Electronics

April 24, 1991 Release # 91-060 Stop Using "Bark Buster" Auger Type Log Splitters Safety Commission Warns Consumers WASHINGTON, DC---Government safety experts are warning consumers to stop using "Bark Buster" brand auger-type log splitters manufactured from 1977 through 1988 because of the risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment of hands, arms and legs. These log splitters were sold nationwide for use in splitting firewood. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said there have been at least four serious injuries and one death to users of these log splitters. The injuries involved the loss of arms, legs or fingers. The CPSC originally learned of this unsafe product from a consumer complaint. These log splitters were manufactured by F. W. and Associates, Inc., Diversified Industries, Inc., Bark Buster, Inc., Isanti Engineering, Inc. and sold under the "Bark Buster" brand. They were also manufactured in gasoline engine powered, tractor engine powered and motor vehicle rear wheel powered models. The CPSC believes this serious hazard exists because these log splitters lack the following features: There is no operator accessible off/on switch. There is no "dead-man" feature provided to assure the auger stops if the operator loses control of the operations. No guard is present on the auger to prevent operator entrapment. Owners of these log splitters are urged to take measures which will make the units unuseable by unbolting, removing and discarding the auger tip assembly. These devices are no longer being made by the most recent manufacturer, Isanti Engineering, Inc., Isanti, MN. The CPSC estimates about 8,000 units were manufactured. The CPSC is issuing this warning as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for product safety. Some 15,000 types of products fall within the Commission's jurisdiction and each year these products are involved in an estimated 29 million injuries and 22,000 deaths

Entrapment

Whirlpool Will Retrofit Below-Counter Dishwashers NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 3, 1989 Release # 89-063 Whirlpool Will Retrofit Below-Counter Dishwashers WASHINGTON -- If you live in Kentucky, Illinois or Indiana and have one of five Whirlpool below-the-counter dishwashers, the company wants to replace the appliance's pushbutton switch to correct a possible fire hazard. According to Whirlpool, the undercounter dishwashers to be modified are models DU7400-O, DU7600XS-0, DU9000XR-0, and DU9000XR-1. The model and serial number may be found on a plate on the right front edge of the tub after the door is opened. The appliances were sold after February, 1986. The company said it was issuing a second recall notice to homeowners in the tri-state area because of poor consumer response to its first recall notice in August, 1988. The pushbutton switch may short-circuit and could cause a fire; forty-five such fires have been reported to Whirlpool, nine of which spread outside the appliance. While the company has attempted to locate all affected dishwashers in the tri-state area, consumers who have not been contacted by Whirlpool should have their model and serial number available, then call the company toll-free at 1-800-541-5746 to arrange for free service. Until the switch is installed, owners should not'use the appliance. Temporarily, the power should be turned off or the dishwasher door left unlatched.

Dishwasher Model Number Correction for Whirlpool Modification NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 17, 1988 Release # 88-68 CPSC Issues Correction of Whirlpool Dishwasher Model Numbers Announced In Modification Program NOTE: Two model numbers for Whirlpool Dishwashers in a CPSC news release dated August 2, 1988 announcing a modification program to prevent fires were incorrectly reported. The incorrect model numbers cited were DU900XR-0 and DU900XR-1. The correct model numbers are DU9000XR-0 and DU9000XR-1, in addition to model numbers DU7400XS-0, DU7600XS-0, and DU7800XS-0. Owners who have not yet been contacted should call Whirlpool's toll-free number, 1-800-541-5746 for free service. The full text of the CPSC News release with the corrected model numbers follows: SOME WHIRLPOOL UNDERCOUNTER DISHWASHER MODELS NEED TO BE MODIFIED TO PREVENT FIRES WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Whirlpool Corporation of Benton Harbor, Michigan, has announced a modification program involving five Whirlpool undercounter dishwasher models; DU400XS-O, DU7600XS-O, DU800XS-O, DU9000XR-O and DU9000XR-1. The pushbutton selector switch on these models could, under a specific set of conditions, catch fire. There have been twelve fire incidents including three, which spread outside the dishwasher. No injuries have been reported. The Whirlpool modification program involves replacing the selector switch, at no charge, on approximately 75,00 dishwashers, of the above model numbers, sold nation wide since March 1986. Although Whirlpool is attempting to locate all affected dishwashers, owners who have not been contacted should have their model and serial numbers ready and immediately call 1-800-541-5746 toll-free to arrange for free service. The model and serial number can be found on a plate located along the right front edge of the tub after the door is opened. Until service is performed, owners must not use their dishwasher, and should turn the power off or leave the door unlatched.

Vehicle Accident