2012 Archives - 11/214 - Archive

There’s no shortage of sources out there providing some holiday safety tips to consumers, but perhaps no entity has established the same authority as the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  When this government agency talks, people listen, and thus it’s great to see them working with the National Fire Protection Association and the Maryland State Fire Marshal to warn consumers about the many dangers, most of them fire-related, that can derail holiday festivities.

First, one needs to understand just how susceptible homes are to fire and other hazards during this time of the year.  In 2011, 14,000 injuries resulted from holiday decorations of some sort, an increase from two years before, when 12,000 people were injured.  And between 2008 and 2010, fires stemming from candles claimed the lives of 74 people and led to property damage in the neighborhood of $347 million.  Christmas tree fires contributed to $19 million in damage in 2010 as well.

It’s not surprising, then, that the fire marshal is emphasizing the importance of testing carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms on a regular basis.  If you haven’t done so, make sure you initiate these tests before the holidays begin in earnest.  To further prevent fire, he encourages the proper watering of live Christmas trees and constant supervision of any food that’s being cooked.  And just in case a fire does break out, all exits in your home should be unblocked so as to promote a hasty escape.

Preventing fire goes far beyond that, though.  You first need to be sure that your holiday lights are safe enough to be plugged in and hung.  If they haven’t been tested by a trusted agency such as Underwriters Laboratories, then consider an alternative set of lights.  And make sure that the lights you do hang are placed only in the indoor or outdoor environment they’re rated for.  Before you hang the lights up, make sure that not only the lights are in good condition, but that the extension cord you plan to plug it into is free of damage and capable of handling the energy output.

Fire safety extends even to artificial Christmas trees.  If your fake tree doesn’t say “Fire Resistant” on an affixed label, then go with a tree that does.  Fire risks can never be snuffed out completely, but a fire resistant tree can at least mitigate the threat.  All trees should be placed away from any heat sources and out of the way of heavily trafficked paths.

Finally, be aware of additional hazards that are present if young children reside in your home.  When decorating the tree, make sure to keep small objects out of such kids’ reach so that they don’t try to eat the items.  And if any decorations are breakable or sharp, don’t hang them.

By following these steps and more available at the link above, you can help protect yourself and your family from danger.

Numerous chassis are being recalled from around the country because of an issue affecting both the brake lights and the cruise control.

Daimler Trucks North America announced the recall, which pertains to XB and XC custom chassis under the Freightliner brand.  Each of the 2010 through 2013 model year chassis available were produced from the beginning of 2010 to September 20 of this year.  An estimated 7,594 conveyances are affected by this recall.

The recall was necessitated because an open circuit can result when diode jumpers on the chassis loosen in their connectors.  If this defect presents itself, the ramifications are twofold:  the circuit that activates the brake lights when force is applied may not do its job, nor might the circuit that deactivates cruise control once the brakes are pressed.  Either of these situations could lead to a crash.  The first type of situation would lead to other drivers not being aware that the driver is braking, while the latter could lead to continued cruise control when the driver seeks to eliminate that function.

To make sure that an incident doesn’t befall consumers, owners can expect to receive word from Daimler.  Once the recall is initiated on January 28, owners will be able to obtain a free inspection and repairs from dealers.

Recently, we provided you with an important report about safety as it pertains to the usage of nail guns.  These items must only be used when strict safety precautions are followed, otherwise an injury would be possible.  Now, just a couple days after that report, a recall of nail guns is being issued.

The Anderson, South Carolina-based One World Technologies announced the recall, which pertains to RIDGID Clipped Head Framing Nailer and Coil Roofing Nailers.  These products are orange and gray and have the word RIDGID emblazoned upon the side.  4,400 of the clipped head framing nailers and 8,400 of the coil roofing nailers are affected by the recall, but those whose package has a blue dot are not included.

The recall was initiated because it was discovered that a malfunction could be had on the trigger assembly of the devices.  This could lead to a fastener potentially being discharged by accident, which could cause a user or someone nearby to sustain a laceration injury.  Thankfully, no one has reported such an occurrence at this point in time.

These items, which were only available at Home Depot between January and September of this year for $230, should not be used.  By getting in touch with One World, consumers can obtain a replacement item.

The state of Virginia has drawn one step closer to bolstering anti-texting while driving legislation.  A stronger version of the law was pre-filed Tuesday and then endorsed yesterday by the Virginia State Crime Commission.  Currently, the law is only a secondary offense, so anyone texting behind the wheel can only be pulled over if he or she engages in some other breach of the law.  However, the new law would make texting a misdemeanor, but it would also encompass any non-call activities, such as interacting with social media or playing games.  Any offender could be required to pay a $2,500 fine or spend a year in jail, quite an uptick from the current $20 fine.

Click here to learn more about the strengthened ban.

Last Saturday, the Alameda Police Department began implementing two programs meant to enhance bicycle safety around the area.  The first initiative tasks officers with rewarding children whom they deem to be engaged in safe cycling behavior.  The officers will be able to bestow upon such kids a token that can be redeemed for a free ice cream cone at a local shop.  The second safety measure will see adults caught making some sort of bicycle violation being allowed to take a Bicycle Diversion Program.  Instead of being forced to pay a citation, cyclists can opt to take the course, at which point the citation will be waived.

Click here to learn more about these efforts.

