Serenity Spa Hot Tubs recall

On April 1 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the following product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Serenity Spa Hot Tubs

Units: About 1,670

Manufacturer: Gecko Alliance of Quebec, Canada

Hazard: The hot tub’s spa control can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Gecko Alliance has received 28 reports of the spa control overheating, including one incident of damage to spa equipment. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Hydropool Serenity Series Spa hot tubs with serial numbers 01350XXXX through 03210XXXX. The serial numbers are printed on the right side of the spa control. The Gecko spa control (SSPA-1) has model number 0202-205097 printed on it.

Sold Exclusively by: Hydropool dealers throughout Northeastern United States in Serenity brand spas from January 2002 through December 2004 for between $3,900 to $8,200.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the hot tubs and reduce the water temperature control to the minimum setting. Consumers should contact Gecko Alliance’s Back-Pak support center to receive the free retrofit enclosure kit. The kit will be provided with a full set of instructions. Instructions also are available at www.back-pak.com. Consumer should not use their spa until after the retrofit enclosure kit is installed.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Back-Pak support team toll-free at (800) 784 3256 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET or visit www.back-pak.com

Hamilton Beach recalls toasters

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Hamilton Beach® and Proctor-Silex® Toasters

Units: About 482,000

Importer: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc., of Glen Allen, Va.

Hazard: The toasters can remain “on” (energized) after popping up, and can ignite flammable items covering or in contact with the toaster, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Hamilton Beach has received at least 63 reports of toasters that remained “on” despite being in the “up” position. There are no reports of injuries or fires.

Description: The recalled Hamilton Beach® and Proctor-Silex® toasters are black, red, white, chrome or brushed chrome with 2-slice or 4-slice openings. Hamilton Beach or Proctor-Silex is printed on the side of the toasters. Only specific series codes of each model are included in this recall. The model number and series code are printed on the bottom of the toasters.

Toaster Model Numbers
22145B	22779
22145BC	22900
22450	22903
22559	22903H
22625	24450
22627C	24559
22635	24657
22657	24779
22658

Sold at: Department stores, mass merchandisers, grocery stores, home center stores, and other stores retail stores nationwide, and various online retailers from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $13 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toasters and contact Hamilton Beach for instructions to receive a free replacement toaster.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hamilton Beach at (800) 574-6800 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hamiltonbeach.com for Hamilton Beach® toasters, and www.proctorsilex.com for Proctor-Silex® toasters.

JC Penney recalls deep fryers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cooks Deep Fryers

Units: About 27,000

Importer: JCPenney, of Plano, Texas

Hazard: The deep fryer has a faulty heating element which can cause it to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: JCPenney is aware of five incidents involving the deep fryers, including one report of a minor burn and three reports of damaged countertops.

Description: The Cooks deep fryer has a brushed stainless steel exterior, a wire mesh basket with a handle, a lid with a window and black handles. The deep fryer has a 1/3-gallon capacity. “Cooks” is stamped on the side of the deep fryer. Model number 22016 is printed on the bottom of the deep fryer.

Sold exlusively at: JCPenney’s stores nationwide, catalog and at www.jcp.com from August 2007 through January 2008 for about $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the deep fryer and return it to the nearest JCPenney store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact JCPenney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.jcp.com

Killer stoves in the spotlight again

Killer stoves?

It sounds like a bad horror movie, but it’s for real. Consumer advocates estimate that there have been at least 33 deaths and 84 serious injuries in recent years from stoves that suddenly tip over and burn or kill someone underneath.

Most of the victims have been children scalded by whatever is bubbling on top of the stove, or elderly people trying to get something in or out of the oven....

The solution is simple. An anti-tip bracket should be installed with every stove to keep it steady and upright while in use.

In a recent settlement of a class-action lawsuit, Sears agreed to install the necessary brackets on about four million free-standing or slide-in stoves that were sold, delivered, and connected by the store between July 2, 2000 and September 18, 2007. The company also agreed to install anti-tip brackets on all free-standing stoves delivered over the next three years.

The settlement is good news for Sears customers, but what about people who buy their stoves somewhere else?

More here from The New York Times.

Icy Hot - a little too hot

The Food and Drug Administration announced today that Chattem, Inc., of Chattanooga, Tenn., is recalling several varieties of its Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air-Activated Heat patches "because it has received some consumer reports of first, second and third degree burns as well as skin irritation resulting from consumer use or possible misuse of these products."

Read more here at ABC News.

Polaris Recalls Certain Ranger Utility Vehicles Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Model Year 2008 Polaris Ranger RZR 800 EFI Utility Vehicles

Units: 330

Manufacturer: Polaris Industries Inc., of Medina, Minn.

