Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for December 1st, 2006.

This week, snow storms across the Midwest have caused widespread power outages. Because of this, CPSC is warning consumers about the danger of carbon monoxide when using portable generators.

Last year at least 64 people died from CO poisoning from generators. Most of these deaths occurred during the winter months.

NEVER use portable generators indoors or in garages, basements, or sheds. They should always be used outside well away from doors, vents, or any other opening.

CO from a generator is deadly and can kill you in minutes. – One generator produces as much CO as 100s of idling cars.

If you are using a portable generator, make sure to use a CO alarm in your home.

CO is an invisible, odorless killer. Initial signs of CO poisoning are dizziness, feeling weak, and flu-like symptoms but you may not have any symptoms at all.

Also, another consequence of losing power is that the number of fires caused by candle use goes up. Exercise caution when using candles. CPSC recommends using flashlights instead. If you must use candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from drafts. Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles when you leave the room.

In recall news this week, MTD Southwest Inc. Recalled about 76,000 Troy-Bilt and Craftsman brand Chain Saws.

The chain saw’s plastic front handle can break during operation. If this occurs, the saw would be difficult to control and poses a risk for lacerations.

MTD has received two reports of consumers losing control of the saw when the handles broke during use. One consumer reported bruising to his elbow and the other received burns to his fingers after contacting the muffler when the chain saw he was using broke and he lost control of the saw.

For more information, contact MTD toll-free at (888) 848-6038 or- Sears at (800) 659-7026.

Also this week, CPSC Signed a Cooperative Agreement with Japan to Improve Consumer Product Safety CPSC’s Acting Chairman Nancy Nord and President Makoto Misono of Japan’s National Institute of Technology and Evaluation signed the agreement in Brussels, Belgium. The agreement calls for an exchange of information between the two countries on consumer product safety issues, the development of training programs dealing with consumer product safety, and an exchange of safety officials to carry out consumer safety programs.

Japan is a major trading partner with the United States. It ranks fourth in imports of consumer products into the U.S.

CPSC also has signed similar agreements with China, the European Commission, India, and the Republic of Korea, among others.

For more on these items and other safety news, you can visit our Web site at www.CPSC.Gov.. And, until next time, stay safe.

End.