It is an unusual day if there are not products being recalled because of their unreasonably dangerous risk as a fire hazard. One would think that fundamental product research and development would catch such problems before a manufacturer exposes consumers to dangers of fire without extreme cost or delay. The balance test between danger to the public and, on the other scale, cost and effort to avoid the risk is violated all too often, creating the need for continual recalls of such products. For every recall there are many unheralded stories of a fiery tragedy caused by defective products flying under the radar of federal regulators.
The law of products liability is designed to force duty on the manufacturer and a remedy for the injured consumer. http://www.bailey-law.com/lawyer-attorney-1215486.html
Some press releases of recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission are posted below:
1. Fire Hazard with Thermador® Built-In Ovens Leads to Recall by BSH Home Appliances Corp.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Thermador® Brand Built-In Ovens
Units: About 42,000
Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Hazard: The oven can have gaps in the insulation where overheating can occur and when used in the self-cleaning mode it can cause nearby cabinets to overheat. This can pose a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: BSH Home Appliances has received ten reports of incidents including one which resulted in a fire that caused extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Thermador® Brand built-in single ovens and combination models which have a conventional oven and a microwave. The model numbers of the single ovens are C271B, C301B, SEC271B and SEC301B. The model numbers of the combination models are SEM272B, SEM302B, SEMW272B and SEMW302B. The ovens have date codes between FD8403 and FD8701. The model number and date code can be found on the underside of the control panel.
2. The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Briggs & Stratton OHV Snow Thrower Engines
Units: About 480,000
Manufacturer: Briggs & Stratton Corp., of Wauwatosa, Wis.
Hazard: When the engines are primed, excess fuel can overflow into the carburetor and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Briggs & Stratton has received 48 reports of fire. There have been no reports of injury. The firm has received one report of minor property damage.
Description: The recall includes snow equipment with Briggs & Stratton OHV engines that have model numbers beginning with 12, 15, 20, or 21, and a date of manufacture (DOM) code between 000601xx and 070301xx. The engines were installed on the following brand snow throwers: Ariens, Canadiana, Craftsman, Frontier Equipment, Husqvarna, Poulan Pro, Simplicity and Snapper. The engine model number and DOM information are located on the cylinder shield or rocker cover. Call for more information about determining if your snow thrower engine is included in the recall.
Sold at: Various snow thrower dealers nationwide from June 2000 through February 2007 for between $630 and $2,350 for the snow thrower.
3. The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Stationary Natural Gas and Propane Fueled Generators
Units: About 3,300
Manufacturer: Cummins Power Generation Inc., of Fridley, Minn.
Hazard: The generator’s fuel shut-off valve can fail to close, resulting in a gas leak from the unit. This poses a risk of fire and burn injuries to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Cummins Power Generation has received one report that the fuel shut-off valve failed to close. No injuries or damages have been reported.
Description: The recall involves both commercial and residential model Cummins Power Generation gaseous-fueled stationary generator sets (fueled by propane or natural gas). They have the following model numbers listed on the generator nameplate which is located at the front base of the unit: commercial models GGDB, GGMA/B/C, and GNAA/B/C, and residential models RS15000, RS20000, and RS30000. These units also have serial number A050734102 through L068998479 and “Cummins Power Generation” listed on the generator nameplate.
Sold at: Cummins Power Generation’s authorized distributors and dealers nationwide and www.costco.com from January 2005 through February 2007 for a retail cost of between $8,000 to $25,000 (depending on the model, retail outlet, and date of purchase).
4. WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Gateway Lithium Ion Battery Packs
Units: About 14,000
Battery Distributor: Gateway Inc., of Irvine, Calif.
Hazard: These lithium-ion battery packs can overheat, which could pose a fire hazard to consumers. This is not an internal battery cell defect.
Incidents/Injuries: Gateway has received four reports of battery packs overheating, including minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled battery packs were shipped as the primary or spare battery pack for some Gateway 400VTX and 450ROG series notebooks, and are identified by part numbers: 6500760 or 6500761. The part number and “made by SMP” are printed on a label on the underside of the battery pack.
5. The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Polaris “Outlaw 525” ATVs
Units: About 930 units
Manufacturer: Polaris Industries Inc., of Medina, Minn.
Hazard: The recalled ATVs may have a loose fuel valve within the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak and pose a fire hazard to riders.
Incidents/Injuries: Polaris has received four reports of ATVs having a loose fuel valve. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves 2007 model year Polaris “Outlaw 525” ATVs. They are available in black or white.
Sold at: Polaris ATV dealers nationwide from January 2007 through May 2007 for $7,300.
