Goodman heating and cooling units recalled for fire hazard

On April 3, 2008 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Name of Product: Package Gas-Electric Heating and Cooling Units

Manufacturer: Goodman Manufacturing Co. L.P., of Houston, Texas

Units: About 1,000

Hazard: The serial plates on the units contain inaccurate information that could result in the use of undersized installation wiring, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: This recall involves Goodman single package gas-electric heating and cooling units with model numbers GPG13480901AC, GPG13481151AC, GPG13600901BB, GPG13601151BB, and GPG13601401BB, and with serial numbers beginning 0712, 0801, and 0802. The model and serial numbers are found on the serial plate attached to the control compartment door on the front of the unit.

Sold by: Heating and cooling equipment dealers nationwide from December 2007 through February 2008.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Goodman is directly contacting consumers with the recalled units to arrange for a free replacement of the serial plates and free inspection of the installation wiring.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Goodman at (800) 394-8084 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company’s Web site at www.goodmanmfg.com

Children's Sweatshirts recalled for strangulation hazard

On April 2 the 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: Hooded Youth Sweatshirts and Jackets

Units: About 7,400

Manufacturer: Brents-Riordan Inc. LLC, of Shreveport, La.

Hazard: The garments have a drawstring through the hood, which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist by drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Youth Hooded Sweatshirt (item # 11037Y-39) and the Youth Insulated Bomber with Hood (item # 1113Y-39). The item number is found in a label located underneath the care label. The sweatshirts have a camouflage design and “Photoflauge™” is printed on them.

Sold at: Various retail stores nationwide from July 2007 through December 2007 for between $20 and $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings to eliminate the hazard or return the sweatshirts to either the place of purchase or Brents-Riordan for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the company toll-free at (866) 835-6357 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.brentsinc.com

Contaminated pet food settlement leaves owners cold

"As far as the 'settlement,' I certainly hope it is, at a minimum, going to reimburse pet owners for the vet bills for the treatment of the sick and deceased pets," said Carol. V. of Rhode Island.

Her two cats -- Jessica and Smudge -- became gravely ill last year after eating Menu's Special Kitty food.

Jessica made a remarkable recovery, but the 15-year-old cat went back into renal failure last December. The family made the difficult decision to euthanize Jessica.

Carol isn't sure Menu's settlement will cover any of her vet bills. She didn't join any of the class action lawsuits filed against the company in the wake of its massive March 16, 2007, recall.

More here at Consumer Affairs.

Cabot Recalls Deck Cleaner for Inhalation and Fire Hazard

On April 2 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner

Units: About 24,000

Distributor: Cabot Stains (a division of Valspar Corp.), of Newburyport, Mass.

Hazard: One of the components of the composite cleaner can react with metal foil residue on the packaging, releasing heat and chlorine gas. This poses a fire and inhalation hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Cabot has received one report of the composite cleaner’s plastic container partially melting and emitting a chlorine odor. No injuries were reported.

Description: This recall involves the Cabot Composite Deck Cleaner #3502. The deck cleaner is a granular concentrate that, when mixed with water, is used to clean composite surfaces such as decks, railings, steps, fences and siding. It was sold in a 2-pound plastic container. The label on the container reads: “Cabot Composite Cleaner” and has number 3502 at the bottom of the front of the label.

Sold at: Home improvement centers and hardware stores nationwide from February 2007 through February 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to the store of purchase for a full refund. If the container looks deformed or if it feels hot to the touch, immediately call Cabot anytime to arrange for the safe handling of the product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cabot at (877) 755-3336, or visit the company’s Web site at www.cabotstain.com/recall (pdf)

Lock and Leash™ Locks recalled for lead paint violation

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

Name of Product: Lock and Leash™ Locks

Units: About 27,000

Importer: Master Lock, of Oak Creek, Wis.

Manufacturer: Fullyear-Brother Enterprise Co. Ltd, of Taiwan

Hazard: Red surface paint on the locks contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves red Lock and Leash™ locks with model number 1551D. The locks have a matching red coiled cable used to anchor items. Master Lock® is printed in white above the combination display. Other colors are not affected by this recall.

Sold at: Hardware stores and Internet retailers from March 2007 through January 2008 for about $8.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled locks and return them to Master Lock Company Return Goods c/o All in One Warehouse, 2050 North Smokey Lane, Suite B, Nogales, AZ 85621 for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Master Lock at (800) 464-2088 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT or visit the firm’s Web site at www.masterlock.com (pdf)

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