The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

It’s official: Consumer safety agency recalls Samsung Galaxy Note7s due to fire, burn hazards

Samsung is recalling about 1 million Galaxy Note7 smartphones sold before Sept. 15.

The lithium-ion battery can overheat and catch fire, posing a serious burn hazard to consumers, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Samsung has received 92 reports of the batteries overheating in the United States, including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage. The fires occurred in cars and a garage.

General Motors recalls 3.6 million vehicles after death related to an airbag failure

Photo: IFCAR

General Motors is recalling 3.6 million vehicles after a death was reported due to an airbag software defect.

In the recalled vehicles, driving conditions can cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module – a small computer that can tell what the vehicle is doing and controls the airbag’s deployment – to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, the air bags and seat belts won’t work.

The recall covers the 2014-2015 Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet SS, and Spark EV; 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Trax, Caprice PPV, Silverado 1500, Buick Encore, and GMC Sierra 1500; and 2015-2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado HD, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra HD, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV.

Samsung recalls 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 cell phones due to battery fires

Photo: Dhunganashashwat

Samsung is recalling 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 cell phones.

A flaw was found in the battery cell that could cause fires, Samsung said Friday. It will replace the phones sent to stores and consumers.

The company has received 35 reports of fires occurring in the Galaxy Note 7s.

‘Step-iT’ activity wristbands recalled by McDonald’s due to skin irritation and burns

McDonald’s is recalling about 29 million “Step-iT” activity wristbands in the United States and about 3.6 million in Canada.

The recalled wristbands can cause skin irritation or burns to children.

McDonald’s has received more than 70 reports of problems, including seven reports of blisters, from wearing the wristbands.

Thousands of pounds of curry seasonings recalled due to lead contamination

Oriental Packing Co. is recalling about 377,000 pounds of blended seasoning curry products because it's contaminated with lead.  Lead can accumulate in the body and cause serious and sometimes permanent health problems. The recalled products include:

Blue Mountain Brand

• Blue Mountain Country Jamaican Curry Powder
• Blue Mountain Country Hot Jamaican Curry Powder
• Blue Mountain Country Hot Jamaican Jerk Curry Seasoning

Swivel patio chairs recalled due to fall hazard

Brown Jordan Services is recalling about 265,000 Hampton Bay Fall River swivel dining and lounge chairs in the United States and about 16,000 in Canada.

The chair’s base can break during use, causing injuries.

Brown Jordan has received 410 reports of the chairs breaking, including 16 reports of injuries, mostly bruises and abrasions from falls.

What should consumers who own VW diesel cars do?

Many owners of 2.0 liter Volkswagen diesel cars will soon be able to sell their cars back to Volkswagen for more than their current replacement value as a result of a proposed $10.03 billion deceptive advertising settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC is warning consumers that people – including independent VW dealers – may try to make separate offers implying either that an offer is part of the settlement even if it’s not, or that diesel owners covered under the settlement must buy a new VW or Audi.

Owners of these VWs should visit VWCourtSettlement.com to find out how much they can get for their cars. Even though other potential buyers may offer what seems like a good deal, these alternative offers may be less than what car owners can get from Volkswagen under the settlement.

Recall of the Week: Starbuck’s stainless steel beverage straws

Starbuck’s is recalling about 2.5 million stainless steel straws in the United States and about 301,000 in Canada.

The stainless steel straws are rigid and can poke children in the mouth, posing a risk of injury, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The firm has received three reports of mouth lacerations to young children while drinking.

Recall of the Week: Loot Crate oven mitts due to burn hazard

Loot Crate is recalling about 360,000 Marvel Thanos Infinity Gauntlet oven mitts in the United States, 15,000 in Canada, and 380 in Mexico.

The oven mitts don’t have thermal protection, causing a burn hazard to consumers, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The firm has received 241 reports of burn injuries, including reports of the glove melting and burning consumers’ skin.

Recall of the Week: Bar-S franks and corn dogs due to Listeria contamination

Bar-S Foods Co. is recalling about 372,684 pounds of chicken and pork hot dogs and corn dogs that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said Tuesday.

The ready-to-eat, chicken and pork hot dogs and corn dogs were produced on July 10, 11, 12, and 13.