According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hundreds of everyday items found in the home will be recalled just this year alone. How do you know if any of these products are in your home? What do you do if you do own a product that has been recalled? What popular products have been recalled in the past year?

These are important questions that “Shop Cop” and consumer reporter Jennifer Litwin is helping consumers answer to insure that their homes are as safe as possible. She offers these tips:

  • Before making a major household purchase, check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to be sure that this item has not been recalled.
  • If you find that you do own a product on the recall list, contact the manufacturer immediately and have your product identification number handy when calling.
  • Register for all product warranties immediately. This is also how a manufacturer can get in touch with you if the product is recalled.
  • For major ticket purchases or more expensive children’s toys, look up the name of the manufacturer before buying the item.
    Following are some popular products that have been recalled recently, along with suggestions:

  1. Maytag and Jenn-Air brand dishwashers. 2.3 million units were recalled in February, ’07. Hazard: Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser and come into contact with the dishwasher’s internal wiring which can short-circuit and ignite, posing a fire hazard. 135 reports of dishwasher fires, resulting in product damage. 4 injuries reported. Products were sold between 1997 and 2001 for between $370-800. Hot line for recalls: 800-675-0535. Remedy: Stop using item right away, get $75 cash back towards a new dishwasher by Maytag or Jenn-Air, or a free in-home repair. http://www.repair.maytag.com/.
  2. IKEA’s Lycksele Chair Bed and Sofa Bed. 100,000 units recalled so far. Hazard: Fingers can become caught in the folding mechanism of the chair bed/sofa bed, posing a laceration and/or amputation hazard. One person was left with an amputated finger tip. These items were sold before 2005. Remedy: Consumers who have a Lycksele chair bed or sofa bed date stamped 0526 or earlier and which is missing safety covers for the folding mechanism should call or visit their local IKEA store to receive free safety covers. These chairs were sold with safety covers after 2005. http://www.ikea-usa.com/. Hot Line: 888-966-4532.
  3. Graco Contempo Highchairs. 100,000 units being recalled. Hazard: can collapse if they are not fully opened and locked into place from the storage position. 18 reports of the chair collapsing and hurting the child. Chairs sold between December 2005 and December 2006 for between $100-130 at retailers nationwide. Remedy: Contact Graco for a free repair kit. http://www.gracobaby.com/. Hot line: 877-445-1312.
  4. Black & Decker Brand Thermal Coffeemaker. 420,000 units being recalled. Hazard: The coffeemaker may not turn off as programmed, causing the unit to overheat and melt, and posing a risk of fire and burn injury. 14 reports of the coffeemakers overheating, causing either minor burns or property damage to kitchen cabinets, countertops and floors. Sold at retailers between March 2004-April 2006 for about $40. Remedy: Consumers should top using the product immediately and contact Applica for instructions on receiving a replacement Black & Decker Brand household product. http://www.acprecall.com/. Hot Line: 800-239-7145
  5. Sony, Gateway, Dell, Lenovo, IBM Notebook Computer Batteries. Several million batteries being recalled. Product name: Rechargeable, lithium ion batteries. Hazard: The lithium ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Several reports of notebook computer batteries overheating, causing minor property damage and minor burns. Sold roughly from 2004 through October 2006. Batteries sold for between $75-200. Remedy: Consumers should remove the affected batteries from notebook computers until they contact their computer manufacturer and receive further instructions. Batteries will be replaced free of charge. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06271.html.
  6. Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-Cup Coffee Brewers. About 73,000 units being recalled. Hazard: The coffee brewer has defective electrical wiring that can result in overheating, smoking, burning and melting, posing a possible fire hazard. 23 reports of melting in the plastic housing of the brewers. Sold between March 2005 and September 2006 for about $100. Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled coffee brewers immediately and contact Starbucks for a full refund. Doesn’t apply to its 12-cup version. Hot line: 800-453-1047. http://www.starbucks.com/.
  7. Land of Nod Antique White Furniture from the Cottage Collection. About 2,000 units being recalled. Some of the furniture being recalled contains paint with high levels of lead. Hazard: Lead paint is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. No injuries reported yet. Sold between September 2003-August 2006 for between $50-1,100. Remedy: Consumers should contact the Land of Nod immediately to determine whether their furniture is included. If included in this recall, stop using the furniture immediately and contact the Land of Nod for an exchange, credit or refund, and a gift card towards future purchases. Hot line: 866-990-5263 or e-mail at recall@landofnod.com.
  8. Hasbro Easy-Bake Ovens. About 985,000 units being recalled. Hazard: Young children can insert their hands into the oven’s opening and get their hands or fingers caught, posing an entrapment and burn hazard. Injuries: 29 reports of children getting their hands or fingers caught in the oven’s opening, including 5 reports of burns. This recall only includes ovens sold after May 2006. Sold at retailers nationwide between May 2006 and February 2007 for about $25. Remedy: Consumers should contact Easy-Bake anytime to receive a free retrofit kit with consumer warning. Keep the oven away from children under 8. Hot line: 800-601-8418. http://www.easybake.com/.
  9. Playskool Team Talkin’ Tool Bench. 255,000 recalled units. Hazard: Oversized plastic toy nails sold with the tool bench toys became forcefully lodged in 2 toddlers’ throats, killing them. Sold in stores nationwide between October 2005 and September 2006 for about $35. Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the two toy nails away from children and contact Playskool to get info on returning the nails for a $50 certificate for a Playskool (or related companies’) product. Hot Line: 800-509-9554. http://www.hasbro.com/.
  10. Conair Curling Irons. About 322,000 recalled. Hazard: The handle of the curling iron can come apart, exposing its line cord, posing a shock or electrocution hazard. Sold in January 2006 for about $25 in retailers nationwide. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Conair to receive a free replacement. Hot Line: 800-687-6916. www.conair.com/ironrecall.html.

Related posts:

  1. Safe Shopping
  2. Chicago Sun-Times — Safe Shopping
  3. Sun-Sentinel — Product recalls in your house