conduit about six inches long.
3. Use a paddle bit the same size as the O.D. of the conduit and drill through the jamb and framing studs.
4. Squirt a bit of glue inside the hole.
5. Insert the conduit into the hole until it's flush and re-install the trim.
   

Now, it's not just the jamb holding the deadbolt, you've got the strength of the stud working for you!

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, HSN LP has conducted a voluntary recall of about 17,000 power strips for Charge-It-All Valets. The power strip, located inside the valet, has undersized wires, posing a fire and shock hazard to consumers.

Manufactured in China and sold exclusively by HSN LP from October 2007 through January 2008, this recall is for the medium and large Joy Mangano Charge-It-All Valets, which are boxes with divided compartments that come with a power strip, allowing consumers to recharge and organize such items as cell phones and other electronic devices. Please check the CPSC press release for more information on the recalled power strips.

HSN LP is directly contacting consumers who own the recalled valets and will provide a replacement power strip and an in-store refund, and also pay for shipping charges for consumers to return the product. For more information, contact HSN at (888) 540-7052 or visit their website at www.hsn.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Michaels Stores, Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of about 310,000 seasonal writing pens. The surface coating on each of the Flower Writers, Christmas Writers, Easter Writers, and Spooky Writers pens, contain high levels of lead which violates the federal lead paint standard.

Manufactured in China and sold exclusively at Michaels retail stores from August 2007 through March 2008 for about $1, the recalled pens were sold individually as part of a series of four pens. Each pen has decorative ornamentation. Please check the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pens and return them to any Michaels store for a full refund. For more information on the product recall, contact (800) 642-4235 / (800) MICHAELS, or visit their website; www.michaels.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with A.O. Smith Water Products Co,. has issued a voluntary recall of about 1,500 natural and propane gas water heaters. The water heater's exhaust can leak into the surrounding room, posing a carbon monoxide hazard. A fire hazard is posed when excessive temperatures are reached in the venting unit, caused by the water heater's flue, exceeding safe gas temperature limits.

These were manufactured in the United States and sold by independent contractors and plumbers, from November 2007 through January 2008. Sale prices were between $1,000 and $2,500. This recall involves 75 gallon natural and propane gas water heaters featuring "A.O. Smith" or "State" printed on the side of the unit. Please check the CPSC press release for more information on the recalled water heaters.

Consumers can contact A.O. Smith at (866) 880- 4661 to arrange for a free repair of the recalled water heater, or visit A.O. Smith's website at www.hotwater.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of about 61,000 Holiday Time candle holders, due to a fire hazard and a laceration hazard. The candle holders could tip over and the glass holder could break.

Manufactured in China and sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from September 2007 through February 2008 for between $13 and $17, this recall involves Holiday Times candle holders that are shaped like a Santa Claus, a snowman and a goblet. Please check the CPSC press release for more information on the recalled candle holders.

Consumer should stop using the recalled candle holders immediately and return them to Wal-Mart for a full refund. For more information, contact Wal-Mart at (800) 925-6278 or visit their website at www.walmartstores.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Goodman Manufacturing Co L.P., has announced a voluntary recall of about 1,000 Package gas-electric heating and cooling units. The serial plates on the units contain inaccurate information which could result in consumers using undersized installation wiring, posing a fire hazard.

The recalled single package gas-electric heating and cooling units were manufactured in the United States and sold by heating and cooling equipment dealers nationwide from December 2007 through February 2008. Please check the CPSC press release for model and serial numbers involved in the recall.

Goodman is directly contacting consumers who have purchased the units to arrange free replacement of the serial plates and a free inspection of the installation wiring. Consumers may contact Goodman at (800) 394-8084 or visit their website at www.goodmanmfg.com.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Cabot Stains has issued a voluntary recall of about 24,000 containers of Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner.

An ingredient in the deck cleaner can react with metal foil residue on the package that may melt the package and emit chlorine gas, creating a fire and inhalation hazard to consumers. Although no injuries have been reported, Cabot Stains has received one report of the container partially melting and emitting a chlorine odor.

Manufactured in the United States and sold at home improvement centers and hardware stores from February 2007 through February 2008 for about $20, this recall involves Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner # 3502, a granular concentrate sold in a 2 pound plastic container. Check the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers should stop using the Deck Cleaner immediately and return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. If the container feels hot when touched or looks deformed, Cabot should be called at (877) 755-3336 immediately to arrange for the safe handling of the product, or visit their website at www.cabotstain.com.

One of the worst fates to befall family and home is a raging fire. The result can be a small as a nuisance clean-up job to the worst of all - the death of one or more family members. Having fire extinguishers close at hand can make the difference. But not all extinguishers are the same. Let's have a look...

• Type A: for use on paper, plastics, and wood.
• Type B: for use on gasoline, paint thinner, or other flammable liquid.
• Type C: for use on electrical fires.
• Type D: for use on flammable metals.
• Multi-class types: These are a combination of two or more of the above types. Often, these are the most handy to have around the home.

The key to using an extinguisher effectively is summed up as PASS.

• Pull the pin.
• Aim the nozzle.
• Squeeze the handle.
• Sweep the spray at the base of the fire.
  

Be sure all members of the family know how to do this. As cheap as fire extinguishers are, it wouldn't hurt to buy a few and practice so the reaction in an emergency will not be confusion and panic.