Technology Gadgets Food Toys Fun and Games

Link: http://www.abcactionnews.com/content/news/breakingnews/story/Transportation-Secretary-advises-owners-of/fwSFz7GLA0mhYAVxIIZPjQ.cspx

This just in - if you own one of the affected Toyota models - STOP driving it until you can get it repaired.

Hey - you finally have a good excuse to tell your boss why you can't come in tomorrow

WASHINGTON -- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is advising owners of recalled Toyotas to stop driving them and to seek repair.

LaHood said earlier that he planned to speak with Toyota's president about the automaker's spate of recalls in the United States over gas pedal problems.

Time to get that bike out of the garage eh? - This is the only time I've ever thought " man I'm glad I drive a Ford"

Link: http://consumerist.com/2010/01/boars-head-dietz-watson-daniele-salami-recalled-for-salmonella.html

If you have any of these brands of Salami - Throw it out.

Last week, 1.2 million pounds of various cured meats made by Rhode Island's Daniele International but sold under different names were recalled due to possible salmonella poisoning. Labels the affected meats were sold under include Daniele, Dietz & Watson, Black Bear of the Black Forest, and Boar's Head.

On the bright side - phew, at least it wasn't bacon.

The first ones a beef recall and it only affects customers who may have eaten at Moe's, Carino's Italian Grill, and KRM restaurants

If you've eaten there recently and feel sick, you may have problems....

Also there's yet another Tylenol recall

the company is recalling all product lots of the Arthritis Pain Caplets 100-count bottles with the red "ez-open" cap.

If you've eaten out - feel sick and took a Tylenol... well, it's been nice knowing you - don't forget me in your will !

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10046.html

If you've got little ones in a crib you've probably heard of this but if you haven't you need to check and see if your crib is on the list.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, today announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. The recall involves approximately 1,213,000 units distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10033.html

Have a Stroller? Is it a Maclaren? Do your kid a favor and go read the recall notice. Seems there's been a number of amputated fingers.

Hazard: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Link: http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2009/11/09/nokia-recall-14-million-chargers-to-be-exchanged/

With 14 million chargers being recalled, there's a good chance you or someone you know has one.

There are no incidents or injuries as of yet but they are taking precautionary measures just in case, Nokia said BYD would cover all costs from replacement. Apparently and according to Nokia the plastic covers of the chargers that are affected could possibly come loose and separate, which will expose the charger’s internal components and this could lead to an electric shock.

The affected chargers that were manufactured between June 15, 2009 and August 9, 2009 include models types AC -3U and AC-3E, those manufactured between April 13, 2009 and October 25, 2009 are model type AC-4U.

It's not as severe as some warnings - heck, with a little duct tape you could probably fix it just fine - just giving you all a heads up.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10027.html

Product Types Using the AC Adapters
All-in-one VAIO Desktop Computers
VAIO Docking Stations V

Product Models Using the AC Adapters
VGC-LT series and VGC-JS2 series
GP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1

If you've got one of the above products or models - schlepp on over to the Sony site and get the adapter replaced...

Name of Product: Sony VAIO Computer AC Adapters

Units: About 69,000

Manufacturer: Sony Electronics Inc. of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: Insulation inside the AC adapter can fail over time, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers.

Link: http://tylenol.com/?s_kwcid=tylenol%20recall

Read up if you've got any of this stuff in the house - the link will take you to lot numbers and brands... be safe!

You may have heard that McNeil Consumer Healthcare (the makers of TYLENOL®) is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products that were manufactured between April, 2008 and June, 2008. All products manufactured met internal specifications. However, the company is implementing this recall because during this period, an unused portion of one inactive ingredient did not meet all quality standards. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, it was decided to recall all Children's and Infants' TYLENOL® liquid products listed below, which were made during this time.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09322.html

Hey, if you own a Maytag Refrigerator - check the list...

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 23 additional reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 4 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from September 2000 through May 2004 for between about $350 and $1,600.

Link: http://www.wfsb.com/news/19767165/detail.html

Hey - if you use this crud listen up,

Consumers should stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel and related products because they can permanently damage the sense of smell, federal health regulators said Tuesday.

The over-the-counter products contain zinc, an ingredient scientists say may damage nerves in the nose needed for smell.

Unless you think this is a benefit I'd throw the stuff out - it's maybe kinda important to be able to smell things.

What ticks me off - and don't even get me started on "homeopathic" cures is that the manufacturer does not care.

