Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for August 25, 2006.
CPSC announced seven new recalls this week. This week’s podcast includes another notebook computer battery recall posing a fire hazard; the recall of a replacement lawnmower blade that can crack during use, and pieces can break away posing a serious laceration hazard; and notice of proposed rulemaking concerning new labels to warn of carbon monoxide dangers with portable generators.
First off this week, Apple Announced the Recall of 1.1 million Batteries Used in Previous iBook and PowerBook Computers Due To Fire Hazard. An additional 700,000 battery packs were sold outside the U.S.
These lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Apple has received nine reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of minor burns from handling overheated computers and other reports of minor property damage. No serious injuries were reported.
The recalled lithium-ion batteries were used with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4.
They were sold with these computers from October 2003 through August 2006 for between $900 and $2300. The batteries also were sold separately for about $130.
Consumers should remove the battery from the computer to view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the unit. Contact Apple to see if your battery’s model and serial number is included in this recall.
Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.
For more information, Contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 or log on to Apple’s Web site at http://support.apple.com/batteryprogram.
In other recall news, Blount International Inc. announced the recall of 94,000 Replacement Blades for Use with Snapper Riding Lawnmowers.
When the lawnmower is operated, the replacement blade can crack and pieces can break away, posing a serious laceration hazard to consumers and bystanders.
Blount has received six reports of replacement blades either cracking or breaking. No injuries have been reported.
The recalled replacement lawnmower blades are intended for use on Snapper riding lawnmowers. The recalled blades are sold for use as replacement parts under the Oregon® and Silver Streak® brands only. The blades were sold at power or yard equipment dealers and hardware stores nationwide from November 2002 through August 2006 for between $16 and $28.
For more information on identifying the recalled blades, visit the firm’s Web site at www.blount.com.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled replacement blades and return them to the store where purchased or any other retailer that carries the Snapper Riding Lawnmowers for a free replacement.
For more information, consumers can contact Blount at (866) 685-5449.
Finally this week, CPSC Approves a notice of proposed rulemaking for a New Warning Label for Portable Generators
In an effort to reduce the rising death toll from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with consumer use of portable generators, the CPSC voted unanimously to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking.
The proposed standard would require manufacturers to place a new warning label on portable generators. The label includes pictograms and statements warning consumers that a generator’s exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide and that a generator should NEVER be used inside the home or in partially enclosed areas such as garages. Go to www.cpsc.gov and click on the link under “what’s hot” to see a picture of the new label proposed.
CPSC has reports of 64 people who died last year from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with portable generators. Many of the deaths occurred after hurricanes and major storms.
Later this year, CPSC staff will be providing the Commission with information on other potential regulatory and non-regulatory options to reduce deaths and injuries caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from generators.
The public has 75 days to comment to the Commission about the NPR. Comments can be submitted to CPSC’s Office of the Secretary at tstevenson@cpsc.gov
Check out all of these items and other safety news announced this week at our Web site at www.CPSC.Gov. It is an excellent resource for information to help keep you and your family safe. You can also use our Web site to report a product you think might be a safety problem. Just click on “Report an Unsafe Product” from our home page. Also, we want to hear from you. Write to us at Podcast@cpsc.gov to give us your feedback on CPSC’s weekly podcast. And join us each week to get more updates on consumer product safety news. Until next time, stay safe.
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