By Rita Colorito on November 16, 2012 in

As the weather outside turns frightful, check your home for these not-so-delightful fire hazards: American Honda portable generators; Powermate SX 5500 portable generators; Signature Command fireplaces and inserts; and LG electric ranges. Forget about getting toasty with a cup of Nequick hot chocolate. The powdered drink was recalled because of possible salmonella contamination. And air bag issues resulted in a small recall by General Motors, of its 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic vehicles, and a massive recall by Chrysler. Nearly 745,000 2002 to 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002 to 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles have airbags which may inadvertently deploy, posing an injury and crash risk.

Read on for the cold facts on these and other recalls:

Portable generators

If you're relying on a portable generator for heat, check that it's not one from the American Honda Motor Co, who recalled 150,600 portable generators because the fuel hose can leak, posing fire and burn hazards. The company has learned of four incidents of fuel leaking, though no injuries or fires. The recall involves Honda gasoline-powered portable generators with model number EU2000i and serial numbers EAAJ-2260273 through EAAJ-2485025, sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers, Camping World, Gander Mountain, Grainger, Hertz Rental, John Deere, National Pump & Compressor, Northern Tool, Scheels Sporting, Sportsman's Warehouse, Sunbelt Rentals, True Value, United Rentals, White Cap and Wholesale Sports store nationwide and online from October 2011 through September 2012. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled generators and contact the nearest Honda Power Equipment dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair. American Honda can be reached at (888) 888-3139 or through the recall link on their website.

Another portable generator to look for is the Powermate SX 5500 model number PM0125500. Some 7,700 of these generators sold exclusively at Home Depot from February 2012 through August 2012 have been recalled because gas can leak through the fuel filter, posing a fire hazard. The importer, Pramac America, has received 51 reports of the fuel filter leaking gas, though no fires or injuries. Consumers should stop using these recalled portable generators and contact Pramac America at (800) 445-1805 to receive a free repair kit.

Looking for a replacement portable generator? See who made our list of the top 4 best reviewed portable generators.

In other consumer products

LG Electronics recalled some 161,000 electric ranges after receiving 80 reports of incidents involving burners failing to turn off or the temperature setting increasing unexpectedly during use. No fires or injuries have been reported. The recall involves model numbers LRE30451, LRE30453, LRE30755, LRE30757, and LRE30955ST, sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Sears, and regional appliance retailers nationwide from January 2006 to June 2010. Consumers who experience either of the above scenarios with their LG range, should stop using it until it is repaired. Consumers may contact LG at (855) 400-4638 or through the public notices link on the firm's website to schedule a free in-home repair. If you need, or want, a new range in time for Thanksgiving dinner, check out our latest reviews of both electric and gas ranges.

Monessen Hearth Systems recalled 15,000 Signature Command fireplaces and inserts. A control component can prevent the unit from lighting though gas continues to flow, posing a fire hazard. This recall involves electronically controlled Majestic, Monessen and Vermont Castings direct-vent and B-vent gas fireplaces and inserts, sold at hearth dealers and distributors nationwide between October 2011 and October 2012. Consumers should stop using and turn off the fireplace using the master control switch, and should contact Monessen Hearth Systems Company at (877) 406-9180 or through the recall link on their website to arrange a free repair.

Bike Friday recalled 3,800 Tikit Folding Bicycles because the handlebar may break, posing a fall and injury hazard to the rider. The recalled bikes were sold at Bike Friday direct and dealers nationwide from January 2007 through September 2012. Consumers may contact Bike Friday at (800) 777-0258, or through the recall link at the firm's website to schedule a free repair. For a replacement bike, check out our latest reviews.

In auto recalls

Inadvertent airbag deployment led Chrsyler to issue a massive recall of 744,822 older model Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty vehicles. The recall involves 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated, posing a crash and injury risk. Chrysler will notify owners beginning in January 2013, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler at (800) 247-9753.

GM issued two recalls this week:

  • It recalled some 13,000 GM 2013 Cadillac XTS, vehicles manufactured from October 12, 2011, through August 30, 2012. The rear seat head restraints may not lock in the upright position after being folded forward, failing to meet vehicle safety standards, and posing the risk of a neck injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash. Owners may contact General Motors at (800) 458-8006.
  • GM also recalled nearly 3,000 2012 Buick Verano and Chevy Cruze and Sonic vehicles. The driver's frontal airbag on these vehicles may not deploy during a crash, increasing the driver's risk of injury. For this recall, owners may contact General Motors at (800) 521-7300.

Jaquar recalled 4,195 2010-2012 XF vehicles because the fuel flange may crack, which may lead to a fuel leak and possible vehicle fire Jaguar will notify owners, beginning on or before December 7, 2012, and dealers will replace the affected fuel tank fuel outlet flanges, free of charge. Owners may contact Jaguar at (800) 452-4827.

In food recalls

  • Frito-Lay, GRANDMA'S Peanut Butter Sandwich Crème cookies and GRANDMA'S Peanut Butter Mini Sandwich Crème cookies. undeclared milk and egg allergens;
  • Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean French Toast & Sausage Sandwich, undeclared egg and soy allergens;
  • Nestlé USA, limited quantities of Nestlé NESQUIK Chocolate Powder in the 10.9, 21.8 and 40.7 ounce canisters, possible salmonella contamination; and
  • Spence & Co, New York-Style Nova Lox, 4oz, Code/Lot: 9720704, possible listeria contamination.
Tags: Recalls

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