The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Eight consumers sickened in three states from E. coli linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp chopped salad kits

State and federal agencies are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp chopped salad kits. The eight people infected are from North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Consumers shouldn’t eat food from the salad kits with this identifying information: UPC 0 71279 30906 4, beginning with lot code Z, and a best-before date up to and including 07DEC19. This information is printed on the front of the bag in the top right corner.

Health officials advise consumers to check their refrigerators for the salad kits. If they find one, they should:

• Not eat it. Throw it away. Even if some of the kit was eaten and no one got sick, throw the rest away.
• Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where the salad kit was stored. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.

Dodge Durangos and Jeep Grand Cherokees are being recalled due to possible engine stalls

Photo: IFCAR

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling about 528,594 model year Dodge Durangos and Jeep Grand Cherokees. The fuel-pump relays may have silicon deposits that interrupt electric current, and, as a result, the engine might not start or could stall.

This recall affects 2011 to 2013 models that have had the relays corrected in a previous recall.

By Jan. 3, customers will be contacted about going to their dealership for a free inspection and repair, the FCA said.

Wooden hammers are being recalled by Stanley Black & Decker due to injury hazard

Stanley Black & Decker is recalling about 211,000 Stanley brand 16 oz. wooden handle nailing hammers.

The molded grip on the hammer can come loose, posing an injury hazard to consumers.

Stanley Black & Decker has received one report of a hammer grip detaching. No injuries have been reported.

Yamaha recalls portable generators due to fire and burn hazards

Yamaha is recalling about 10,100 2018 and 2019 Yamaha portable generators.

The generator’s fuel tank can leak gasoline, posing fire and burn hazards.

This recall involves model 2018 and 2019 Yamaha EF2000iS portable generators, with serial numbers 4543288 through 4553706. The blue generators have Yamaha and the model name printed on the control panel. The serial number can be found on a label below the exhaust outlet on the left side.

Nissan, Infiniti vehicles are being recalled again due to fire risk

Photo: Alexander Migl

Nissan is recalling 450,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada.

The anti-lock brake system actuator may leak brake fluid and cause a fire. If this happens, the ABS warning lamp will light up and remain lighted on the instrument panel.

If the ABS warning lamp in a vehicle lights up continually for more than 10 seconds after the engine starts, Nissan advises consumers to stop driving the vehicle immediately and call Nissan Roadside Assistance at 800-647-7261 to arrange towing the vehicle to a Nissan dealer for repair.

Skylight recalls power adapters sold with digital photo frames due to electric shock hazard

Skylight is recalling about 65,000 series I power adapters for Skylight digital photo frames in the United States and about 159 in Canada.

The power adapter casing can break when plugged into an electrical outlet, exposing its metal prongs, posing an electrical shock hazard.

Skylight has received eight reports of adapters breaking and exposing their metal prongs, including one report of an electric shock to a consumer.

Coastline ceramic mugs are being recalled by Hit Promotional Products due to burn and laceration hazards

Hit Promotional Products is recalling about 34,000 coastline ceramic mugs.

The mugs can crack or break when used with or exposed to hot liquids, posing burn and laceration hazards.

Hit Promotional Products has received 10 reports of the mugs cracking or breaking when hot liquids were poured into them. No injuries have been reported.

Nearly 1 million Toyota, Scion, and Lexus vehicles recalled due to possible failure of replaced airbags

Photo: IFCAR

About 928,000 vehicles are being recalled because the driver or front passenger airbag inflators were replaced as part of the Takata airbag recall using the same defective inflators. The replacement inflators may explode due to the propellant degrading after long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature. An inflator explosion could result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death.

Dealers will replace the defective airbag inflator or the airbag assembly using an alternate inflator. There will be no charge for the repairs. Toyota will begin notifying owners Nov. 15.

Vehicles affected include model year:

Zippo recalls Ronson tech torches due to fire hazard

Zippo is recalling about 660,000 Ronson tech torch auto starts in the United States and about 98,000 in Canada.

The Ronson tech torch can continue to produce a flame after the activation trigger is released to the off position, posing a fire hazard.

Zippo has identified 36 reports in the U.S. of the Ronson tech torch continuing to operate after being turned off, including one report of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

At AutoNation, 1 in 9 used cars have unrepaired safety recalls, consumer groups say

AutoNation, America’s largest auto retailer, is selling used vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls including explosive Takata airbags, faulty GM ignition switches, and defects with no fix available. “Unsafe Used Cars for Sale,” a report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety Foundation, found that one in nine cars for sale at AutoNation dealerships across the country have unrepaired defects that make them dangerous to drivers, passengers, and others on the roadways.

“By selling recalled cars with safety defects, AutoNation puts customers in danger before they even reach home,” said Adam Garber, consumer watchdog for the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. “The only way that AutoNation can ensure a ‘worry-free’ purchase is to repair every recalled vehicle before selling it.”

The survey found numerous unsafe cars among more than 2,400 vehicles analyzed at 28 dealerships in 12 states. The recalled vehicles had defects that could cause vehicles to stall in traffic, seat belts to fail, Takata air bags to propel metal fragments at passengers, cars to catch on fire, or steering to malfunction.