Recalls
A severe or fatal electric shock can occur when a user contacts the handle of the pressure washer if the machine is ungrounded and a second fault occurs. This could happen if the power cord to extension cord connections become wet, or an improper or faulty extension cord is used, or a fault exists within the pressure washer electrical system.
Britt Tech and its private labelers will provide free material designed to isolate electrically the pressure washer's handle in order to prevent serious electric shock to consumers.
To obtain the free safety component kit and complete instructions, Iowa residents and others may write to Britt Tech Corporation, Department R, P.O. Box 216, Britt Iowa 50423. No phone number for the company is currently available.
Approximately 136,000
If the tea kettle is placed off center over a high flame on a gas range, it may cause the plastic handle to soften and as a result the collar may loosen and dislodge from the glass tea kettle. If the kettle is then lifted, boiling water could splash on the user and result in scalds or burns.
If you have one of these pots and the handle shows signs of deformation, discontinue use of the pot and discard it.
Over 1 million
The Commission and Symmons warn that scalding may occur in the shower systems when there is a failure on the part of the installer to set the temperature-limiting device in the pressure balancing valve, known as the Limit Stop Screw. As a result, there is unusually hot water in the plumbing system because of a failure of other temperature-controlling devices elsewhere in the plumbing system.
Symmons is placing warning statements in its installation and user instructions, and placing warning sticker labels on the shower system to warn the installer of the potential scalding hazard when these units are not properly installed and adjusted.
Owners, users, and operators of facilities which have the Symmons shower systems should check the water temperature of the shower system at its hottest setting. If the water temperature is more than 120° degrees F., the shower system and the central hot water system should be checked and adjusted by a plumber.
Robertshaw indicated that because of their age, critical parts of the safety control on some older systems can ultimately wear out, leading to a potentially dangerous condition. These controls have been involved in explosions and fires in which there have been deaths, personal injuries, and property damage.
Because replacement controls are no longer available, Robertshaw is reimbursing consumers presently using these controls $150 to help defray the cost of purchasing a new water-heating system.
Consumers who find that they are using one of these controls should have a new water-heating system installed immediately by their LP gas distributor, dealer or other authorized representative. Consumers will have to replace the entire water heater in order to be compensated.
Fewer than 1,000
These valves, which were manufactured during the period of December 1954 through March 1957, may be involved in severe burn injuries and death resulting from explosion and fires.
Robertshaw is offering a $50 bounty to any user of LP gas who identifies the affected control value in their home, as well as a free replacement of it.
Consumers who own LP gas water heaters should check the heater control to determine if a Unitrol Model 110 or 200 with a date code mentioned has been used. If so, consumers should not attempt to remove or check the operation of the controls themselves, but rather should contact Robertshaw at its toll-free number, 1-800-421-1130. In California, call 1-800-262-1173.
After a thorough investigation of an accident involving the "Enterprise" amusement ride, on October 17, 1983, at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, in which one rider died and at least three persons were hospitalized, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced an interim corrective action plan for mobile "Enterprise" rides operating in the United States.
The corrective action, which is to be implemented by Huss Trading Corporation in conjunction with owners of 6 similar mobile Enterprise rides operating in the United States, would include upgrading key structural components of the rides to bring them up to the latest manufacturing design.
The plan will require intensive inspections—on a daily, monthly, and annual basis—by ride owners and operators, in an effort to detect early-on the presence of significant structural damage or other problems affecting the Enterprise ride so as to avert similar tragedies in the future.
Seven mobile units and 12 stationary Enterprise sites
These tillers have a clutch locking button that allows the tiller to be locked in reverse. The firms have received over 20 reports of injuries, the most severe occurring when the tillers reportedly backed over users causing severe lacerations, fractures, or amputations to their legs.
Sears will place posters at various locations in its stores to inform customers of a modification kit to eliminate the clutch locking mechanism. The free kit is easy to install and is designed to allow the consumer to operate the tiller without excess hand fatigue.
The toy may present choking and ingestion hazards because of a small knob which can be pulled off.
Consumers should remove these toys from use and return them directly to the company. Tiger is prepared to offer in exchange a SELECT-O-FUN Musical Computer Toy, Model No. 7-511.
Approximately 15,000
CPSC believes the units have demonstrated a pattern of weld failure that could allow carbon monoxide to escape and be drawn into the home. Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, nausea, and lead to death.
The firm is in the process of filing for bankruptcy and is unable to undertake any corrective action for the products.
CPSC urges owners of these furnaces to contact a qualified professional heating equipment installer and arrange for the furnace to be inspected for cracks, particularly at the top of the heat exchanger between the creosote collectors and around the firebox doors. If cracks are found, consumers should have a certified welder repair them. Any welding repairs should be reinspected yearly.
Approximately 12,000
The complaint alleges that the design of the valve knob, which utilizes plastic lugs keyed into the metal slots of the gas cock, is defective. It maintains that V5130 controls which were made between 1958 and 1976, have knobs that can be easily worn and broken such that the knob can become reversed (rotated 180°) with respect to the gas cock. Should this happen, the knob could become stuck in the depressed position and defeat the pilot-flame safety system. Thereafter, if the pilot flame should go out, the water cools, the thermostat calls for heat, and the control valve opens to heat the water. As a result, substantial quantities of unburned gas will be released through the pilot and main burners and create a serious explosion and/or fire hazard.
The consumer may need to consult his LP gas supplier or a qualified plumber to get positive identification of the valve.
Persons who become aware of explosion or fire incidents that may be associated with this product should contact the CPSC on its toll-free Hotline 800-638-CPSC. Information regarding this matter may also be obtained by calling the CPSC toll-free Hotline. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.