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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

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

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers that tainted baby formula traced to China is likely not being sold in mainstream stores within the U.S.

Baby formula from China reportedly includes a substance called melamine, the same substance found in tained pet food last year. More than 10,000 infants in Asia have become sick from contaminated formula, and officials report at least one case in Hong Kong.

The FDA, meanwhile, is urging U.S. residents who shop in Chinese or Asian markets to not purchase baby formula there.  The governement agency reported that inspections in 1,000 U.S. retail stores failed to detect a single case of tainted baby formula.

Posted under Health, Recalls, Safety

TTI Floorcare and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a recall of 987,000 Dirt Devil accessory tools, as pieces in the tools can break apart and be ejected towards users and bystanders. There have been 140 such incidents reported, with 12 injuries. This is the list of affected models, as provided by the CPSC.

TTI Floorcare says that consumers should contact them for a free repair kit at (800) 245-2296 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m., or at their website at www.dirtdevilturbotool.com

Posted under Recalls

Electra Bicycle Company has recalled 9,500 Amsterdam bicycles, models Classic 3, Original 3, Sport 3, and Royal 8. The bike’s chain guard can derail the bike chain, which can lead to injury. There have been four incidents reported, with one report of a fall. Consumers are urged to stop riding the bicycle and take it to an Electra Bicycle dealer for a free repair. For more information, contact Electra Bicycle at (800) 261-1644 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit their website at www.electrabike.com.

Electra Amsterdam Bike Recalled

Posted under Recalls