The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Recall of the Week: Hitachi Koki grass trimmers due to fire and burn hazards

Hitachi Koki is recalling about 115,000 grass trimmers in the United States and 12,400 in Canada.

The grass trimmers can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to the consumer, said the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled grass trimmers and contact Hitachi Koki U.S.A. for instructions on how to return the product for a free repair.

This recall involves 12 models of Hitachi Koki and Tanaka-brand hand-held grass trimmers.

The gasoline-powered trimmers have either a green engine cover, Hitachi, or orange, Tanaka. The Hitachi or Tanaka logo is printed on the circular plate on the starter pull housing. Model and serial numbers are also located on the circular plate.

Click here for a listing of model numbers involved in the recall. The recalled grass trimmers have a serial number that begin with J, P, or a number: 

The grass trimmers were sold at Lowes, Sears, and other home improvement and building supply stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from March 2010 through November 2013. The cost was between $300 and $800. 

For more information, call Hitachi Koki U.S.A. Ltd. at 855-880-6638 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to www.hitachipowertools.com and click on “Safety Notice Recall.”

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: General Motors small cars due to ignition switches that may turn off, causing engine stalls and increased injury hazard

General Motors is recalling about 1.4 million Chevrolet Cobalts from the 2005-7 model years; 2003-7 Saturn Ions; 2006-7 Chevrolet HHRs and Pontiac Solstices; and 2007 Saturn Sky and Pontiac G5 models.

In the recalled models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

If the key isn’t in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Until repairs are made, car owners should use the ignition key without any extra items attached, including a key fob, a security device used by some car owners.

The automaker said it’s aware of 13 deaths related to the problem.

After a 10-year investigation, GM announced its initial recall on Feb. 13 and an expansion of that recall on Tuesday.

GM will notify owners about the recall, and dealers will replace the ignition switch for no charge, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The manufacturer hasn’t provided a notification schedule yet.

Consumers can contact Chevrolet at 800-222-1020, Pontiac at 800-762-2737, or Saturn at 800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: MAT Industries air compressors due to shock hazard

MAT Industries LLC is recalling about 100,000 HDX and Powermate two-gallon air compressors in the United States and 7,000 in Canada.

The terminals of the pressure switch can come into contact with the motor housing and electrify the air compressors, posing a shock hazard to consumers, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall involves HDX and Powermate brand two-gallon electric air compressors.  Each air compressor has a pair of one-gallon tanks that are stacked on each other.

The air compressors are 120-volts, have an operating pressure maximum of 100 PSI, and offer air delivery of .4 SCFM at 90 psi.

The HDX air compressors are gray with HDX printed in white on the top cylinder. HDX model number/sku numbers are VSP0000201.HDX, VSP0000201.HDX1, and 947282, with serial numbers made up of numbers. The model and serial numbers are printed on a sticker on the back of the top air compressor cylinder. 

The Powermate air compressors are red with Powermate printed in white on the top cylinder. HDX or Powermate compressors with a letter in the serial numbers aren’t included. Powermate model numbers include VSP0000201, VSP0000201.01, VSP0000201.KIT, and VSP0000201.NS.

The air compressors were sold at Home Depot and online at homedepot.com (HDX air compressors only), Menards, and other stores (Powermate air compressors) nationwide from June 2010 through October 2013. The cost was $80 and $120. 

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled air compressors and contact MAT Industries for a free repair, the company and commission advise. 

For more information, call MAT Industries at 855-922-2300 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, visit www.powermate.com and click on Air Compressors, then VSP0000201, or go to www.homedepot.com and click on Product Recalls for more information.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: Prius cars due to stall hazard

Toyota is recalling about 700,000 Prius cars, model years 2010 through 2014.

The software’s current settings could cause transistors to heat up, resulting in warning lights coming on and the car slowing down to a limp-home mode. The hybrid system also might shut down causing the car to stall, increasing the risk of collisions.

Toyota will notify owners by first class mail, and Toyota dealers will update the software free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin in late February 2014. Consumers can contact Toyota at 800-331-4331.

