Consumer Products Recalls

Mini Shadowy Stand Lamp Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 6, 1974 Release # 74-005 CPSC Warns Of Severe Electric Shock Hazard In Lamp WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 6)--The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers who may have purchased a "Rainbow Lamp", also known as a "Mini Shadowy Stand" lamp, to immediately discontinue use of the product. The Commission said the lamp-- which retails for approximately $1.98-- contains defects which could result in a fatal electric shock. Some 35,000 lamps have been sold since February, 1973. They were advertised nationally in TV Guide, Sunday newspaper supplements, including Parade Magazine; Ladies Home Journal; and in the "New Discoveries from Greenland" catalog which was mailed to several million consumers over the last few months. The Commission said the lamps were distributed in the United States by Greenland Studios, 4500 Northwest, 135th Street, Miami, Florida. They were imported from Taiwan and carry the model number 13348 in some of the advertisements but not on the lamp or package. The Commission warned consumers to use "extreme care" in disconnecting the lamp plug from electrical outlets, and to avoid touching any metal objects while doing so. The lamp is designed to cast shadows of various shapes on walls when in use and has been advertised as providing a "sensuous light show". Consumers Union notified the Commission of the possible hazard, on February 1, 1974. The Commission immediately secured samples of the lamps and began testing. Further importation and sales of the lamps have been halted and the Commission said the company is cooperating fully with the Commission and has voluntarily agreed to refund the full purchase price on all returns, including cost of postage. In addition, the company has agreed to make a direct mailing to known purchasers, warning them of the hazard and offering to repurchase the lamps. In making the announcement, the Commission said it was deeply concerned by the failure of national publications to exercise "any degree of responsibility" in verifying the safety of products advertised for sale to consumers. "We believe publications-- such as TV Guide and Ladies Home Journal-- have a special responsibility to assure that products advertised for sale do not pose unreasonable risks of injury to consumers." Greenland Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Downe Communications, Inc., which also owns Ladies Home Journal and Family Weekly.

Poisoning

Poisoning

Tappan Built-In Ovens Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 8, 1973 Release # 73-003 Consumer Product Safety Commission Says Some Tappan Built-In Ovens May Pose Hazard To Consumers WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 8) - The Consumer Product Safety Commission Friday said it has learned from the Tappan Company of a defect in certain Tappan Company built-in gas ovens manufactured for installation primarily in mobile homes and other newly constructed homes. The Commission said the defect --a possible loose fitting connection-- could result in a hazard to consumers from gas leakage. The ovens in question were manufactured between January 23, 1973, and May 31, 1973, by the F.H. Lawson Company, Springfield, Tennessee, for the Tappan Company. While the majority of the ovens carry the "Tappan" name, some were produced for Montgomery Ward and carry the brand-name "Signature." According to Tappan, the problem occurred in some 15,185 ovens, of which 11,974 have been shipped from the place of manufacture. The ovens carry model numbers AZ12-1239; AZ12-1249; AZ12-1441; AKTM-3850; and AKTM-3893. Some 8,172 of the ovens-- model number AZ12-1239-- are used exclusively in mobile homes. The Montgomery Ward ovens--"Signature"--carry the "AKTM" model number prefix. CPSC Chairman Richard 0. Simpson said the Commission is asking wholesalers, distributors, and retailers who may have the affected ovens in stock or installed in mobile homes or newly constructed homes immediately to contact the Tappan Company. In addition, Simpson said consumers who may have purchased a Tappan or "Signature" built-in oven with one of the model numbers in question should contact their local gas company or the nearest Tappan dealer regarding possible gas leakage between the shut-off valve and the pressure regulator. The Commission was told by Tappan that consumers can locate the model number on the oven by opening the top oven door and looking at the metal strip at the top of the oven which carries the model number on it. CPSC investigators have been sent to the Tappan headquarters, Mansfield, Ohio, and to the F.H. Lawson Company to determine whether the remedial action proposed by Tappan is appropriate and to determine the degree of potential hazard to consumers.