Electronics

Fall

Power Mowers Modified by Sunbeam NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 1979 Release # 79-052 Power Mowers To Be Modified WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct.1) -- The Sunbeam Outdoor Co., has instituted a program to modify approximately 8,900 electric lawn mowers which may pose electrical shock hazards to users. The program is being conducted voluntarily in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Sunbeam Outdoor Company, of Manning, South Carolina, is a division of the Sunbeam Corporation. The program applies only to models 3227 and 3228 "Sunbeam" electrical mowers. They have been sold nationwide since 1978 at a retail price of approximately $140. The mowers feature handles which can be reversed over the top of the motor enabling consumers to change mowing directions without turning around the entire machine. As the position of the handle is changed, the power cord may get caught between the handle and a bracket which mounts the handle to the mower. This could cause sufficient abrasion to expose electrical wires. No injuries have been reported. Consumers should not use these mowers until they have installed a small metal part to eliminate the potential hazard. The part can be obtained free of charge, along with installation instructions, by contacting: Department 91B, Sunbeam Outdoor Company, Division of Sunbeam Corporation, P.O. Box 430, Kingstree Highway East, Manning, South Caroling 29102, telephone 803/435-8444. To verify model numbers, consumers may contact CPSC's toll- free Hotline at 800/638-2772.

Drowning

Smoke Detectors Recalled by BRK Electronics NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 1978 Release # 78-089 Pittway-BRK Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 6) - The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced an agreement with the Pittway Corp., Northbrook, Ill., doing business as BRK Electronics, whereby Pittway has agreed to pay $100,000 in settlement of a civil penalty action which the Commission had decided to file. The agreement was negotiated between Pittway and CPSC staff and accepted by the Commission on Nov. 1. The Commission's action against Pittway concerned the company's alleged failure to report a defect in the BRK SS749 series smoke detectors which could cause such products to fail to operate and, in certain instances, to catch fire. The defect consisted of incorrectly rated resistors used in the SS749 smoke detectors produced by the BRK Electronics division of Pittway from March 1974 to September 26,1975. The Consumer Product Safety Act requires a manufacturer to notify the Commission immediately after learning of a defect which could create a substantial product hazard. In agreeing to a settlement of this matter, the Pittway Corporation has neither admitted nor denied violating the notification requirements of the Act. The company has cooperated in voluntarily carrying out an extensive program to recall the approximately 115,000 smoke detectors involved. Thus far, approximately 60,000 smoke detectors have been returned. The company has agreed to continue, and to intensify, its efforts to locate the remaining smoke detectors. The units subject to this recall are 110 volt AC-powered detectors which sold for a suggested retail price of $39.95. No battery-powered detectors are involved. Some models were manufactured with ordinary power cords (line cord) which plug into wall outlets, others have pigtail leads (hard wire) for installation directly into electric wiring. The detectors were marketed by BRK, American Machine & Foundry (AMF), I-T-E Imperial Corporation (I-T-E) and Sears, Roebuck & Company (Sears). They have the following model numbers: BRK SS749AC (hard wire) SS749ACS (hard wire) SS749L (line cord) SS749SL (line cord) AMF 2000AC (hard wire) 2000ACL (line cord) I-T-E ITOl-AC (hard wire) Sears 9-57049 (hard wire) 9-57047 (line cord) 9-57048 (line cord) Homeowners who suspect they have one of these smoke detectors are urged to check the model number on their unit. (Caution: Before inspecting-hard-wired detectors, electrical power to the unit must be turned off at the fuse box or circuit breaker; line cord detectors must be unplugged before inspection). Once the power is off o remove the cover and examine the side of the plastic base for a label which contains the model number. Anyone who has one of the Sears units affected by this recall should contact the nearest Sears store, which will arrange for inspection and free replacement of the unit containing the defect. People who believe they have any of the other detectors under recall should contact BRK to obtain a fact sheet, which gives very specific criteria for identifying potentially defective units, as well as replacement instructions. Additional information concerning the recall can be obtained by contacting BRK Electronics, 780 McClure Avenue, Aurora, Illinois 60507, Attention: Dennis Wm. Clair, Project 749 Director; or by calling toll-free 800/323-9005 and asking for the Project 749 Department.

