This week CPSC and General Electric announced the recall of 2.5 million GE Dishwashers.

Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser onto the dishwasher’s internal wiring, which can cause an electrical short and overheating. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.

GE has received 191 reports of overheated wiring including 56 reports of property damage. There were 12 reports of fires that escaped the dishwasher. Fire damage was limited to the dishwasher or the adjacent area. No injuries have been reported.

The recall includes GE built-in dishwashers sold under the following brand names: Eterna, GE, GE Profile, GE Monogram, Hotpoint, and Sears-Kenmore. They were sold at department and appliance stores from September 1997 through December 2001 for about $400.

Look for the model and serial numbers, which can be found inside the dishwasher tub on the front left side of the dishwasher. Check with GE or go to www.cpsc.gov for information on which units are included in the recall.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and contact General Electric for a free repair, or a rebate toward the purchase of a new GE dishwasher.

For additional information, contact General Electric toll-free at (877) 607-6395 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.geappliances.com.

Also this week, high levels of lead prompts CPSC and two firms to announce the recall of about a half million pieces of children’s jewelry. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

CPSC and Cardinal Distributing Co. Inc. are recalling about 300,000 Children’s Turquoise Rings.

The silver-colored rings have a round turquoise-colored stone on top. The stone is surrounded by a band of small silver-colored balls. The rings were sold in vending machines located in malls, and in discount, department and grocery stores in the Baltimore, Maryland area from August 2002 through April 2007.

CPSC and Spandrel Sales and Marketing Inc. also announced the recall of about 200,000 children’s necklaces, bracelets and rings with high levels of lead.

The recalled jewelry includes pendants that hang from silver-colored bracelet and necklace chains, and silver-colored rings with a charm on top. Charm shapes include silver-colored crosses, suns, moons, stars, butterflies, cupids, angels, keys, elephants, hands, cell phones, fish, and shoes.

These items were sold in vending machines nationwide from February through March 2007 for 25 cents.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled jewelry away from children and throw the items away.

And finally this week, Mervyns is recalling about 228,000 Little Girls Capri Pants with Snap Roll Cuffs.

The buttons inside the waistband of the pants can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The recalled pants are Ellemenno brand Capri pants sold in various girls’ sizes and in a variety of colors. The 100% cotton poplin pants have a snap at the cuff, the waist band and on the pockets of the pants. They were sold exclusively at Mervyns stores nationwide from December 2006 through April 2007 for about $20.

Consumers should immediately stop their children from wearing the pants and return them to any Mervyns store for a refund.

For additional information, contact Mervyns at (800) 637-8967 (or visit the company’s Web site at www.mervyns.com.

That’s it for this edition of CPSC’s weekly podcast. Subscribe to CPSC’s podcast at major podcast sites, such as iTunes. You can also find out more about these and other recalls by visiting www.cpsc.gov. Until next time, stay safe.

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