Just under 30,000 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles of the 2009 through 2012 model years have been recalled by BMW.  The recall was necessitated once it was discovered that loosening of the engine belt idler pulley bolt could occur.  This might lead the component to break completely given enough time.  A vehicle experiencing such a break would be in danger of losing its power steering, potentially leading to a crash situation.  At some point in January, the recall will likely begin, at which point affected owners can expect to receive word of the issue from BMW.  Free repairs will consist of replacement and tightening of the affected vehicle component.

For more about the recall, follow this link.

With storms continuing to pound the Northern California area, now is the perfect time to discuss those precautions one must take to ensure that safety remains paramount throughout the winter.  As snow begins to be dumped on certain parts of the state and the country, snowplows will be popping up across the landscape, and it’s essential that you know what to do around such vehicles in order to remain safe.  Here then are some tips as provided by the Kalamazoo County Road Commission of Michigan.

With snowplows descending on the roads in the wake of snowstorms, it’s important to understand the unique driving techniques that one must execute when around such vehicles.  Snowplows should never be passed on the righthand side.  Not only will visibility be compromised as you attempt to make the pass, but the plows of many vehicles actually extend past the lane the snowplow is in and take up space in the lane to the right.  If you attempt to pass snowplows of this type, it’s highly likely that you could crash into the plow and sustain an injury.  Instead, pass on the left, and do so carefully.

Also understand how much your visibility and the visibility of the snowplow driver is compromised.  Clouds of snow dispersed into the air are problematic for both of you, so be careful whenever in the vicinity.  Also understand that truck drivers can’t see behind them.  To further ensure your focus is on the road, make sure that you’re not engaging in distracted driving.  Refrain from texting or even talking on the phone.  And also make sure you follow the safety directives that apply even on clear, sunny days.  Wear a seatbelt and travel slowly so that you don’t further endanger yourself on winter roads.

You also should make sure that your children are kept safe when snow gets dumped on your area.  When school gets cancelled, kids will often head outdoors in an honest-to-goodness frenzy, intent on engaging in snow ball fights and other misadventures.  But there are certain hazards to be aware of.  Kids should be kept away from the sides of roads.  Snowplows can make the rounds of a neighborhood throughout the day, and you don’t want your child being injured by such vehicles.

Therefore, tell your kids not to build forts or play in or around large mounds of snow stationed along the road.  By staying away from such areas, you can rest easy knowing that your child won’t be endangered by any flung snow or even unseen objects that might rest within the piles of snow.  If a plow comes along and smashes into something hidden, the object can be thrust through the air and cause an injury.  It’s best to keep children away from the roads altogether.

A series of items that could lead a user to sustain a shock or incur a burn is being recalled.  Consumers who own these items should not underestimate the threat.

The recall pertains not to fireplaces, but to inserts that can be placed into fireplaces in order to create liquid propane or natural gas effects.  The Gorham, Maine-based Jotul North America announced the recall, which affects Scan and Jotul inserts, each of which will be steel or cast iron and come with ceramic fiber logs and an electrical cord.  1,200 inserts throughout the country are being recalled, as are 50 additional units residing in Canada.

The electrical wiring on these inserts could potentially touch the metal rating plate component.  If this were to occur and a consumer was to come into contact with the insert, he or she could be shocked. It’s also possible that they would be burned.  One person has reportedly sustained these types of injuries already.

These items, which were available from retailers across the United States, cost around $2,200 when they were on sale between June 2010 and September of this year.  To ensure that safety is assured, consumers are being advised to unplug the inserts until such time that they can get free repairs made.  Unplugging also allows consumers to check out the model and serial numbers (the link above lists affected units).

Keep your family safe from harm, and make sure to take care of this issue right away, especially now that the weather is getting cooler.

A massive automobile recall has been announced, but what separates this next recall announcement from other similar safety directives is the fact that the auto company is actually encouraging drivers to seek alternate means of transportation until the issue can be fixed.  This might suggest a danger that could present itself at any moment.

Ford announced this recall, which pertains to Fusion and Escape automobiles of the 2013 model year.  Each affected automobile has a 1.6L engine and was produced up until the latter part of last month.  That equates to a total of 80,057 vehicles that might suffer from the defect which necessitated the recall.

The recall was necessitated because the engines are in danger of overheating.  This could cause fluid to leak out, and the hot exhaust systems of the vehicles could then make contact with these fluids.  The hot exhaust system, because of the high levels of heat thrown off, could ignite those fluids that it contacts, and thus a fire becomes a distinct possibility.  This would compromise the safety of vehicle occupants and pose a hazard on the road.

There’s no word on what the recall will entail.  Ford is in the process of coming up with a suitable remedy.  Until they do, consumers should refrain from driving their vehicles.  Instead, they can contact dealers or the company directly.  Alternate transportation is being provided to affected owners.

The recall is set to begin at the end of this week, but in the meantime, make sure you stay safe by not driving these vehicles.

An anti-texting and driving campaign is being enacted in Kentucky with the help of a former college football coach at Louisville.  The coach will be featured in a public service announcement that attempts to fill people in on the dangers posed by texting behind the wheel.  The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is putting forth the effort, which also promotes an app called Free Safe Text.  Similar to other anti-texting apps, the technology, once activated, will post an automated response to persons who text you while you’re driving.  The messages can then be reviewed by the driver once he or she brings the vehicle to a stop.

For more about the effort, follow this link.