PRESSURE-ASSISTED FLUSHING SYSTEM About 2,330,600 (U.S.) and 9,400 (Canada) Flushmate III Pressure-Assist Flushing Systems sold at The Home Depot and Lowe's stores, distributors, and plumbing contractors nationwide for about $108, and sold to toilet manufacturers including American Standard, Crane, Eljer, Gerber, Kohler, Mansfield, and St. Thomas. The system can burst at or near the vessel weld seam releasing stored pressure. This pressure can lift the tank lid and shatter the tank, posing impact or laceration hazards to consumers and property damage. Flushmate has received 304 reports of the product bursting, resulting in property damage and 14 impact or laceration injuries.
IF YOU OWN ONE Turn off the water supply to the recalled Flushmate III unit and stop using the system. Call 800-303-5123 to determine if your Flushmate III serial number is included in the recall and to request a free repair kit. Click here for link: http://recall.flushmate.co
PORTABLE CERAMIC SPACE HEATERS About 70,500 portable space heaters and portable oscillating space heaters sold exclusively at Big Lots stores nationwide from September 2010 through March 2012 for about $20 for Model #FH107A and $25 for Model #PTC-902T. The heaters can overheat and melt, posing a fire or electric shock hazard. Big Lots has received four reports of the product overheating and melting. There are no reports of injury, fire or property damage.
IF YOU OWN ONE Return it to a Big Lots store for a full refund. Call 866-244-5687 for more information.
ADULT TRICYCLES About 2,100 Acetrikes Tricruiser electric-powered adult tricycle sold at Independent bicycle shops and electric bicycle shops nationwide and online at Walmart.com from March 2007 through March 2012 for between $850 and $1,120. The rear axle can break causing a rear wheel to detach, posing a fall hazard to the rider. The firm is aware of six incidents, including five reports of bruises and scrapes.
IF YOU OWN ONE Contact Currie Technologies at 800-377-4532 to receive a free replacement component and repair.
CPSC: Be safe with fireworks around July 4
It’s that time of year again, when you start seeing news reports of fingers blown off and other horrible fireworks’ related accidents. And the accidents don’t just happen only on July 4th. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently conducted a study that found that 65 percent of all fireworks injuries in 2011 were sustained during the 30 days surrounding the Independence Day holiday. More than half of these injuries were the result of unexpected ignition of the device or consumers not using fireworks as intended. Fireworks injuries most often resulted in burns to the hands and head, including the eyes, face, and ears. According to the special study, sparklers, firecrackers, and aerial devices were associated with the most incidents.
Last year, CPSC received reports of four consumers who were killed by either professional-grade or homemade firework devices, while an estimated 9,600 consumers were injured.
"For thousands of consumers, last year's 4th of July celebration ended with a visit to the emergency room," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "CPSC wants you to understand the risks with legal and illegal fireworks, in order to prevent an injury, or worse, during this holiday."
While the majority of fireworks injury reports involve emergency room treatment and release, CPSC is aware of more severe and fatal injuries that are associated with consumer use of professional-grade and homemade fireworks. Reports of faster-than-expected explosions and unpredictable flight paths of aerial devices have resulted in tragic consequences for some consumers.
In the four reported fireworks-related deaths, the victims were killed when the illegal devices exploded, causing severe trauma to the head and face, and resulting in decapitation in one incident. In other incidents involving professional-grade or homemade devices, the victims reportedly sustained severe burns and the loss of fingers.
Consumers who decide to purchase legal fireworks are urged to take these safety steps:
DO make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
DON'T allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Parents may not realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees-hot enough to melt some metals.
DO always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.
DON'T buy fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
DON'T place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
DO keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
DON'T try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
DON'T point or throw fireworks at another person.
DO light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
DON'T carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
And finally, after fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
Be safe!
