Furniture

Cabinet Heaters Corrected by Supersaving Heating Products NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 1984 Release # 84-014 CPSC Announces Cabinet Heater Correction Program Washington, D.C.-- In cooperation with the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Supersaving Heating Products, Inc., East Hampton, New York (representing Orbaiceta S.A., of Pamplona, Spain), announces a voluntary correction program affecting approximately 4,000 LP gas-fired "Super-Ser" cabinet heaters. The heaters were sold by independent retailers in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania for approximately $250. The cabinet heaters, which were sold between October 1979 and December 1981, are being used with 20 pound LP gas cylinders that are stored inside the cabinet. The LP gas cylinders were sold separate from the heaters. This program is being initiated due to a potential fire and explosion hazard that may occur because the pressure regulator on the heater is designed to vent gas into the environment under certain circumstances and the heater connector valve may leak gas if it is not properly secured. In addition, the LP gas cylinder being used with the heater is intended for use outdoors and may vent gas into the environment due to the expansion of gas if it is over-filled and then brought indoors. The Commission is aware of four fires involving the "Super-Ser" LP gas-fired cabinet heater. One incident resulted in first degree burns to the arm and face of the user. The remaining three incidents involved property damage only. The correction program consists of replacing the pressure regulator and connector valve at no charge to the consumer and making available to the consumer, at a reduced price, a new type of LP gas cylinder. Once the defective heater components have been replaced, the heater can no longer be used with the old fuel cylinder. The new cylinder has an internal float device that will reduce the potential for over-filling. Consumers should discontinue use of the heater until it has been corrected and a new cylinder has been obtained. Consumers should contact the retailer from whom the heater was purchased. The retailer will replace the defective components and will have a supply of the new type of cylinder. If the retailer can not be reached, does not have the replacement components, or does not have a supply of the new type of cylinder, consumers in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan should call Mr. Durfee collect at 419-531-6622. Consumers in Pennsylvania should call Mr. Craft collect at 814-938-9170. Anyone wishing additional information may call the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.

Saw Tables Repaired by Central Quality Industries NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 Note: Firm is out of business. Please destroy or discard this product. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued February 24, 1984, Revised August 18, 2003 Release # 84-012 Central Quality Industries Provided Blade Guards For Saw Tables Washington, D.C.-- Central Quality Industries, Polo, Illinois, in cooperation with the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced a program to provide free blade guards to owners of Central Quality Industries and Pow-R-Tool saw tables. These tables did not previously have a blade guard to help prevent finger and hand injuries. Saw tables sold after June 20, 1983, contained a blade guard. The firm has received 6 injury complaints, including 4 reports of finger amputation and 2 reports of finger lacerations associated with the use and operation of the saw tables without the blade guards. The saw tables are designed to hold a portable circular saw, sabre saw, and routers so that it can be used as a table saw. Approximately 166,304 saw tables have been distributed by the firm since the late 1950's under the brand name of "Central Quality Industries" and "Pow-R-Tool Table", which appears on the table top. The product has been sold nationwide and is available with a metal or plastic top, with or without legs, and retailed between $49.95 and $89.95. The firm is out of business and the remedy is no longer available. Please discard or destroy this product. Anyone wishing additional information may contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.

