DIY Life

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Crate and Barrel, has announced a voluntary recall of about 5,100 "Remy" shag rugs. A fire and burn hazard is posed to consumers because the large "Remy" rugs fail to meet federal standards for flammability and could ignite. The small shag rugs fail to meet federal labeling requirements.

Manufactured in India and sold at Crate and Barrel online retailer, catalog and retail stores from January 2007 through April 2008 for between $50 and $300, this recall is for "Remy" cotton jersey shag rugs sold in red and in white. Please see the CPSC press release for a list of rug sizes involved in the recall.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled shag rugs. Consumers with large rugs should contact Crate and Barrel to obtain a full refund and arrange pick up of their rugs. Consumers with small rugs should contact Crate and Barrel to obtain a refund or a new label including warning information. Crate and Barrel can be contacted at (800) 451-8217 or www.crateandbarrel.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Provo Craft & Novelty Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of about 730,000 Candlesense Warmers, due to a fire hazard posed to consumers.

If the internal heating element of the candle warmer becomes detached, the bottom of the plastic casing could melt, igniting or scorching the surface on which the candle warmer has been placed. Provo Craft has received 11 reports of heating elements detaching, including two fires and nine incidents of property scorching, and one report of a consumer with a blistered finger.

Manufactured in China and sold at Wal-Mart and other retailers (I purchased mine at Pamida) from August 2006 through October 2007 for between $5 and $10, this recall involves Candlesense warmers with product codes ranging from YD0629 through YD0652 and YD0701 through YD0708. Please see the CPSC press release for a product description of the recalled candle warmer.

Consumers are advised to contact Provo Craft at (888) 306-0132, or www.provocraft.com to receive a free voucher worth 120 percent of the purchase price of the candle warmer. The voucher can be redeemed at www.creativexpress.com.

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.

In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Hearth & Home Technologies Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of about 22,000 WSK-300 IntelliSwitch Fireplace Wall Controls. The wall controls were manufactured by Nortech Systems Inc. and sold with Heat & Glo gas direct vent fireplaces.

The wall control system can fail and the fireplace could turn on by itself, causing property damage. If the control system fails there could be a fire hazard if the consumer has left combustible objects in front of the unattended fireplace. Hearth & Home has received 13 reports of a fireplace turning itself on and continuing to operate. Although no fires or injuries have been reported, the firm has received two reports of minor property damage.

Sold by fireplace stores and distributors from January 2007 through February 2008 for between $2,800 and $3,500, the fireplaces were manufactured in the United States. Individual wall control systems were sold by fireplace stores, distributors, and installers from January 2007 through February 2008 for about $180. Please see the CPSC press release for model numbers involved in the recall.

Consumers are advised to disable the fireplace until a repair is performed. Retailers are contacting consumers directly with information on how to disable the fireplace. Hearth & Home will send consumers a free replacement wall control panel. Consumers not contacted by their retailer should contact Hearth & Home at (800) 215-5152 or visit their website at www.heatnglo.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Specialty Lamp International, Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of approximately 371,000 counterfeit "Square D" circuit breakers, due to a fire hazard. The circuit breakers can fail to trip when they are overloaded, and have been determined by Square D to be counterfeit.

The counterfeit black circuit breakers were manufactured in China and sold by electrical product distributors from May 2005 through June 2006 for between $3 and $23. Please see the CPSC press release for model numbers involved in the recall.

To determine if a breaker they have is a counterfeit, consumers are advised to contact Specialty at (866) 650-3076 to arrange for a free inspection and a replacement or refund, if necessary, or by email bart@specialty-lamp.com, or visit their website at www.ebulb.net.

To be on the super safe side, check out Gary's post on counterfeit circuit breakers recalled from Connecticut Electric, and my previous post on counterfeit circuit breakers recalled from North American Breaker Co.

In an expansion of a recall issued in February 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with M & A Global Technologies Inc, d.b.a. Spa at Home, has issued a second voluntary recall of gel candles, due to a fire and burn hazard posed to consumers if the candles have an excessive flame height.

The company has received four additional reports of abnormally high flames, and flames coming in contact with nearby combustibles, resulting in minor fires, smoke and soot damage. M & A Global Technologies has also received one report of burns to a consumer's hand.