Explosion/Projectiles

Scuba Regulators Replaced by Parkway Fabricators NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 27, 1977 Release # 77-131 Safety Replacement Program WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 27)-- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Parkway Fabricators of South Amboy, N.J. today announce a voluntary part-replacement program of 2000 "Poseidon" brand "Cyklon 300" model regulators for SCUBA diving systems sold in 1974. The regulators manufactured in Sweden by Poseidon Industries AB, imported and distributed nationwide by Parkway Fabricators can be identified by the "Poseidon" brand name, the "Cyklon 300" model name and the following serial number ranges: 15024 through 16523 and 18050 through 18549. The brand name is embossed on the purge button and the serial number is located on the first stage of the regulator. The intermediate air hose on these regulators may become disconnected from its fitting due to a defect in the hose material. If the fitting disconnects while the unit is submerged, air flow to the diver would be cut off. Consumers are warned to immediately stop using these regulators. The company is providing free replacement hoses to all consumers who own one of the affected regulators. To obtain the replacement hose, consumers should write to Parkway Fabricators, # 1 Raritan Street, South Amboy, N.J., attn: Cyklon 300 Recall, and provide his or her name, address, telephone number and the serial number of the regulator. A replacement hose along with instructions for installation will be mailed to each owner. In addition, Parkway has sent direct notification to the approximately 80% of the purchasers of the regulators who have filed warranty cards with the firm. Parkway is also notifying its dealers nationwide and is providing them with posters to warn customers not to use the regulator until a replacement hose is provided. The firm is aware of approximately 20 instances when the intermediate air hose on the regulator has become disconnected from its fitting. However, no injuries have resulted to divers as a result of this problem. Consumers who require additional information should contact Ken Musiak, Parkway Fabricators, # 1 Raritan Street, South Amboy, N. J., telephone 201/721 -5300.If consumers are unable to contact Parkway Fabricators, they may contact CPSC at 800/638-2772.

October 25, 1977 Release # 77-111 WASHINGTON, DC (Oct. 25) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with the Crosman Arms Company, a division of The Coleman Company, Inc., announced today the possibility of an inoperative safety in certain BB repeater pistols marketed under the Crosman name. About 25,000 model number 454 repeater pistols were manufactured and distributed nationwide during 1977 for recreational shooting. In a portion of these, an improper dimension on a receiver cover raises the possibility of the pistol discharging when the trigger is pulled with the safety engaged. The company is trying to locate the pistols involved in order to make modifications to eliminate the possible problem at no cost to the consumer. The pistols are identified as Crosman model 454, 16-shot, semi-automatic .177-caliber CO2 powered BB pistols. Suspect pistols can be identified by the first three digits of the serial number. The digits are 477, 577, 677, 777, or 877. The serial number is located on the left side of the pistol just below the name Crosman. Pistols bearing these serial numbers but with an "R" stamped on the right-hand side of the casting under the grip or below the barrel on the front of the receiver have been inspected by Crosman and do NOT contain the possible malfunction. Owners of the pistols are requested to take the pistol to the nearest authorized service center listed on a brochure which was included with the pistol when purchased. Owners may also write the Crosman Arms Company, 980 Turk Hill Road, Fairport, New York 14450 or call the Crosman service department at (716)223-6000

Automatic Baseball Pitching Machines Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 1977 Release # 77-078 Warning Issued On Automatic Baseball Pitching Machines WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 21) -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today issued an urgent warning to purchasers and users of certain automatic baseball pitching machines of the potential for severe bodily injury which the machines present. The machines are labeled as follows: "Blazer (Champ)," the "Professional," "Range, " "Pro-Trainer (Olympia)," and/or the "Dudley Automatic Pitching Machine." They were manufactured by Commercial Mechanisms, Inc., of Spring Park, Minnesota, and Kansas City, Missouri. The Commission has two reports of permanent and severe brain damage resulting from these machines. There are about 18 other injuries including brain concussions, severe lacerations and severe facial disfigurement. The Commission has authorized its staff to prepare the necessary papers for filing a complaint in U.S. District Court seeking recall of the machines and a declaration that they are an imminent hazard. About 5,000 of these machines have been distributed throughout the United States to schools, colleges, clubs, recreation departments, and other athletic organizations. They were manufactured from 1963 to 1975. The Commission is asking consumers who have access to or know the location of a machine to call tie U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll-free hotline 800/638-2772. The pitching machines have rotary pitching arms propelled by a gasoline engine or electric motor which powers a gear, pulley and tension spring mechanism. The revolving pitching arm which has no guard retains sufficient energy to "pitch" even though the machines are unplugged or disconnected. This energy can release the pitching arm after only slight vibration of the machine. The downward rotation of the pitching arm at high velocity has resulted in serious injuries to persons in its path. The pitching arm may also separate from the machine during operation, becoming an uncontrolled and potentially lethal missile. The machines may also fire pitches erratically in unintended directions. Consumers are alerted to follow these important safety precautions: Avoid placing any portion of the body within the arc or path through which the pitching arm revolves, unless the machine is disconnected from its power source and the coil spring is disengaged from the spring holder. Disengage the coil spring from the spring holder after use, and lock the machine in a location that will restrict unauthorized or unsupervised access. If the machine must be moved, disconnect the machine from its power source and disengage the coil spring from the spring holder before moving. Never store the pitching machine with the pitching arm in the 10:00 o'clock position. An Example of A Pitching Machine With An Unguarded Arm (Blazer "Little Champ" Model) Guardless