Recalls: Home Appliances, Maintenance and Structures

October 26, 1988 Coleman 8600 Solar Pak Mobile Home Furnaces Replacement

Coleman 8600 Solar Pak Mobile Home Furnaces Replacement NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 1988 Release # 88-88 CPSC Warns Of Potential For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Involving Improperly Maintained Coleman 8600 Solar Pak Mobile Home Furnaces WASHINGTON, DC - An inspection and discount replacement program for some 100,000 Model 8600 Solar Pak mobile home furnaces is being undertaken by the Coleman Co. Manufactured Housing Products Division of Wichita, Kansas in voluntary cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In response to reports received by Coleman and the CPSC of deaths and serious injuries caused by leaking carbon monoxide from furnaces which have allegedly been inadequately inspected and maintained and/or altered or modified, Coleman has initiated a program to arrange inspections of its Model 8600 Solar Pak furnaces produced for mobile homes before December 1971. Coleman is offering home owners a free cooler to encourage participation in this safety inspection program. Although approximately 380,000 Solar Pak furnaces were manufactured from 1964 through 1971, it is unlikely all are still operational. The furnaces were sold exclusively for use in mobile homes either as original equipment or as replacement appliances. Investigations of the incidents show that no single factor is solely responsible for the carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. Nearly all of the incidents allegedly involved a combination of factors including improper or inadequate maintenance, the furnace improper installation, alteration or modification to the furnace. To participate in this inspection/replacement program, mobile home owners should check their gas furnaces for the presence of the Coleman brand name on the front of the furnaces. They can then identify a Coleman Model 8600 Solar Pak by opening the furnace door and checking the rating plate. If the furnace is a Coleman Model 8600 Solar Pak or if the home owner is uncertain, they should call Coleman's toll-free Hotline number 1- 800-232-SOLR. Coleman will assist in arranging an inspection with the closest service center. Coleman is offering up to a 50% discount on critical replacement parts as well as up to a 50% discount on a new replacement furnace. Consumers can receive details of the program by calling the Coleman toll free number listed above. Home owners are being reminded that annual maintenance and inspection of all furnaces is vital to the safety of consumers and to the proper working of their furnace. Older furnaces, such as the Coleman Solar Pak series, should receive special care and attention to insure proper operation. Read more.


August 29, 1988 Miter Saws Made Since '82 Recalled By Black & Decker

Miter Saws Made Since '82 Recalled By Black & Decker NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 1988 Release # 88-71 Black & Decker Recalls Miter Saws Made Since '82 WASHINGTON - Twelve models of electric-powered miter saws manufactured since 1982 are being voluntarily retrofitted by Black and Decker (U.S.), Inc. of Towson, MD to assure the proper return of the guard assembly after cutting operations. Undertaken in cooperation with the U.S, Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall involves the following Black and Decker miter saws: model 1703 (Type 1), model 1703-1, model 3090 (Type 2 & 11), model 3091 (Type 1), model 3417 (Type 11), 3417-04 (Type3), model 7715-1 (Types 1, 2 and 3), model 7715-04 (Type 2), model 7716 (Types 1A1, 2 and 11), model 7716-04 (Type 1), model 7717 (Types 3, 11 and 21), model 7718 (Type 2), and Sears model 901.23470 sold by Sears, Roebuck and Co. The model number and type will be found on the decal of the nameplate on the saw. Black and Decker said that, under certain circumstances, the lower guard may not return to its original safety position, thereby leaving the blade exposed. There have been two reported injuries as a result of this problem. To protect the consumer, the company has developed a spacer, which is attached to the upper guard to assure the return of the moveable lower guard to its proper safety position. The company has also modified the design of the saw guard to prevent the problem from happening on future model saws. Consumers having any of the recalled miter saws should stop using them immediately, then call Black and Decker toll-free at 1-800-541-7136, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, so that a retrofit kit may be sent. The kit contains the spacer and screw with appropriate installation instructions. A screwdriver is the only tool required. The company will mail kits directly to consumers who completed and sent in product registration cards at the time of purchase. Sears' consumers needing further assistance should contact their nearest Sears Service Center. Other consumers needing further assistance may take their recalled miter saw to the nearest Black and Decker service center where the new spacer will be installed. Read more.