A warning letter issued to manufacturer Matrixx Initiatives on Tuesday asked the company to stop marketing its zinc-based products, but the agency did not issue a formal recall.

Link: http://www.dailytech.com/Samsung+Issues+Recall+for+Jitterbug+Phone/article15253c.htm

For those of you that might have missed this - The Jitterbug phone is a really simple cell phone targeted at older people.

It's got an issue where if you are out of range of it's provider the phone will go into out of service area mode and might block dialing 911.

The way it should work is that 911 will go across anyone's network no matter what the provider...

Anyway if you or someone you know has this phone take it into the store where you bought it and get it updated.

Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10241137-92.html

Listen up if you own a newer HP or Compaq Laptop....

After two reports of flaming laptop batteries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Thursday that Hewlett-Packard is voluntarily recalling 70,000 lithium-ion batteries that shipped with several models of its HP and Compaq laptops.

The recall affects nine models of HP Pavilions, nine models of Compaq Presarios, two models of HPs, and one HP Compaq laptop model sold between August 2007 and March 2008. For the full list, see the CPSC's site.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09184.html

I know a lot of Geeks - myself included are Coffee fans ... um, and Jolt and Red Bull and No Doz... I digress.

Before brewing up that next batch just check your model to see if it's not gonna burn you out of house and home eh?

Name of Product: Signature Gourmet™ 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemakers and Kitchen Gourmet® 10-Cup Coffeemakers

They were sold only at Walgreens.

The link goes to the CPSC details...

Incidents/Injuries: Atico International USA, Inc. has received 23 reports of coffeemakers igniting, resulting in property damage.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09183.html

If you bought one of these bad boys from Best Buy, turn it off... unplug it and bring it back. No one wants a house fire.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09145.html

This is rather huge - which is why it got first post - Read up if you have a Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerator.

They can catch fire - Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

The link has all the models affected - a phone number to call and some other items of import - do yourself a favor and check your fridge.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09724.html

This is relatively important for you LG 830 owners, seems some models have a problem staying connected while dialing 911. The recall is to upgrade the firmware on the unit to address the issue.

Read the recall notice and if you are affected go to your dealer and get the fix. You might be thankful some day in the future.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09105.html

Milestone AV Technologies Recalls Television Wall Mounts Sold Exclusively At Best Buy; Unit Can Crack, TV Can Fall On Consumers....

Read the article for info -

really who cares about consumers??? it might break your new TV!!!!

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09100.html

All Siemens jokes aside - take a look on the front of your dishwasher and compare the model numbers against the list linked. There's a fire hazard with these puppies ... and no one likes an un planned dishwasher fire.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09044.htmlv

Cobra Electronics Recalls Children’s Two-Way Radios with Rechargeable Batteries Due to Chemical Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively in Toys “R” Us Stores

Read up if you think you are affected, and take the radios (or walkee talkees if you are old enough) away.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09019.html

the Rage Wireless Guitar controller is designed to be used on the Nintendo Wii system. The guitar is blue or white and is 31 inches long. The guitar contains battery-operated LED-lighted fret buttons that go up the neck of the guitar.

There's been about 57,000 of these sold so if you have one follow the link for details.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09012.html

Listen up!

If you bought a Battery Operated Toy “Speed Boat" from Dollar General from March 2008 through July 2008.. throw the puppy out - that is if there is any possibility something from the dollar store worked for more than 2 days.

Hazard: The two battery terminals can come into contact with each other, causing the battery to overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09010.html

Hey if you've got a GN9120 Wireless Headset - get a refund....

GN Netcom has received 10 reports of incidents involving overheating, including three reports of open flames and property damage to furniture on which the headsets were resting. An additional 37 reports of overheating, three reports of open flames and one report of second degree burns, requiring medical attention.

Full details in the link.

Link: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08395.html

Name of Product: “Protocol” Remote-Controlled Mini Helicopter Toys

Units: About 78,000

Importer: Ashley Collection Inc., d.b.a. Protocol, of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The rechargeable battery inside the helicopter can overheat. This can result in the helicopter’s body melting, as well as a risk of fire or burns to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received nine reports of incidents of the helicopter overheating, including one minor burn to a consumer’s fingertip.

Read the article check your chopper - rinse and repeat.

ooh I forgot lather.

Link: http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=341

Own a VAIO ? check the recall list.Apparently due to some badly positioned wiring there is a fire / burn hazard.

More info from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission here. Consumers owning one of these laptops are advised to stop using it and call (888) 526-6219 or go to sony.com/support to determine if their computers are included in the recall