Manufactured in the United States and sold at Spa at Home stores and at Spaathome.com from October 2003 through December 2003 and October 2005 through December 2005 for between $9 and $50, this recall is for Everlasting Jelly candles, sold in various sized clear glass containers with a smaller glass of gel in the center of the candle. Please see the CPSC press release for models of the recalled gel candles.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled candles and contact M & A Global Technologies at (866) 244-8811, or visit their website at www.spaathome.com for instructions on returning the candles.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Char-Broil LLC, has issued a voluntary recall of about 400 Char-Broil two-burner gas grills, model 463720108, due to fire and burn hazards. The main burner on the recalled grills does not fit correctly or connect properly to the gas valve, which could result in a propane leak.

Manufactured by Shenzhen Jinwoniu Trading Company LTD of China, the recalled two-burner gas grills were sold exclusively at Mills Fleet Farm stores in Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin from February 2008 through April 2008 for about $120. Please see the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the grill. To receive a free replacement burner and instructions on installing the burner, contact Char-Broil at (866) 671-7988 or visit their website at www.charbroil.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with American Flame Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about 12,000 fireplace gas valves, due to a fire and explosion hazard. After the switch has been turned off, gas can continue to flow into the fireplace pilot light area. American Flames has received two reports of valve failure and continuous gas flow.

Manufactured in Taiwan and sold by fireplace retailers and distributors from September 2006 through July 2007, the fireplaces cost between $500 and $2,000, with additional installation costs. The fireplace gas valves were installed in residential fireplaces by 12 different manufacturers and were installed in some, but not all fireplaces. Please check the CPSC press release for brand names.

Consumers are advised to stop using the fireplaces and contact their dealer for a free repair. A qualified service technician will determine if gas leaks from the fireplace valve when it is in the off position, and will replace the valve.

For more information, contact American Flame at (888) 672-8929 to arrange for a free repair if your fireplace is included in the valve recall, or visit their website at www.skytechsystem.com.

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Frigidaire Canada, a sister company of Electrolux Home Products Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about 7,500 Kenmore wall ovens.

Gas can build in the oven cavity during extended broiling, posing a burn and fire hazard to consumers when the door is opened and gas escapes. Electrolux has received 16 reports of incidents involving gas build-up, flames escaping from the oven door, singed hair, and burns to the hands and face.

Manufactured in Canada and sold at Sears, Sears Hardware, Sears.com, and Kmart from September 2004 through October 2007 for between $760 and $1,150, this recall is for Kenmore 24-inch wide gas and propane self cleaning wall mounted ovens, sold in white, bisque and stainless steel. Please see the CPSC press release for model and serial numbers involved in the recall.

Consumers are advised to stop using the "broil" feature on the ovens and contact Sears at (800) 479-6408 to schedule a free repair, or visit their website at www.sears.com.

In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fingerhut Direct Marketing has issued a voluntary recall of about 1,900 Master Craft pressure washers. The motor on the pressure washer can overheat, posing a fire hazard. Although no injuries have been reported, Fingerhut has received four reports of smoke coming from the unit, and one report of fire.

Manufactured in China and sold exclusively through Fingerhut catalogs and Fingerhut.com from July 2007 through March 2008 for about $100, this recall involves Master Craft pressure washers with a yellow housing and the Master Craft name printed on the side of the unit. Please see the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers are advised to stop using the pressure washer, unplug it and return the product to Fingerhut for a refund or replacement product. Fingerhut is directly contacting owners of the pressure washer and providing a pre-paid shipping label for the consumer to return the recalled product.

For more information, contact Fingerhut Direct Marketing at (866) 931-5417 or visit their website at www.fingerhut.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Onward Manufacturing Co., has issued a voluntary recall of about 4,800 Broil King gas grills. A fire and burn hazard is posed to consumers if the bottom of the cook box containing the burners melts or cracks as the direct result of a grease fire. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Manufactured in Canada and sold at independent retailers from February 2006 through April 2008 for between $450 and $700, this recall includes the Signet, Sovereign and Sovereign XL series gas grills. The Signet and Sovereign series grills each have 3 burners and drop down shelves with side and rear burners. The Sovereign XL series has 4 burners and drop down shelves. Please check the CPSC press release for more information on the recalled gas grills.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the grill and contact Onward Manufacturing at (866) 434-7455 for a free repair kit, or visit their website at www.broilkingbbq.com.

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 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.

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.