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Hewlett-Packard has recalled around 70,000 laptop batteries which can be used in both HP and Compaq makes.  The batteries can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to users. 

If your laptop model number is listed below, it may have shipped with an affected battery.  The batteries were also sold separately in retail stores.

The bar codes labels of the affected batteries are:

(^ can represent any letter or number)

The laptops were sold at computer and electronics stores nationwide, hp.com and hpshopping.com from August 2007  through March 2008 for between $500 and $3000.  The battery packs were sold for between $100 and $160 during this time as well, and were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately remove the recalled battery from their notebook computer and contact HP to request a free replacement.  The computers can still function without the battery, but you will be required to have the AC adapter plugged into a power source. Consumers should only use batteries obtained from HP or an authorized reseller.

For additional information, visit the HP Battery Replacement Program Web site at http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement or call (800) 889-2031 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Posted under Recalls

Fluke Corp. of Everett, Washington has voulentarily recalled 52,000 digital clamp meters.  The meters, which range in price from $150 and $375, can fail to give an appropriate voltage reading; this can lead to the operator falsely believing the electrical power is off, posing a shock, electrocution, or thermal burn hazard.  They were sold at hardware stores, wholesalers, and industrial distributors between January 2008 and February 2009.

This recall involves the model and serial numbers listed below. The model number may be followed by an “A.”  Serial numbers that begin with “S” or are followed by “R” are not included in the recall.  The below diagram shows where to check your meter for this information.

If you own a Fluke Meter that falls within the above serial numbers, immediatly discontinue use and contact Fluke for a free replacement.   For additional information, contact Fluke toll-free at (888) 983-5853 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit www.fluke.com/33Xrecall

Posted under Recalls

Refrigerators with more than just a Maytag name are being recalled.  Jenn-Air, Magic Chef and Amana are some of the other famous brand names that have an urgent recall notice after being linked to more than 40 fires.

Consumers can not return the refrigerators.  Instead, the company has agreed to provide for in-home repairs of all affected models.  Expect a busy telephone number, but consumers should call Maytag soon to see if their refrigerator is part of the recall.  A list of impacted models is below.  Units made between 2001 and 2004 are affected, but that’s the manufacturing, not the sales, date.  Call to be sure.

And while many recalls may be classed as a nuisance or minor risk, this Maytag refrigerator recall is already responsible for 16 fires causing measurable damage, including what the government called “extensive kitchen damage”.

The number to call Maytag any time is:  (866) 533-9817

Maytag refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not affected. Some that are can be found in this chart:

Maytag refrigerator recall model numbers

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Walkie-Talkies sold at Toys R Us recalled for burn hazard

If you started holiday shopping early this year, you may want to check the packaging if you bought a Cobra 2 way radio (what we used to call walkie-talkies) at Toys R Us.

The manufacturer and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are cooperating on a recall of 8,000 units of the cool looking toys (pictured left) because the rechargable batteries can leak and cause a chemical burn.

The great news is that no one has been hurt yet, so cheers to Cobra for moving fast on this recall.

How To Tell If Your Walkie-Talkie Is Recalled

The recall involves two-way radios with the 300 mah “CEL” batteries. The walkie talkie style radios are made of pink plastic and come in purple packaging. Product number PR191-2VP is located on the front of the packaging and on the label inside the battery compartment. The batteries are standard AAA Nickle Metal Hydride battery cells with a black wrapper with the battery name 300 mah (CEL) with the date code (TF or RF) on the battery itself.

Cobra asks that consumers stop using the radios and contact them for a free replacement and a 20% coupon on a new purchase.   Do not touch anything that has leaked from the battery, which is sound advice in almost all cases, come to think of it.

More information is available toll-free at (888) 252-9889 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

A Casper the Friendly Ghost outdoor figurine has been recalled two days before Halloween.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that the 3 inch high figure has unacceptable levels of lead. The figures were priced from $1 to $3 and sold for almost three years in a variety of stores.

The manufacturer, Coyne and Company, has agreed to a full refund or credit for any figures that are returned. You can call the company anytime at (800) 336-8666.

