By Rita Colorito on June 21, 2012 in
Good thing the sun is staying out longer, because you won't want to turn on Bel Air Lighting outdoor wall mount lanterns or Thomas Lighting ceiling mounted light fixtures, which were recalled this week because they pose fire and shock hazards. You can also get burned by certain 2012-2013 BMW X5 and X6 vehicles: They can leak power steering fluid and possibly start an engine fire. Summer's also a great time to stroll with your little one, but beware if you use a Kolcraft Contours Option stroller, 36,000 of which were recalled because of finger amputation and laceration hazards. And before you put your space heater in summer storage, check to see if it's a Big Lots Portable Ceramic Heater, which were recalled because they can overheat and melt, making you more than a little toasty come winter. Ouch!
In consumer products
Kolcraft Enterprises recalled Contours Options 3- and 4-wheeler Strollers because the hinge mechanism used to adjust the handlebars on the strollers poses a finger amputation and laceration hazard to users and children. Kolcraft and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have received five reports of injuries involving the hinge mechanism, including reports of three children whose fingertips were amputated and two adults whose fingers were either smashed or lacerated. The recalled strollers were sold at juvenile product specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Target.com and ToysRUs.com from January 2006 and June 2012. Owners may contact Kolcraft at (800) 453-7673 to receive a free repair kit. For more information about the recalled strollers, read our review. If you are looking to upgrade your kid's ride, read our stroller report for ones that get top marks.
Bel Air Lighting recalled 99,700 Portland outdoor wall mount lanterns because of an electrical short circuit may pose fire, burn, and shock hazards. The firm has received seven reports of incidents, including two reports of lanterns catching fire. No injuries have been reported. The recalled lanterns were sold at Lowe's stores and Lowes.com under the Portfolio brand name with item number 253366 and at lighting showrooms nationwide with item number 44181, from June 2006 through May 2012. Consumers may contact Bel Air Lighting at (888) 770-7018 for a free replacement lantern.
Thomas Lighting recalled 28 styles of ceiling mounted light fixtures, some 84,000 units, because the fixture's socket wire insulation can degrade, leading to charged wires becoming exposed, causing electricity to pass to the metal canopy of the fixture. This poses a fire and electric shock hazard to consumers. The firm has received 11 reports of defective fixtures which resulted in the home's Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) tripping, though no injuries have been reported. The fixtures were sold through electrical distributors and lighting wholesalers nationwide from July 2010 through July 2011. Consumers may contact Thomas Lighting at (800) 764-0756 to arrange for a free in-home repair of the fixtures by a qualified electrician.
Big Lots recalled 70,500 Climate Keeper Portable Space Heater and Portable Oscillating Space Heater after four reports of the product overheating and melting. This could pose a fire or electric shock hazard, although there have been no reports of injury, fire or property damage. This recall involves two models of 1500 watt Climate Keeper ceramic heaters: Model #FH107A and Model #PTC-902T, which were sold at Big Lots stores nationwide from September 2010 through March 2012. Consumers may return the product to a Big Lots store for a full refund. Summer's a great time to get off-season winter heating products on discount. If you need a replacement space heater, check out our space heater report first to get the best bang for your buck.
In auto safety
BMW of North America recalled 2,642 2012-2013 X5 and X6 vehicles because a faulty steering gear surface may cause power steering fluid to leak and spray onto hot exhaust parts, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. BMW is expected to begin the safety recall and notify owners during July 2012, and dealers will replace the gear free of charge. Owners may contact BMW Customer Relations and Services at (800) 525-7417. Read the pros and cons of previous BMW X5 and X6 model years, neither of which made the cut for the best midsize SUVs.
Mercedes-Benz recalled 3,613 2007-2009 Mercedes E350 vehicles because a connecting rod for the load leveling rear suspension system may fail, potentially causing the driver to have reduced vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, with the safety recall expected to begin in August 2012, and dealers will replace the faulty level control connecting rod free of charge. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at (201) 573-0350.
In food safety
The following food items were recalled because of undeclared allergens:
- Hannaford Mini Frosted Cookies, undeclared egg allergen;
- Truitt Brothers, Pacific Northwest Premium Navy Beans, undeclared soy; and
- Antonelli's and Sons, Trader Joe's Apple Stuffed Chicken Breasts, undeclared milk, soy and MSG.
