CPSC cites products that pose potential fire hazards
The following products have been determined to be potential fire and safety hazards and are being recalled by their manufacturers/distributors in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Extension cords. Distributed by D-M Sales Corp., doing business as Supreme Import Export Inc., of Brooklyn, New York–2,000 extension cords. The cord`s wires are undersized and cannot carry the same load as a properly constructed extension cord. They present fire, shock, and electrocution hazards. The cords are brown, nine feet, and are imprinted with “SPT-2- VW-1 18 AWGX2C E135675 403801-001.” The identification number (molded on the plug) is E109853. The cords were sold at wholesaler and discount stores nationwide from February 1993 to September 1996. Consumers should stop using them immediately and return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. For additional information, call D-M Sales Corp. at (800) 551-1113 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST. Consumers in the New York metropolitan areas should call (718) 499-5454.
Cigarette lighters. Approximately 110,000 refillable novelty and disposable lighters, distributed by NBO Group, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, California, do not comply with CPSC safety standards. They do not have safety devices that prevent young children from igniting them. Most are silver-, copper-, or gold-tone metal with relief figures of birds, dragons, crocodiles, and other
animals on the casing. They were sold individually or from display trays nationwide from September 1994 to March 1996 by all types of small retailers. Consumers should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information, contact Patty Pany of NBO Group at (800) 716-0100.
Oil-furnace heat exchangers. Some 2,100 oil furnace heat exchangers were included in 150,000- and 200,000-Btu oil furnaces manufactured by the Ducane Company of Columbia, South Carolina. The exchangers can crack. The furnaces have been distributed under the following brand names: American Standard, Bard, Bryant/Day & Night/Payne, Carrier, Ducane, Goodman/Janitrol/GMC, Heil/
Tempstar, Inter-City Products (Arcoaire, Comfortmaker), Lincoln Barriere, Nordyne (Miller/Intertherm), Quiet Automatic, and York. Heating and cooling contractors sold the furnaces nationwide from April 1994 to August 1996. Call the Ducane Company at (800) 600-4811 for additional details and instructions.
The CPSC also has warned that some older corrugated metal tubes used to connect home appliances to natural gas supply pipes could corrode and lead to a fire or an explosion. These connectors are used most often with gas ranges, ovens, and clothes dryers. According to the CPSC, there have been at least 200 reports that these connectors have failed. The failures have been associated with 35 deaths and 59 injuries. The CPSC is urging that people have their gas appliances inspected to see if they have one of these old, potentially dangerous connectors. The connectors are uncoated, brass connectors and have not been made for at least the past 10 years. The brass fittings that connect to the natural gas supply pipe and the appliance were soldered onto a corrugated brass tube. The CPSC recommends that a qualified professional replace immediately any uncoated brass connector with a new stainless-steel or plastic-coated brass connector.
Note: The CPSC warns consumers not to move their appliance to inspect the connectors. The weak, soldered connections might break, even if slightly moved for cleaning, and cause an explosion or a fire. n