Entrapment

Entrapment

Choking

November 18, 1982Release #82-049 CPSC Warns Of Explosion Hazard with Fireplace-Powered Water Heaters Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers of an explosion hazard with certain fireplace-powered water heaters used to supplement home heating systems. Units involved were sold under the brand names "Hydrohearth," "Hydroplace," and "Aqua Grate." Manufacturers of these units - Ridgeway Steel Fabricators, Inc. of Ridgeway, Pennsylvania and Shark Manufacturing Corporation of Greenlawn, New York are no linger in business. These devices are made of tubular steel or steel plate and resemble a fireplace grate or liner. Plumbing connects the unit to the hot-water heating system of the home. When these is a fire in the fireplace, furnace heat is either supplemented or replaced entirely by heat generated through the fireplace. Slowing or stopping the flow of water through the unit (resulting from circulator pump failure, electrical power failure, or frozen pipes) may result in water in the unit boiling into steam. If the unit does not have an adequate pressure relief device, properly installed, the build-up of pressure can cause an explosion. CPSC urges consumers who have one of these units to have its installation checked by a qualified, licensed plumber who has specific knowledge of boilers, water pumps, pipe freezing problems, and pressure relief valves. Of particular importance is the location, pressure rating, and flow capacity of the safety valve. If there is no safety valve, have one installed with a pressure rating and flow capacity suitable for any type of fire. The safety valve should be installed in the outlet piping as near to the unit as possible without risking damage due to overheating. It should be oriented according to the valve manufacturer's recommendation to avoid safety valve clogging. The outlet pipe from the unit to the safety valve should contain no valves or other restrictions. The safety valve should be checked periodically by triggering it to be sure that it will relieve pressure. This should be done with caution, by a knowledgeable person, to avoid hot water scalding. Other fireplace-powered water heaters that contain built-in safety devices such as burst disks, fusible plugs, or blowout plugs, are not subject to this warning. Information on the devices involved and what owners of these devices should do can be obtained by calling the Commission's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC

Strangulation

Plastic Table Lamps Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 1981 Release # 81-029 Consumers Warned That Four Million Plastic Lamps May Pose Electrocution Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. ( Dec. 3 ) -- Three firms today alerted consumers that approximately four million plastic table lamps if misused or carelessly handled may pose a risk of eIectrocution or electrical shock. The warning was issued voluntarily in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission by A-Bee Syndicate, Inc., of New York, New York; B & D Molded Products, Inc., of Shelton, Connecticut; and Injection Corporation, of Plainfield, New Jersey. CPSC staff has identified these companies as manufacturers and distributors of the lamps according to definitions in the Consumer Product Safety Act. According to the firms, the lamps were designed and manufactured in conformity with existing industry practices. They could, however, pose a potential safety hazard if the lightbulb socket is dislodged or removed from the lamp base, thereby exposing two electrical terminals positioned on either side of the socket. The lamps consist of a black plastic base with three legs which supports a plastic shade covered with bubble-like protrusions. The shades were produced in three colors: white, lime-green and neon-orange. The lamps stand approximately 16 inches tall, and some were made with the name "A-Bee" on the smooth collar at the base of the shade. The lamps were sold nationwide for approximately $1 each in variety retail stores from 1965 through 1975, although the majority were distributed in the eastern half of the U.S. Some lamps may have been given away as promotional items. Consumers who own one of the lamps should take the following steps to determine if there is a safety hazard: Unplug the lamp; Remove the shade and turn the lamp upside down; Throw the lamp away if the bulb socket falls out of the base or is loose enough to expose the electrical terminals. Anyone requiring additional information about this warning should contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772. Warning Certain of the pictured table lamps may contain a potential electrocution or shock hazard. Each lamp consists of a black, plastic three-legged base supporting a plastic shade covered with bubble-like protrusions. The shades are available in white, neon-orange, and lime-green. The lamps were distributed from 1965 through April 1975 and sold for approximately $1.00. The lamps may often be identified through the name "A-BEE" which may be visible on the smooth collar on the base of the lamp's shade. If the lamp is titled or tipped, the bulb socket may dislodge from the lamp's base, thereby exposing two copper electrical terminals. Consumers should check to see if their lamp is one affected by talking the following steps: Unplug the Lamp Remove the shade from the lamp's base Turn the lamp upside down If a bulb socket works itself loose or falls out exposing the electrical terminals, the lamp should not be used. In certain of the affected table lamps, the bulb socket may not be securely fastened to the lamp's base or may have been able to work itself loose from the lamp's base. Consumers owning one of the affected lamps are warned to immediately stop use of the lamp and remove it form children's access.

Suffocation

Fall

Explosion/Projectiles

Entrapment; Strangulation