Be safe this Halloween. Don’t forget our post about Safe Trick or Treating Tips if you are taking a little one trick-or-treating on Friday.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Two years after we reported on a Leapfrog recall affecting children 6 months to 36 months of age, word now comes that the company has recalled 35,000 units of a video game system.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission says rechargable batteries and power sources for the company’s game system marketed under the Didj name can overheat.  Twelve reports of overheating have been reported to the company thus far resulting in at least one reported minor burn.

The recharging base and battery, made in China, should no longer be used.  Consumers can call Leapfrog toll-free at (800) 701-5327 for more information.

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

Almost every child in America between the ages of 4 and 12 participate in Halloween activities, says the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  The non-profit agency reports that 94 percent of children between those ages will trick-or-treat, attend parties or otherwise be involved during the holiday, which falls this year on a Friday.  The group released a list of tips today to help parents keep their children safe during the festivities.

Halloween Safety Tips - 10 Ways Parents Can Keep Children Safe

1. CHOOSE bright, flame-retardant costumes or add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags so children are easily seen in the dark.  Carry a glow stick or flashlight too.
2. PLAN a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.
3. NEVER send young children out alone. They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult. Older children should also travel in groups.
4. ALWAYS walk younger children to a house’s door while they are trick-or-treating.  Do not let them enter a home unless you are with them.
5. BE SURE children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
6. REVIEW basic pedestrian safety rules that children should use when walking to and from houses.  Even familiar routes look different at night, especially to young eyes.
7. CONSIDER organizing a home or community party as an alternative to “trick-or-treating.”
8. MAKE sure children know their home phone number and address in case you get separated. Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
9. TEACH children to say “NO!” or “This is not my mother/father” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat or leave with them.  Also teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.
10. REMIND children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement

The non-profit NCMEC has assisted law enforcement in recovering more than 120,000 children and takes a proactive role such as publishing these Halloween safety tips.  There was no word on how to protect children (or adult!) teeth from stale candy corn.

Posted under Safety

Heavy darts with projectile tips tossed in the air and burying deep into all but the most hardened dirt or grass were a popular game a generation ago.  They were called lawn darts, and they were fun until as Mom said, someone loses an eye.

That happened far too often, as did other injuries, and lawn darts were banned twenty years ago because they’re essentially little arrows with weighted shafts.

Two companies were apparently selling these as a deluxe family entertainment package for about sixty bucks.  If you bought one, you need to send them back for a refund.   Thanks to the CPSC jumping on this issue fast, refunds should be relatively easy to arrange.   Simply call the distributor toll free at (877) 374-8881 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. MT Monday through Friday.

Many recalls are for a potential hazard.  This one is for a very real hazard.  Unless you’ve got an archery range set up at your home, leave the flying darts alone because these particular beauties have a shaft that is more than one foot long.

Posted under Products, Recalls

As airlines try wringing every last nickel from passengers, word comes out now that JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU) will begin charging for blankets and pillows.

The airline that prided itself on comfy seats, television for each passenger and a glib, flippant employee style of service announced that the move would allow passengers to take home a blanket and pillow set plus receive a $5 coupon at Bed, Bath and Beyond, an online retailer our reviewer panned for being “amateurish” with shipping costs starting at $5.95 and a limited selection.

Oops.

We don’t have the answers on how airlines can stay solvent given current economic pressures, but we’re willing to bet that if passengers are turning up their nose at a $7 sandwich that a $7 pillow is not an effective way to cut costs.  Doing away with the blankets seems a sound idea.  Maybe JetBlue, which flies relatively short legs — all under 6 hours — can ignore settling consumers in for a long nap.

Posted under Travel

Passports for visiting Canada and Mexico, fees for checking luggage, fees for peanuts! What else will the travel industry and government throw at us? Your best defense against a stressful travel experience is preparation and patience. There are new government time-saving tips for summer travel for recent changes to ID requirements, baggage restrictions and security checkpoint procedures.

The good folks at the FCIC, you know them as sending out information from ‘Pueblo, Colorado’ have put together a wonderful resource that address all these issues. You can read Summer Travel Tips
at their site and even send the information to a friend.

The federal government takes much well deserved criticism for inefficiency. This agency, however, consistently gets the job done.

Posted under Travel