Hazard: The utility vehicle’s fuel tank can leak, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received four reports of the fuel tank leaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: Model Year 2008 Polaris Ranger RZR 800 EFI utility vehicles with model number R08VH76AD (red), and model number R08VH76AG (green) are included in this recall. They were manufactured between August 21, 2007 and October 3, 2007. The model number decal is located under the passenger seat.

Sold by: Polaris dealers nationwide from August 2007 through November 2007 for about $10,300.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled utility vehicles immediately and contact their local Polaris dealer to arrange for a fuel tank inspection free of charge, and if necessary, a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Polaris at (888) 704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT every day, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.polarisindustries.com

Starbucks Recalls Coffee Mugs Due To Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Starbucks Fusion Coffee Mugs

Units: About 167,000

Importer: Starbucks Coffee Co., of Seattle, Wash.

Manufacturer: lab921, Seattle, Wash.

Hazard: The plastic handle can detach from the body of the mug when filled with hot liquids, posing a minor burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Starbucks has received 23 reports of handles detaching from the mug, including nine that resulted in minor burns.

Description: This recall involves two styles of Starbucks 14-ounce Fusion Coffee Mugs. The mugs are white and have a black plastic handle, and a stainless steel base. The cups have “Starbucks Coffee” printed on a black stamp or a brown original Starbucks logo stamp.

Manufactured in: China

Sold at: Mugs with the “Starbucks Coffee” stamp were sold at Starbucks stores nationwide from February 2007 through November 2007 for about $11. Mugs with the original logo stamp were sold only at Starbucks Pike Place store in Seattle, Washington during the same period and for the same price.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the mugs and contact Starbucks for instructions on returning the cups for a full refund. Starbucks is also offering a free beverage as an incentive to return the recalled mugs.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Starbucks at (800) 624-8678 anytime or visit the firm’s web site at www.starbucks.com

Keystone Manufacturing Co. and QVC Recall Convection Ovens

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cook’s Essentials Convection Ovens with Pull-Out Rotisserie and Deni Convection Ovens with Rotisserie

Units: About 32,000

Retailer: QVC of West Chester, Pa.

Distributor: Keystone Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Buffalo, N.Y.

Hazard: Wires behind the control panel can overheat, posing fire and electric shock hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: QVC has received 49 reports of incidents, including five minor burns, five electrical shocks and 11 incidents of minor property damage to kitchen cabinets and countertops.

Description: This recall involves the Cook’s Essentials Multi-Function Convection Oven with Pull-Out Rotisserie (model number 910500), which was also sold as the Deni Convection Oven with Rotisserie (model number 10500). The model number can be found on the bottom of the oven. These are countertop ovens and the brand name “Cook’s Essentials” or “Deni” is found on the front right panel.

Sold through: The Cook’s Essentials brand was sold exclusively through QVC and the Deni brand was sold through various on-line retailers from October 2006 through May 2007 for about $125.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven and contact QVC or Keystone to receive a replacement oven or a refund. QVC and Keystone have notified consumers by telephone and by mail to stop using the oven.

Consumer Contact: Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven through a QVC broadcast or at QVC.com, and who have not been contacted by QVC, should call QVC at (800) 367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET seven days a week. Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven at a QVC outlet or retail store should return the oven to the store at which it was purchased for a refund. Consumers who bought a Deni brand oven and who have not been contacted by Keystone should call Keystone at (800) 336-4822 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit QVC’s Web site at www.qvc.com or Deni’s Web site at www.deni.com

Sam's Club recalls over 100,000 Outdoor Torch Lamps

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Ceramic Oil Torch Lamps

Units: About 138,000

Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

Hazard: The ceramic torch head can come loose or be dislodged during use, allowing it to break and spill torch fuel. This poses a risk of cuts, fire or burn injuries and property damage.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 107 reports of the ceramic torch head separating from its base. There are two reports of injuries including cuts to the hands of a consumer who was picking up broken pieces, and a child who received a cut to the scalp from a falling torch head and a skin rash from the spilled oil.

Description: The recalled oil torch lamp is 6-feet tall with a green, bowl-shaped, ceramic open-flame lamp that is attached to a brown cast iron pole and stand. A flame snuffer is attached to the lamp by a chain. The lamp and pole can be disconnected from the base and the pole placed directly in the ground. The product was sold as a set of four torches.

Sold at: Sam’s Clubs nationwide from February 2007 through July 2007 for about $60.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled torch lamps and return them to Sam’s Club for a full refund. Sam’s Club is contacting consumers who purchased the torch lamps directly.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm’s recall hotline at (800) 828-9316 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at www.walmartstores.com