CPSC Issues New Warnings And Alerts

[Michael Brown]

January and February saw a number of new warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that should interest home inspectors.

On January 27th CPSC issued an alert (#04-069) warning consumers about the hazards of heaters and fireplaces. This latest alert was prompted by the fact that, so far this heating season, heaters and fireplaces have caused at least 51 deaths. Additional information is available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04069.html

On January 28th CPSC issued an alert (#04-072) warning consumers about a recall involving swimming pool filters made by Sta-Rite Industries. According to the CPSC report, a locking ring the secures the two halves of the filter shell together can disengage and allow the top shell of the filter to blow off and injure someone. Additional information is available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04072.html

On February 3rd, CPSC issued an alert (#04-075) warning consumers about a recall involving Fuji brand 3-volt lithium batteries provided with the Dorcy Spyder Tactical Xenon flashlight. According to CPSC, the batteries may overheat, leak, or rupture, presenting a potential fire and injury hazard. Additional information is available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04075.html

On February 11th, CPSC issued an alert (#04-082) warning consumers about a recall involving 11,000 Progress Lighting brand fluorescent bathroom lighting fixtures. According to CPSC, the fixtures can overheat, causing the fixture to melt or burn, thus presenting a fire hazard. Additional information is available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04082.html

On February 12th, CPSC issued an alert (#04-083) warning consumers about a recall of a drop-in electrical floor box manufactured by Lamson & Sessions Inc. According to CPSC, these boxes were sold at Home Depot from December 2003 through January 2004 for about $30, are manufactured in China and contain undersized wires and are wired with reversed polarity. Additional information is available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04083.html

Check out ourother news items or visit our forums.