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Studio RTA of Pico Rivera, California, has recalled 6,700 “Silhouette” TV stands, models 403650 and 404191. These stands, sold at Boskov and Shopko stores, do not meet standards for preventing the TV tipping over, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). No injuries have been reported.

The CPSS says that consumers should remove the TV from the stand and contact Studio RTA for a free repair kit. They can be reached by phone at (888) 309-0299 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or on the web at www.studiorta.com.

Posted under Recalls

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents and caregivers about the dangers of televisions and heavy furniture tipping over and killing young children. The number of TV tip-over deaths reported to CPSC during the first seven months of 2006 is twice the typical yearly average.

“There are usually five deaths reported to CPSC each year caused by televisions tipping over onto young children, but we are aware of 10 deaths already in 2006,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “We are issuing this warning so parents will take the necessary steps to prevent any more of these tragedies.”

These deaths and injuries frequently occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks and chests. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.

From 2000 through 2005, CPSC has reports of 36 TV tip-over-related deaths and 65 furniture tip-over deaths. More than 80 percent of all these deaths involved young children. Additionally, CPSC estimates that in 2005 at least 3,000 children younger than 5 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TV tip-overs.

Industry standards require that TV stands, chests, bureaus and dressers pass a stability test. If a piece of furniture violates these standards, the product can be subject to a safety recall.

To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:

• Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach to the wall all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving and bureaus to the wall using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws, or toggles.
• Place televisions on sturdy furniture appropriate for the size of the TV or on a low-rise basPush the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand
• Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach, and teach children not to play with the cords
• Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture.

To download CPSC’s new safety alert “Preventing TV and Furniture Tip-Over Deaths,” visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5004.pdf

Posted under Safety

Buried in the United Senate’s budget bill that narrowly passed this week was a requirement that television broadcasters switch from analog to digital signals by early 2009.

Consumers with older television sets are expected to benefit from $1.5 billion that has been earmarked to help offset the cost of new televisions. Media sources report that satellite or digital cable subscribers will be unaffected.

Despite the huge amount of funds available under the proposed program (which still must be approved by the House of Representatives), consumer advocates are hopping mad.

“The consumer compensation program established in this program is unworkable, unfair and unacceptable to consumers,” said Jeannine Kenney of Consumers Union. “It provides only a fraction of the funds needed to compensate consumers for the costs of a digital transition they never asked for. And by requiring consumers to jump through restrictive hoops to request vouchers, those who most need compensation will be the least likely to receive it.”

According to Consumers Union, more than $2 billion extra will be required for all Americans to switch to the new digital signals, even by 2009.

Posted under Products

Two weeks ago, Consumer Help Web published an entry about FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s call for a la carte cable television pricing. It turns out that Martin’s agency may not have the authority to do anything.

According to a story in today’s Washington Post, FCC spokesperson Donna Gregg told a Media Institute gathering that the agency is studing whether it has the authority to compel change.

Gregg’s comments follow a rather weak statement made Monday by Martin, who said, “I am pleased that some cable companies may respond to consumer demand and begin to voluntarily offer family tiers.”

If “family tiers” seems at odds with “a la carte”, you are not alone. It strikes us that way too.

Posted under Products

Federal Communications Chairman Kevin Martin, whose term expires in June, raised eyebrows across the nation today when a Wall Street Journal report said he would take on the cable indstry’s pricing practices. According to the paper, Martin would tell a Senate panel today that selling cable television by channel rather than in bundles “could be economically feasible and in consumers’ best interests”.

Known as a la carte pricing, the methodology is rejected by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. That trade group’s web site states, “In November of 2004, the FCC issued a report that found that “government intervention through a la carte regulation likely will hurt MPVDs (multichannel video programming distributors), program networks, and especially MVPD subscribers.” This report followed on the Government Accountability Office findings in 2003 that a la carte could result in higher prices for fewer channels.”

Martin’s comments do apparently contradict those studies, including the one led by then-chairman Powell in 2004. The FCC does not have authority to mandate pricing and can only advise in such matters.

Posted under Products