From
CPSC Actions in the News
May 1, 2008
In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the following manufacturers have issued voluntary recalls for certain consumer electrical and electronic products. Here are the details:
Gas Dryers: The Consumer and Industrial division of General Electric has recalled about 2100 gas clothes dryers. The company says that a short circuit in the dryer’s wiring poses a shock hazard to consumers with ungrounded dryers. GE has not received any reports of incidents or injuries related to the recalled dryers, but has initiated the recall to prevent future incidents and injuries. The recalled dryers were sold through retail stores and authorized builder distributors nationwide from September 2006 through October 2007 for about $440.
Remote Controlled Helicopter Toys: Soft Air USA, Inc. of Grapevine, TX is recalling about 30,000 remote-controlled helicopter toys manufactured in China. Soft Air says that the rechargeable battery contained inside the helicopter can catch fire during charging, igniting the helicopter and nearby combustible materials, posing a fire or burn hazard to consumers. The company has received six reports of helicopters igniting, including one report of a minor injury. The recalled helicopter toys were sold in sporting goods stores and other retailers nationwide from May through December 2007 for about $30.
Battery-Powered Toy Cars: Dumar International USA of Franklin, MA has announced the recall of about 64,000 Cinderella 12-Volt electric ride-on vehicles manufactured in China. According to the company, wires under the hood of the car and/or in the battery compartment under the seat can short circuit, posing a fire and burn hazard to children riding in the car. Dumar says it is aware of 40 separate incidents of the toy car’s wires overheating, but no reports of injuries. The recalled toy cars were sold through Wal-Mart stores nationwide from August 2005 through February 2006 for about $200.
Portable Electric Heaters: Aloha Housewares Inc. of Arlington, TX has recalled about 152,000 portable electric heaters manufactured in China. The company says that the recalled electric heaters can overheat and melt plastic parts, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Aloha has received 29 reports of the heaters melting, smoking or catching fire, including 18 reports of property damage, and one report of consumer suffering minor burns. The recalled electric heaters were sold in Wal-Mart and small retail chain stores nationwide from August 2006 through November 2007 for between $35 and $45.
Indirect Gas-Fired Furnaces: Finally, Greenheck Fan Corporation of Schofield, WI is recalling about 1500 of its indirect gas-fired furnaces. Greenheck says that ignition control module of the recalled furnaces can fail, preventing the unit from shutting down in high temperature conditions, posing a risk of fire and hazardous fumes. The company has not received any reports of incidents or injuries related to the furnaces, but has initiated the recall to prevent future incidents and injuries. The recalled furnaces were sold by Greenheck sales representatives to mechanical contractors nationwide from November 2006 through October 2007 for between $2000 and $100,000.
Our readers can learn more about these and other product recalls through the CPSC web site at www.cpsc.gov.
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