Recalls

Fuel Sentry Corp., Mt. Vernon, N.Y., announced a voluntary recall of the "Activator" part of some 20,000 Automatic Day/Night Thermostat Controls, model FS-5, because of a possible fire hazard. The "Activator" unit may contain a defective carbon resistor which could cause a fire if it fails.

Consumers who have an affected unit should stop use and return the "Activator" portion only, for repair, including refund of postage costs, to: Fuel Sentry Corp., 435 E. Third Street, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. 10553 (914-699-6192).

Amana Refrigeration, Inc., announced that 96,000 owners of Amana side-by-side refrigerator-freezers made between February 1969 and September 1974, have been contacted by the company and given instructions for modifying the units to eliminate any possibility of shock hazard. The possibility of a shock hazard is caused by a defective hinge wire assembly which powers the butter-keeper heater and anti-sweat heater.

In its first announcement of the possible defect made jointly with Amana in August 1977, CPSC described the voluntary repair program for about 240,000 units. According to Amana, it has exhausted all available lists of consumers to contact concerning the modification program and wants the remaining owners to get in touch with the company immediately.

Anyone owning one of the 144,000 units that have not yet been modified should immediately furnish model, serial number, name and address to Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa 52204.

The round disc-type guard affixed to the front sprocket on these Columbia models, while acceptable on derailleur-type bicycles, does not provide coverage of the top of the chain or of any part of the chain to the rear of the front sprocket. 

Consumers are advised to contact the place of purchase of their bikes to receive the chain guard kit. The kit consists of a new chain guard which is to be fitted over the existing disc-type guard and a complete set of instructions. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced an agreement with the Pittway Corp., Northbrook, Ill., doing business as BRK Electronics, whereby Pittway has agreed to pay $100,000 in settlement of a civil penalty action. The Commission's action against Pittway concerned the company's alleged failure to report a defect in the BRK SS749 series smoke detectors which could cause such products to fail to operate and, in certain instances, to catch fire.

Anyone who has one of the Sears units affected by this recall should contact the nearest Sears store, which will arrange for inspection and free replacement of the unit containing the defect. People who believe they have any of the other detectors under recall should contact BRK to obtain a fact sheet, which gives very specific criteria for identifying potentially defective units, as well as replacement instructions.

A separation at the point where the threaded connector meets the cylinder may cause a fuel leak, resulting in possible ignition and burns to the user. Fuel leakage could also de-pressurize the cylinder quickly enough to propel it.

Consumers should stop use and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The heater is to be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. It consists of an exposed, resistive heating element contained inside a disc-shaped, perforated, aluminum case. This perforated case allows water to flow inside and directly into contact with the heating element, presenting a dangerous shock hazard if the appliance is "on" and immersed in water.

Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters and return them for a refund to: Rhinehart Manufacturing Co., Spencerville, Ind. 47688 (telephone: 219-238-4442).

A protective sleeve that insulates a lead wire may wear through if in contact with the motor shaft. Severe shock could result if the bench grinder is not properly grounded, and the user is grounded or touching a grounded metal object such as a water pipe.

The bench grinder should not be used until it has been inspected and reworked. Owners of the bench grinders should contact their local J.C. Penney store to make free inspection and repair arrangements.

The electrical insulation on some of the garden tools may have been damaged during shipping and could expose a user to an electric shock. 

To inspect the unit, the consumer is urged to unplug the unit, separate the upper and lower halves of the metal tubular shaft so as to expose the wiring, and check the visible wiring for cuts in the insulation of the wires. (About four inches of wiring is exposed when the unit is taken apart.)

The Vernco Division of the Emerson Electric Co. announced a potential fire hazard in some of its 13- and 19-inch, portable electric fans. Vernco said that under certain conditions these fans may overheat and possibly catch fire.

Consumers are cautioned against using these fans and are urged to return them to the place of purchase to arrange for free repair.