Consumers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: B-Agile, B-Agile Double, and BOB Motion Britax strollers due to partial finger amputation hazard

Britax Child Safety Inc. is recalling about 216,000 B-Agile, B-Agile Double, and BOB Motion strollers in the United States and 8,800 in Canada

The hinge on the stroller’s folding mechanism can partially amputate consumers’ fingertips, break their fingers, cause severe lacerations, or other injuries when they press the release button while pulling on the release strap, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Britax has received eight reports or injury. They include one partial fingertip amputation, one broken finger, and severe finger lacerations.

This recall involves Britax B-Agile, B-Agile Double and BOB Motion strollers. The single and double strollers were sold in various color schemes, including black, red, kiwi, sandstone, navy, and orange.

They were manufactured between March 2011 and June 2013 and have the following model numbers: U341763, U341764, U341782, and U341783 for the B-Agile strollers; U361818 or U361819 for the B-Agile Double strollers; and U391820, U391821 and U391822 for the BOB Motion strollers.

The model number and the manufacture date in YYYY/MM/DD format can be found on a label located on the inside of the stroller’s metal frame near the right rear wheel.

The strollers were sold at major retailers and juvenile products stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, albeebaby.com, buybuybaby.com, diapers.com, ToysRUs.com, and other online retailers from May 2011 through June 2013 for between $250 and $450.

Consumers should stop using the recalled strollers immediately and contact Britax to receive a free repair kit, the company and commission advise.

For more information, call Britax at 866-204-1665 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, visit the company’s websites at www.britaxusa.com or www.bobgear.com and click on “Safety Notice” at the top right corner or on “Learn More” at the bottom center of the page, or e-mail strollerrecall@britax.com.

For details on other recalls, call www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: GE brand dehumidifiers due to serious fire and burn hazards

Gree is expanding its recall of dehumidifiers to include about 350,000 GE brand dehumidifiers in the United States and 2,700 in Canada.

Gree previously recalled 2.2 million dehumidifiers under 12 other brand names in September 2013.

The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke and catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The firm has received 16 reports of incidents with the recalled GE-brand dehumidifiers, including 11 reports of overheating with no property damage beyond the units, and five reports of fires beyond the units, which were associated with about $430,000 reported in property damage. This is in addition to more than 71 fires and $2,725,000 in property damage reported with other brands of Gree-manufactured dehumidifiers in the previous recall.  No injuries have been reported.  

This recall involves 30, 40, 50, 65-pint dehumidifiers with the GE brand name. The brand name, model number, pint capacity, and manufacture date are printed on the nameplate sticker on the back of the dehumidifier.

The dehumidifiers are light gray plastic and measure between 19 and 23 inches tall, 13 and 15 inches wide, and 9 and 11 inches deep. 

The dehumidifiers were sold at Sam’s Club, Walmart, and other stores nationwide and in Canada, and online at Amazon.com and Ebay.com, from April 2008 through December 2011 for between $180 and $270.

Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact Gree to receive a refund, the company and commission advise.

Call Gree toll-free at 866-853-2802 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, or visit www.greeusa.com and click on Recall for more information.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: Flushmate III pressure-assist flushing systems for toilets due to impact and laceration hazards

Flushmate is recalling about 351,000 Flushmate III pressure-assist flushing systems in the U.S. and about 9,400 in Canada.

The Series 503 Flushmate III also was previously recalled in June 2012.

The system can burst at or near the vessel weld seam releasing stored pressure, said the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This pressure can lift the tank lid and shatter the tank, causing impact and laceration hazards to consumers and property damage.

Flushmate has received three reports of the units included in this recall bursting, resulting in property damage and no reports of injury.

This recall is for Series 503 Flushmate III Pressure Assist flushing systems installed inside toilet tanks that were manufactured from March 2008 through June 2009. Previously recalled systems were manufactured from October 1997 through February 2008.

The units are rectangular, black, two-piece vessels made of injection molded plastic.

Recalled units have a date code/serial number that is 16 characters long and is located on the label on the top of the Flushmate III. The first six numbers of the serial number are the date code. The date code range for units in this recall in MMDDYY format is 030108 – March 1, 2008 – through 063009 – June 30, 2009. 

The date code range for previously recalled systems in MMDDYY format was 101497 – Oct. 14, 1997 – through 022908 – Feb. 29, 2008.

