DIY Life

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Robert Bosch Tool Corp., has announced a voluntary recall of about 9,700 Bosch Hammer Drills, model number 1191VSR, due to the fact that a risk of injury is posed to consumers if the hammer drill continues to operate after the trigger has been released.

Manufactured in Malaysia and sold at Menards and other hardware retailers and industrial distributors from July 2007 through April 2008 for about $100, the recalled hammer drill is blue and has "BOSCH" printed on its side. Only drills with a serial number that begins with a "7" are included in the recall. Please see the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled drill and contact Robert Bosch Tool Corp at (877) 472-0007, or visit www.boschtools.com to schedule a free repair.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Progress Lighting, has announced a voluntary recall of about 7,500 indoor ceiling light fixtures, due to a fall and injury hazard posed to consumers if the cable that supports the light fixture fails. Progress Lighting has receive five reports of the fixtures falling, including an incident where two consumers suffered bruises.

The International Series indoor light fixtures were manufactured in China and sold by electrical and lighting distributors and at The Home Depot stores from January 2005 through March 2008 for between $290 and $1,150. The fixtures were sold under the Progress Lighting and Thomasville Lighting brand names. Please see the CPSC press release for model numbers involved in the recall.

Consumers are advised to remove the glass from the recalled Thomasville or Progress Lighting ceiling lights and contact Progress Lighting at (877) 369-4548 or www.progresslighting.com to schedule a free inspection and replacement of the ceiling fixture.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Far East Brokers and Consultants Inc., has announced a voluntary recall of about 750 log swings, due to a fall hazard posed to consumers if a missing nail connecting the back of the log chair to the seat separates from the seat while in use. Far East Brokers has received six reports of the log chair separating, including three reports of minor injuries.

Manufactured in China and sold at Grand Union Family Markets, Ingle's Markets, VG's Food Center, Plumb's Valu-Rite Foods, and Central Shoprite stores from February 2008 through May 2008 for about $150, the recall involves a log swing that hangs from a log frame. The swing seats two people. Please see the CPSC press release for more details.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled log swing and return the disassembled parts to the store where purchased for a full refund. For more information, contact Far East Brokers and Consultants at (877) 695-8354 or visit the firm's website at www.fareastbrokers.com.

In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, QVC has issued a voluntary recall of about 82,000 Topsy-Turvy Deluxe Tomato Planters with Stand (item numbers M16702 and M17499), due to the fact that the legs on the bottom of the planter can detach when the planter is moved or becomes unbalanced, posing a hazard to bystanders if the planter collapses.

QVC has received 347 reports of the planters collapsing. 155 consumers have reported injuries, including lacerations, broken toes and bruises. The firm has also received reports of property damage caused by the planter collapsing on nearby items.

They were manufactured in China and sold through QVC's televised shopping programs, its web site, and in QVC's Studio, employee and retail stores from March 2008 through April 2008 for about $30. The Topsy-Turvy planter is an upright planter used for growing tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers. Please see the CPSC press release for more information on the recall.

Consumers are advised to take down the planter by having two adults tip it over on its side and return the planter to any QVC store for a full refund, if the consumer originally purchased the planter at a QVC store. Consumers who purchased the planter through QVC.com or a televised program were mailed instructions on obtaining a refund. Consumer who have not received instructions should contact QVC at (800) 367-9444 or visit the website at www.qvc.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.

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.

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.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Paslode, has announced a voluntary recall of about 86,000 "Tall Red" Fuel Cells. The fuel cells, used to power cordless framing nailers, can leak fuel, posing a fire hazard.

Manufactured in the United States, and sold from February 2008 through April 2008 by construction supply and home center stores and dealers for between $11 and $14, the "Tall Red" fuel cells are for use in Paslode cordless framing nailers. Please see the CPSC press release for date and manufacture codes.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the fuel cells, and to return them to the place of purchase for credit or a full refund. For more information, contact Paslode at (800) 222-6990, visit their website at www.paslode.com (PDF), or email the firm at productsupport@paslode.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Maple Chase Company, has issued a voluntary recall of about 280,000 FireX branded 10000 series carbon monoxide alarms and 12000 series CO/ smoke combo alarms.

Prior to going into full alarm sound, the recalled alarms can sound a "double chirp"/fault alarm when CO is present. The owners manual instructs consumers to take the alarm out of service when they hear the double chirp. Consumers could then be exposed to hazardous level of CO and suffer injury or death.

The recalled alarms were manufactured in Mexico and sold by commercial electrical distributors and electrical contractors and builders for installation into new home construction, and by Menards from June 2007 through February 2008 for about $20 for the 10000 series alarm and $30 for the 12000 series alarm. Please see the CPSC press release for more information.

Consumers are advised not to take the alarms out of service until they receive a replacement alarm. To make arrangements to return the recalled alarm and to receive a free comparable replacement alarm, contact Maple Chase at (888) 879-3906, or visit their website at www.firexsafety.com.