Fire Hazards:
1. Bath & Body Works Votive Candles
On March 18, 2004, the CPSC announced the recall of "Real Essence" votive candles manufactured by Bath & Body Works and The White Barn Candle Company of Columbus, Ohio. These votive candles can burn with a high flame or irregular flame posing a fire hazard to consumers.
The votive candles were sold individually and in sets. A label on the bottom of the votive candle reads: Real Essence 1 1/2 x 2 1/4". The specific recalled votive candles are: Rosewood Tea; Lilac Blossom; Vintage Leather; Brushed Suede; Warm Vanilla Sugar; Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin; Spiced Cider; and Amber Myrrh. These votive candles were also sold in a six-pack set: Lilac Blossom, Spiced Cider, and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin was sold in "the scented home quartet" set. This recall does not apply to any other Real Essence votive candles.
The votive candles were sold at Bath & Body Works and The White Barn Candle Company stores from March 2003 to February 2004.
To learn more, visit the Bath & Body Works' web site at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com; or view the CPSC press release at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04101.html.
2. Murray Lawn Tractors
On March 23, 2004, the CPSC announced the recall of Murray lawn tractors with remote-mounted fuel tanks manufactured by Murray, Inc. of Lawrenceburg, TN. The fuel tank can develop cracks allowing fuel to leak posing a fire hazard to consumers.
The recalled 40- and 42-inch cut lawn tractors come with a 1.4 gallon remote fuel tank, and they come in red and black or all black. The model number can be found on a nameplate located under the seat. Model numbers involved in the recall are: 40507X8, 40536X4, 405618X81, 42504X71, 42504X99, 42510, 42512X99, 42542X6, 42543X6, 425610X99, 425612X99, 42575X81.
The lawn tractors were sold at various lawn equipment retailers, including Home Depot, Central Tractor and the U.S. Army Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES).
To learn more, visit the Murray web site at http://www.murray.com/; or view the CPSC press release at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04102.html.
3. Fedders Window Air Conditioners with Electric Heat
On March 25, 2004, the CPSC announced the recall of window air conditioners with electric heat distributed by Fedders Corporation of Liberty Corner, New Jersey. The fan blade becomes blocked when operating in the heating mode, and could present a fire hazard.
The units included in the recall are 8,000 BTU window air conditioners with electric heat sold under the brand names and model numbers shown below. The model and serial number is located on the air conditioner cabinet near the bar code. The serial number of included units of the listed models begin with the following two letter code:
Brand Name Fedders
Model Number AEQ08F2E
Serial Number Begins With AR, AS, ER, MR, JP, KP
Brand Name Maytag
Model Number MEQ08F2E
Serial Number Begins With AR, AS, ER FR, KR, KP, LR, MP, MR
Brand Name Comfort-Aire
Model Number RED-81
Serial Number Begins With DR, ER, KP, KR, LP
The air conditioners were sold at major home centers and department stores, including the Home Depot and Wal-Mart, from January 2003 through February 2004.
For more information, visit the Fedders web site at www.fedders.com/safetyrecall.
4. Nikko America Radio-Control Toy Trucks
On April 13, 2004, the CPSC announced the recall of radio-control toy trucks manufactured by Nikko America, Inc. of Plano, Texas. A problem with the circuit board causes the toy truck to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard.
The toy trucks are 1/10 scale models (approximately 18 inches in length) of the Chevy Avalanche (model 100021A), the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (model 100022A and 100022B), the Hummer Wagon (model 100023A and 100023B) and the Ford F150 (model 100024A and 100024B). Model numbers can be found on the body of the truck, along with the vehicle made and model names.
The toy trucks were sold at major toy and discount department stores nationwide from July 2003 through February 2004.
To learn more, visit the Nikko America, Inc.’s web site at www.nikkoamerica.com; or view the CPSC press release at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04117.html.
5. Trane and American Standard Accessory Electric Heaters
On April 20, 2004, the CPSC announced the recall of “Trane” and “American Standard” brand accessory electric heaters manufactured by American Standard Companies of Piscataway, NJ. Overheating of the wiring in the accessory heater can lead to wall thermostat fires.
The 240-volt accessory heaters are used to provide supplemental heat in the heat pump or electric heating system. The accessory heater, model number BAYHTR1415BRKAC, is located inside the air handler cabinet usually found in the basement, attic, equipment closet or crawlspace of the home. The horizontally or vertically installed air handler is a painted metal cabinet with the Trane or American Standard nameplate on its front. Air handler model numbers are found on the outside of the air handler door.
Consumers who had a Trane or American Standard heat pump or electric heating system installed between April, 2003 and February, 2004, should write down the air handler model number and call their installer, or they may visit the American Standard and Trane web sites at www.americanstandardair.com and www.trane.com, or view the CPSC press release at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04122.html.
Worker Injury Hazards:
1. Murray Lawn Mowers and Lawn Tractors
On March 23, 2004, the CPSC announced the recall of Murray lawn mowers, lawn tractors and garden tractors manufactured by Murray, Inc. of Lawrenceburg, TN. Plastic components can crack if they are struck by an object thrown from the blade, and the objects can be ejected from the mower hitting the user.
The recall includes certain 20-, 21-, and 22-inch walk-behind lawn mowers; certain 30-inch mid-engine riding lawn mowers; certain 38-, 40-, 42-, and 46-inch lawn tractors; and certain 46-inch garden tractors. They are red, black or gray, and "Murray" is written on the body of the mowers. The model number can be found on the unit's nameplate located under the seat of the lawn tractors and at the rear of the mower housing on the walk-behind mowers. The following model numbers are included in the recall: 309029X92, 387002X92, 405000X8, 425620X92, 425001X8, 425014X92, 425015X92, 461004X92, 465306X8, 201010X18, 20112X92, 218950X92, 22265X8, 223310X8, 224110X8, 225113X92, 226111X92. These machines were sold at Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Northern Tool from November 2003 through February 2004.
For more information, view the Murray web site at www.murray.com, or view the CPSC press release at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04103.html.
2. Shindaiwa Hedge Trimmers
On April 15, 2004, the CPSC announced the recall of gasoline-powered professional hedge trimmers manufactured by Shindaiwa, Inc. of Tualatin, OR. The muffler’s retaining bolts can allow the muffler to come loose from the engine while the hedge trimmer is in operation, and the loose muffler can contact and damage the fuel tank creating a fire hazard.
The recall includes all double-sided professional hedge trimmer models DH 231 and HT 231 with serial numbers up to 110000. The serial numbers are printed on a nameplate on the engine cover. The 30-inch and 40-inch hedge trimmers have red engine covers, a red fuel cap and a label on the recoil starter that reads “Professional Shindaiwa.”
The trimmers were sold at Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from January 2001 through November 2003.
For more information, contact Shindaiwa toll-free at 800-521-7733 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or view the CPSC press release at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04121.html.
