The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Vinyl covers for motorized awnings are being recalled by SunSetter after one death reported

SunSetter is recalling about 270,000 vinyl covers for motorized awnings in the United States and about 11,000 units in Canada.

If a powered awning is activated while the cover is secured with bungee tie-downs then the cover is removed, the awning can open unexpectedly with enough force to strike a consumer, causing him or her to fall and suffer serious injury or death.

The company has received 14 reports of incidents, including one death and six injuries. The death occurred when a 73-year-old man fell from a ladder and went over a balcony after a motorized awning opened unexpectedly and struck him while he was removing the cover’s bungee tie-downs.

Eddie Bauer and Disney inclined sleepers recalled by Dorel Juvenile Group USA due to infant deaths in other inclined sleepers

Dorel Juvenile Group USA is recalling about 24,000 inclined sleepers sold under the Eddie Bauer and Disney brand names.

Infant fatalities have been reported while using other inclined sleepers, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.

This recall involves the Eddie Bauer Slumber and Soothe Bassinet with model number BT055CSY and the Disney Baby Doze and Dream Bassinet with model number BT071DHS. The model numbers are located on a label on the underneath side of the fabric of the inclined sleeper pad.

Another problem recall: Dangerous inclined sleepers that have killed 36 infants

On Tuesday, I wrote about problems with the recall of the MacBook Pro computer that I experienced. I only learned about the recall, the replacement of batteries due to a fire hazard, because I write weekly about recalls and saw it listed on the website of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. I complained to an Apple store manager that more needs to be done to inform consumers about the recall. On average, consumers follow up on recalls 6 percent of the time.

The recall of infant sleepers that is killing babies is an even more significant problem recall.

Three months after nearly 5.4 million infant sleepers were recalled for causing 36 infant deaths, a survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education and Kids in Danger or KID, a group working on product safety for children, showed that some day care centers continue to use the dangerous inclined sleepers. One in 10 of the 376 survey respondents that have children under age 1 indicated they were using at least one of these dangerous sleepers in the day care center. The survey began after PIRG Consumer Watchdog Adam Garber discovered that his own son’s daycare in Philadelphia was using the recalled products.

Recall of Apple computer shows the problem with the recall system in the U.S.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the recall of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro. For some reason, I didn’t think about it being my laptop, probably because I thought mine had a larger screen. However, I finally looked online, and sure enough, it was my computer.

Apple has received 26 reports of the 15-inch MacBook Pro’s battery overheating, including five reports of minor burns and one report of smoke inhalation, as well as 17 reports of minor damage to nearby personal property.

The advice from Apple and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission was to immediately stop using the recalled laptop computers. Consumers were advised to contact Apple to schedule a free repair, according to the recall announcement.

Magnetic trivets being recalled by Tristar Products due to ingestion hazard

Tristar Products is recalling about 350,000 magnetic trivets.

Magnets can detach from the trivets, posing an ingestion hazard to children. When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside the intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis, and death. Internal injury from magnets can pose serious lifelong health effects.

Tristar Products has received one report of magnets detaching from a trivet and being swallowed by a child. The child suffered intestinal perforations and blockage, requiring surgery.

Table saws sold at Lowe’s are being recalled by Chang Type due to fire hazard

Chang Type Industrial Co. is recalling about 258,000 Porter-Cable 10” table saws in the United States and 990 were in Canada.

The motor can overheat, creating a fire hazard.

Chang Type has received 61 reports of the table saw motors overheating and causing fires. One consumer reported smoke damage to their home. No injuries have been reported.

White mugs being recalled by Lifetime Brands due to burn and laceration hazards

Lifetime Brands is recalling about 150,000 Fitz and Floyd Nevaeh white can mugs in the United States and 3,500 in Canada.

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

Lifetime Brands and Fitz and Floyd have received reports of seven incidents where the mugs cracked after holding hot liquids with one report of a consumer receiving minor burns.

Smoke alarms recalled by Universal Security Instruments due to failure to alert consumers to a fire

Universal Security Instruments is recalling about 180,000 battery powered smoke and fire alarms.

The smoke alarms can have a misaligned internal switch causing the alarms to not activate properly, posing a risk of failure to alert consumers to a fire.

The company has received 134 reports of failure to properly activate during installation.

Inclined sleeper accessory included with ultra-lite day & night play yards being recalled by Fisher-Price due to safety concerns

Fisher-Price is recalling about 71,000 inclined sleeper accessory included with all models of Fisher-Price ultra-lite day & night play yards.

Infant fatalities have been reported while using other inclined sleep products, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.

This recall involves the inclined sleeper accessory sold with all ultra-lite day & night play yards with model numbers CBV60, CHP86, CHR06, CJK24, and DJD11. The model number is located on the fabric label inside of the play yard and on the fabric label on the back of the inclined sleeper pad. The product is a portable play yard with inclined sleeper and changing station clutch accessories and a carry bag; the inclined sleeper accessory is the only portion of the product that is being recalled.

15-inch MacBook Pro laptops being recalled by Apple due to fire hazard

Apple is recalling about 432,000 15-inch MacBook Pro laptop computers in the United States and about 26,000 in Canada.

The batteries in the recalled laptop computers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Apple has received 26 reports of the laptop’s battery overheating, including five reports of minor burns and one report of smoke inhalation, as well as 17 reports of minor damage to nearby personal property.