Units included in this recall were sold individually and installed in toilets manufactured by American Standard, Crane, Ecotech, Eljer, Gerber, Kohler, Mancesa, Mansfield, Orion, St. Thomas, Universal Rundle, Vitra, Vitromex, and Western Pottery.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Flushmate III system, turn off the water supply to the unit, flush the toilet to release the internal pressure, and contact the firm to request a free repair kit.

For more information, call Flushmate at 800-303-5123 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday, or visit www.flushmate.com and click on “Flushmate III Recall” in the black box on the top left of the page.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: RSI bathroom medicine cabinets due to injury hazard

RSI Home Products is recalling about 14,000 bathroom medicine cabinets.

The mirror or its back panel can separate and fall out, posing an injury hazard to consumers, said the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

RSI has received two reports of the cabinet’s mirror or back panel detaching and falling out. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves four models of Glacier Bay-branded bathroom medicine cabinets, manufactured between July 15, 2013 and October 10, 2013. They have a mirrored door and two adjustable and two fixed interior shelves. Some models have exterior display side shelves.

The shelves were sold in 21, 23, and 30-inch widths and in three finishes: cognac, java, and white. “VOC” and the manufacture date are stamped on the exterior of the cabinet’s back panel. The model and SKU number appear on the product’s box.

The shelves were sold at Home Depot stores nationwide from August 2013 through October 2013 for between $70 and $90.

Consumers should immediately stop using and uninstall the recalled bathroom medicine cabinet and return it to The Home Depot for a full refund, the company and commission advise.

For more information, call RSI at 888-774-8062 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit www.homedepot.com and click on Product Recalls, or e-mail RSIMedCab@rsihomeproducts.com.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: U.S. Boiler gas-fired hot water boilers due to carbon monoxide hazard

U.S. Boiler Co. Inc. is recalling about 26,000 gas-fired hot water boilers in the United States and about 310 in Canada.

The air pressure switch can fail to shut down the burners when there’s a blockage in the vent system, allowing the boiler to emit excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, which can be a CO poisoning hazard to the consumer.

This recall involves U.S. Boiler ESC, PVG, and SCG model cast iron hot water boilers that use natural gas or liquid petroleum to heat water for residential space heating.

The boilers are light blue in color with black trim, about 40 inches tall, about 26 inches deep, and range from 12 to 31 inches wide. The model name and U.S. Boiler logo are on the front cover of the boiler. The front cover of the boiler is vented.

Recalled boilers were manufactured between December 2005 and February 2013. The model number, serial number, and manufacturing date are located on a silver label on the top panel of ESC models and on the inside of PVG and SCG models on the right side panel. The manufacturing date appears in the upper right corner of the silver label in the MM/YYYY format. 

The boilers were sold at plumbing and heating wholesale distributors nationwide from December 2005 through February 2013 for between $1,700 and $4,900.

Consumers with recalled boilers should immediately contact the installer or distributor from whom they purchased the boiler or U.S. Boiler to schedule an in-home safety inspection and repair, the commission and company advise. Consumers who continue use of the boilers while awaiting repair should have a working carbon monoxide alarm installed outside of sleeping areas in the home.

For more information, call U.S. Boiler at 888-432-8887 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit www.usboiler.net and click on CPSC Product Recall Announcement.

For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2014, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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Recall of the Week: Mainstays card table and chairs sold at Walmart due to finger amputation and fall hazards

Walmart is recalling about 73,400 Mainstays five-piece card table and chair sets.

The chairs can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall hazard and a risk of finger injury, including finger amputation.

Walmart has received 10 reports of injuries from collapsing chairs, said the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Injury reports include one finger amputation, three fingertip amputations, sprained or fractured fingers, and one report of a sore back.

This recall involves the Mainstays card table sets with a black padded metal folding table and four black padded metal folding chairs. “Made by: Dongguan Shin Din Metal & Plastic Products Co,” the company that made the chair cushions, is printed on a white label on the bottom of the chairs.

The card table sets were sold nationwide Walmart stores and online at www.walmart.com from May 2013 through November 2013 for about $50.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled card table and chair sets and return the sets to Walmart for a full refund, the company and the commission advise. 

For more information, call Walmart at 800-925-6278 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, or visit www.walmart.com and click on Product Recalls.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

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