Recalls of the Week

Been busy here at work so haven’t had time the last week or so to update on recalls. Here are some of the more significant ones over the last 2 weeks.
1.Valero Energy Corp recalls Propane Tanks: Almost 1,000,000 barrels of propane (LP) gas is being recalled because the propane may not have enough of the odorant added to it so people can smell a leaking gas situation. Failure to detect the leak can lead to a fire, explosion or thermal burn hazard. If you live in Alabama (where I am), Arkansas, California, Mississippi or Tennessee and brought propane gas between January and October 2008, you need to go here and see if your retailer is on this list. If so, you should immediately contact your supplier so they can test and see if you have enough odorant.
2. Kidde Fire Extinguishers: Approximately 167,000 of the Kidde XL Fire Extinguishers sold at various department, home and hardware stores between October 2007 and April 2008 are being recalled because it can lose pressure so that if you have to use it, it could fail and be useless. For information regarding the specific models involved see here. If you have one of these extinguishers, you should inspect it immediately and if the pressure gauge is in the red zone, contact Kidde to receive a free replacement.
3. Maytag Refrigerators: This is a big recall. About 1.6 million Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag brand fridges are being recalled as an electrical failure in the component that turns on the compressor can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard. So far, Maytag has received 41 reports of ignition. It includes both side by side and top freezer refrigerators. Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in the recall. For the affected models and serial numbers, see here. The products were sold in Department and appliance stores between January 2001 through January 2004. If you have one of the refrigerators, you need to contact Maytag immediately to schedule an in-home repair.
4. Bowflex Home Gyms: This is something near and dear to my heart since I am a big promoter and believer in physical fitness i.e. working out, and although I do mine at the local Y, I have always been impressed with the infomercials about the Bowflex. If I ever was going to do the home gym thing, it would probably be up there as a product to consider. Well the Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym is being recalled because the seat that stays latched in a vertical position for storage, if not properly latched, can fall on a bystander. So far, the manufacturer has received 18 reports of related injuries including head and shoulder lacerations. The problem gyms were sold between June 2005 and January 2009. Registered owners are being sent a repair kit and if you don’t receive the kit by March 10, you should contact Nautilus, the manufacturer. For more information on this recall, see here.
5. Nordstrom’s Girl’s Shoes: I put this one in as it is further evidence how the lead paint issue goes way beyond paint and toys. Now we have it in our shoes. Just today, Nordstrom issued a recall of about 31,000 of its Nordstrom brand girl’s shoes. They include the “Clarice-Fab”, the “Eva-Fab”, the “Fern-Fab”, the Lilly-Fab”, the “Rita-Fab” and the “Viva-Fab”. All shoes have the “NORDSTROM” name printed on the insole. The surface paint on the outer sole of these shoes contain excessive level of lead. The shoes were sold at Nordstrom from September 2006 through February 2009. For more specific information regarding the styles and colors involved in the recall, see here. If you have one of these pairs of shoes, you should immediately take them away from your children and return them to Nordstrom for a refund or exchange. Tell them…”I’ll have mine without the lead please”.
These are some of the more significant recalls over the past week or so. You are welcome to contact me with any questions or thoughts. In the meantime, be careful out there.