A nationwide Emergency Alert System test is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9 at 2:00PM EST. This is the first ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The purpose is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert...
Safety
IKEA Wardrobe Mirror Doors Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard
About 1,700 IKEA wardrobe mirror doors, sold under the name PAX AURLAND, were recalled recently. The full length mirror glass on the door can detach from the wardrobe door and potentially fall and shatter. This poses a laceration hazard for consumers. There have been...
Fire Prevention Week
This week is Fire Prevention Week! The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) is encouraging families and homeowners to take this week to enhance the home's fire safety plan. The NFPA Fire Prevention Week page is an excellent source of information, including tip...
Chefmate Blender Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard
About 304,000 Chefmate 6-Speed Blenders were recalled due to a laceration hazard. The blenders, which were sold exclusively at Target for about $14, have a plastic pitcher that can separate from the blade assembly, leaving the blade assembly in the base and exposing...
Dehumidifiers Recalled Due to Fire Hazard
98,000 dehumidifiers made by LG Electronics were recalled due to a fire hazard associated with the units. The dehumidifiers -- which have sold under the Goldstar and Comfort-Aire names -- have caused more than $1,000,000 in property damages from fires. The...
Two Million Units of Pourable Gel Fuel Recalled Due to Flash Fire Hazard
Nine different manufacturers and distributors of pourable gel fuel have announced the recall of their products due to flash fire and burn hazards. When consumers add the pourable gel to an already burning pot the gel can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto nearby...
Backyard Swingset Recalled Due to Fall Hazard
5,500 Playsafe Dartmouth Swing Sets have been recalled due to a fall hazard. The swingsets, which were sold exclusively at Toys R Us for around $270, have sling-style seats that can crack or split prematurely, posing a fall hazard to consumers. So far there have been...
Assessing Irene’s Damage
Irene has come and gone, and though she had been downgraded as she moved north and many in the major metropolitan areas (I'm looking at you, NYC!) were spared she still managed to leave her mark. Here in Vermont we had widespread flooding. They are calling this the...
Irene Sets Her Sights
AccuWeather has issued a list of major cities up the East Coast that can expect the worst from Irene as she makes her way north. Among those major metropolitan areas in Irene's path are Charleston, S.C., Wilmington, N.C., Norfolk, Va., Washington, D.C., New York City...
Target Recalls Step Stools Due to Fall Hazard
Some 206,000 Target Step Stools with Storage were recently recalled due to a fall hazard. The wooden step stools can break apart or collapse under the weight of the user, posing a fall risk. There have been 26 reports of stools breaking or collapsing and at least...