DIY Life

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Miele Inc. has issued a voluntary safety recall of about 3,100 residential super large gas dryers, model T 9820, due to a gas leak risk and a fire hazard.

If the dryer is not installed properly, the internal gas fitting can loosen, posing a risk of gas leaking into the home. If the gas leak is not detected, asphyxiation, an explosion or a fire can occur. If one or both of the caps on the internal exhaust duct becomes dislodged, lint can build up and be carried through the gas burner, posing a fire risk. Although no injuries have been reported, Miele has received a report of a fire and 11 reports of consumers smelling gas after their dryers were installed.

The residential super large capacity white dryers were manufactured in the Czech Republic and sold by Miele distributors between March 2007 and December 2007 for about $1,300. Please see the CPSC press release for the serial number and more information about the recalled dryer.

Consumers are advised to stop using the dryer and turn off the gas supply to the unit. The firm has sent direct notices to consumers. Consumers who have not had their dryer inspected should contact a Miele authorized service provider for a free inspection and repair. Miele can be contacted at (800) 420-1813 or www.miele.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with The Home Depot, has announced a voluntary recall of about 14,000 candle holders, due to a fire hazard. Sunlight that passes through the glass portion of the candle holder can cause nearby flammable items to ignite. The Home Depot has received one report of a fire.

Manufactured in China and sold at The Home Depot stores in the southern and western regions of the U.S. from January 2008 through March 2008 for about $10, the sun shaped candle holder is glass and metal, and was sold in four colors: red, green, blue, and yellow. Please see the CPSC press release for more information on the recalled candle holders.

Consumers are advised to stop using the candle holder and return it to The Home Depot for a full refund. For more information, contact the firm at (866) 403-5504 or visit their website at www.homedepot.com.

Back to Basics Products in conjunction with the Consumer Products Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 10,000 home ice tea brewers stating that the units pose a risk of fire, however no incidents have yet been reported.

The units which were manufactured in China, were sold through Bon Ton department stores, the JC Penney catalog and also through hardware stores and Internet retailers. The company states that the problematic tea makers were sold April 2007 through July 2007 and carry the model number # IT400.

Back to Basics is asking that all affected ice tea makers be returned for exchange or refund. You may contact the manufacturer at www.backtobasicsproducts.com or e-mail the firm at IT400recall@btbproducts.com .

The Robert Bosch Tool Corp and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced the recall of 811,000 Skil circular saws.

These saws have a faulty trigger switch that can get locked in the on position or be turned on with out the use of the safety lock. This can cause the saw to operate unexpectedly and without the user's knowledge. This can pose a serious injury risk and laceration hazard.

The recalled saws include the model numbers 5650, 5700, 5750 and 5755 and date codes 28101 - 29231, 38101 - 3923, 48101 - 4923, 58101 - 5923, 68101 - 6923. No other model or date codes are effected. The saws were sold at various home repair and hardware stores from January 2002 through December 2006 for between $70 and $80.

For more information and pictures of the recalled products please see the CPSC press release or Skil's recall page.

If you have one of the recalled products please contact the Robert Bosch Tool Corp at 866-761-5572 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for information on receiving a free repair for your saw.

Vance Kitira and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced a recall of their Cinnamon Spice candles due to a fire hazard. I know what you are thinking, all candles pose a fire hazard, why are these candles so different? The candles have cinnamon sticks in them and tied to an extra long wick that can catch on fire.

There are no instructions with the candles to trim the wick either which could lead to them being lit with a far to long wick. Also causing an extra fire hazard.

The candles were sold from May 2006 to June 2007. You can contact Vance Kitira at (800) 646-6360 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to seek a remedy.

After receiving over 700 reports of incidents, nearly 60 of which involved injuries, Black & Decker in conjunction with The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has voluntarily recalled approximately 202,000 hand held trimmers / edgers which have been shown to pose a safety threat to consumers. The units, identified as Black & Decker GH1000 Grasshog XP String Trimmer/Edgers, apparently have a spool assembly which can disassemble during operation. The detached parts and pieces of trimmer string can then become high speed projectiles which have the potential of injuring the operator or bystanders. These trimmers have also shown a tendency to overheat to hazardous levels.

Anyone owning one of the described units is advised to discontinue use of the appliance and is requested to contact Black & Decker for a free repair kit. For additional information, contact Black & Decker at (888) 742-9158 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.blackanddecker.com . You may view the formal recall notice and view illustrations of the trimmer unit with this link to the Consumer Product Safety Commission press release.

The Meyer Corporation along with the CSPC announced a recall of butane cooking torches on July 11th. The torches can leak butane causing a fire hazard. The torches included in the recall are BonJour Professional Culinary Torches.

The torches were sold alone and as part BonJour Bain Marie Sets. There have been four reports of fuel leaks but no reports of injury or damage. They were sold at several stores from October 2006 to May 2007.

If you have one of the effected torches stop using it and you can contact the Meyer Corporation at (800) 226-6568 for a refund. For a full description and pictures of the recalled products pleaCSPC's the CSPC's press release.