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Monday, August 26, 2002

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Juice extractors

Aroma Housewares Co. is recalling about 117,000 more juice extractors or juicers. The juicer's filter and lid can break apart and project metal and plastic into the air, causing injuries to consumers.

The firm previously recalled 40,000 juicers in June 1999. This recall includes redesigned juicers used as replacements for the original recall.

Aroma Housewares has received two additional reports of the redesigned juicer's filter and lid breaking apart, resulting in two consumers suffering minor injuries. There have been 32 reports of the original juicer breaking, and 32 reports of injuries. Seven of these injuries required stitches and one required surgery for lacerated arteries.

All model ACJ-250 Aroma Juice Extractors are included in the recall. "ACJ-250" and "MADE IN CHINA" are written on the bottom of the juicer on a silver label. The juice extractor is made of white and clear plastic and has a metal filter. "Aroma" is printed on the front of the unit.

Discount specialty and department stores sold the recalled juice extractors from March 1996 through July 2002 for about $25.

Consumers should stop using the recalled juice extractors immediately, and call the company for information on receiving a refund. Even if consumers previously received a replacement juicer as part of the original recall, they should contact Aroma Housewares for refunds. Consumers should call Aroma Housewares at 1-800-276-6286 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

'Smatter' spray foam

Jakks Pacific Inc. is recalling about approximately 296,000 cans of its aerosol "Smatter" spray foam. If the pressurized can is left in a hot automobile, it can forcefully break apart and cause injury to a nearby consumer.

Only early production of spray foam with the date codes "0492PT" to "0952PT" stamped on the bottom of the can is involved in this recall. "Smatter" is an aerosol product that sprays a soft foam material from the can when the nozzle is pushed. The product is generally used at parties, celebrations or games. The spray foam is sold in three different varieties: "Original Smatter," "Spit Smatter" and "Fatter Smatter." "SMATTER" appears in large print on the can and on the cardboard packaging. "Nickelodeon" is written on the orange handle. "Made in China" is written on the back of the product.

Discount department and toy stores sold the recalled "Smatter" products nationwide from February through June 5 for about $10.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled "Smatter" away from children and contact Jakks Pacific Inc. at 1-800-554-5516 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, for information on receiving a free replacement "Smatter" product. Consumers also may visit the firm's Web site at www.jakkspacific.com.

Hair dryers

Remington Products Co. LLC again is announcing the recall of about 3,000 hair dryers. These hair dryers are not equipped with an appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI) plug to cut off electrical current in case of contact with water. If dropped in water, the hair dryers pose an electrocution hazard to consumers.

This recall was originally announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC and Remington on March 21, 2001.

The 1600-watt hair dryers have a chrome body, with black speed and heat controls. The model name, "Remington Vortex Ultra," is printed in black on one side of the air intake grill; with the model number, V-1030, and the words, "Do Not Immerse In Water" and "Made in China" printed in silver on the other side. The hair dryers have a UPC number of 0-74590-87541-6, which is located on the packaging box.

The recalled hair dryers were sold nationwide in K-Mart; Sears; Target; Bed, Bath & Beyond; K's Merchandise; Service Merchandise; Eckerd; Army and Air Force exchanges; and other retailers from July 2000 through January 2001 for between $18 to $25. Consumers should stop using the hair dryers immediately.

Owners of the recalled hair dryers will be sent a postage-paid shipping container to return their unit to Remington. Consumers will receive a new 1875-watt Vortex hair dryer with an ALCI plug.

For more information, contact Remington at 1-800-992-9686 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.remington-products.com.

Extension cords

STK International Inc. is recalling about 190,000 extension cords. The cords have undersized wires, presenting a shock hazard to consumers.

CPSC and STK International have not received any reports of incidents or injuries involving these extension cords. The recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The recalled extension cords were sold in brown (model EC-222) or white (model EC-221) and are approximately 5 feet 3 inches long. The model numbers are printed in the upper right corner of the packaging. The cords were packaged in a mustard and orange color sleeve with the words, "5 Household Extension Cords" and "Made in China" printed on the front. The "Volt Master" logo is printed in the left corner of the packaging. "YWC-981 8 CHINA E157848" is printed on the cord.

Discount stores sold the extension cords nationwide from October 1998 to March 2002 for about $1.

Consumers should stop using and return these extension cords immediately and return them to STK International for a refund, including postage. Consumers should mail their extension cords to the attention of EC-221/ EC-222 Recall, STK International, Inc., 5500 East Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90022. For more information, call STK International at 1-800-536-7855 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Digital multimeters

Fluke Corp. is recalling about 40,000 digital multimeters. About 17,200 were sold in the United States.

Multimeters are used to measure voltage, resistance and current. The recalled units can take longer than normal, up to 18 seconds, to display readings of AC voltages above 500 volts. Users can misinterpret the delayed reading to mean that high voltage is not present. If high voltage is present, users could be exposed to a risk of shock, electrocution, and thermal burns.

The recalled Fluke digital multimeters measure up to 1,000 volts alternating current (VAC) and direct current (VDC). "Fluke" and "175", "177" or "179" are written on the front of the unit. The tester body is yellow and black, and measures about 7.25-inches long by 3.5-inches wide. Recalled units have a serial number below 79000000. The serial number is written on the back of the instrument under the hinged stand. Home and hardware stores and industrial distributors nationwide sold these testers from January 2001 through October 2001 for between $170 and $215.

Consumers should contact Fluke for information on returning the recalled unit for a free repair. Consumers should call Fluke at 1-800-260-4819 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or at the Fluke Web site www.fluke.com/170recall.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov.