Polariscopes Recalled for Shock Hazard

GIA Instruments Recalls Polariscopes Due to Shock Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC.

Name of Product: Illuminator Polariscopes 415000 and 415

Units: About 8,000

Manufacturer: GIA Instruments, of Carlsbad, Calif.

Hazard: The polariscopes can have a ground wire missing, posing a risk of electrical shock to the user.

Incidents/Injuries: GIA has received four reports of consumers experiencing minor electric shock.

Description: The recalled polariscopes are white in color with model number 415000 or 415 printed on the underside of the instrument. A polariscope is an instrument used by gemologists to assist in gem identification.

Sold by: GIA schools, GIA’s Web site, product catalogs, distributors and trade shows nationwide from January 1996 through June 2007 for between $255 and $340.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and contact GIA Instruments to schedule a free retrofit of the Polariscope with a ground wire. GIA is notifying all consumers directly.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GIA Instruments at (800) 421-8161 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gia.edu

Indoor Lighting Fixtures Impact Hazard

Indoor Lighting Fixtures Recalled by Lithonia Lighting Due to Impact Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Indoor Lighting Fixtures

Units: About 1,400

Manufacturer/Distributor: Lithonia Lighting, of Conyers, Ga.

Hazard: The glass reflector can separate from the fixture and fall, posing a risk of injury to consumers below the fixture.

Incidents/Injuries: There has been one report of a glass reflector falling. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves the Hi-Bay Indoor High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Fixtures, model numbers PG16A and PG21A. The fixture is intended for high-mounting heights (at least 20 feet above floor level) and is used in retail, warehouse and heavy manufacturing locations. The fixture’s housing is made of die-cast aluminum.

Sold by: Electrical distributors and sales representatives nationwide from January 2007 through May 2008 for between $280 and $350.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should inspect the fixtures immediately and take down any units with loose glass. Consumers should contact Lithonia Lighting to arrange for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lithonia Lighting at (800) 315-4963 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.lithonia.com

PG16A

PG21A

Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Recall

Goodman Company Recalls Air Conditioner/Heat Pump (PTAC) Units Due to Fire Hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC.

Name of Product: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner/Heat Pump (PTAC) Units

Units: About 30,000

Manufacturer: Goodman Company L.P., of Houston, Texas

Hazard: The PTAC’s power cords can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Goodman has received nine reports of smoke or fire associated with the PTAC’s power cords. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes 5.0 kW Amana-brand and Energy Knight-brand PTAC units with model numbers PTC-xxxx-50xx and EKT-xxxx-50x and serial numbers 0702112056 through 0804237539. The model and serial numbers are located on the control board plate found under the PTAC unit’s front cover.

Sold by: Goodman and heating and cooling equipment dealers nationwide from February 2007 through June 2008 for between $700 and $1,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should contact Goodman to receive a free replacement power cord. Commercial and institutional owners will be contacted directly and will install the power cord.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Goodman at (800) 366-0339 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Tags: Air Conditioner

Car Chargers Recall

IMS Recalls Car Chargers Used With Halogen Spotlights Sold at Sears and K-Mart Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Car Chargers Used with Power System Plus 3 Million Candlepower Spotlights

Units: About 210,000

Importer/Distributor: International Merchandising Service Inc. (IMS), of Fullerton, Calif.

Hazard: The car charger is incompatible with the spotlight’s battery, which can cause it to overcharge inside of a vehicle and pose a fire or burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: IMS has received two reports of incidents of spotlights overheating while being charged with the car charger. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled 12V DC car charger was sold with the Power Systems Plus/UST 3 Million Candlepower Spotlight with model number HSLR30S. The spotlight is black and blue and has a sticker on each side that reads “3 Million Candle Power.” “HSLR30S” is printed on the instruction manual and on the packaging.

Sold at: Sears and K-Mart retail stores nationwide from October 2007 to June 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled car charger and contact IMS for information on how to receive a free replacement car charger. Consumers can continue to use the spotlights without the car charger.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IMS toll-free at (866) 797-2738 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the company’s Web site at http://usttools.com/recall, or write to IMS Inc., 1927 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833 ATTN: RECALL PROGRAM.

Spotlight and Accessories

Car Charger

Tags: Car Chargers

Light Modules Recalled

Power Light Modules Recalled by GCI Technologies Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Power Light Modules

Units: About 7,500

Importer: GCI Technologies Corp., of Edison, N.J.

Hazard: Internal wiring in the module�s circuit boards is incorrectly installed, posing a risk of an electrical fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Gemini brand power light modules used in DJ rack systems. Models included in this recall are PL-01 and Pl-02. The model numbers are printed on the front of the module, near the power switch. Models included in this recall have an ETL logo on the back panel.

Sold by: Professional audio stores and dealers nationwide between July 2004 and September 2007 for about $130.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power light modules and contact GCI Technologies to request a repair or replacement.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact GCI Technologies toll-free at (866) 449-1200 between 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email the firm at info@gci-technologies.com. Consumers can also visit the firm�s Web site at www.geminidj.com

Electrical Wire Splices Recalled

Electrical Wire Splices Recalled Due to Shock and Fire Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Electrical Wire Splices (also known as Butt Splice Connectors)

Units: About 53,000

Manufacturer: Molex, of Lisle, Ill.

Hazard: The splice can fail to hold the wires adequately together, posing a shock and fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Gardner Bender has received one report of a recalled butt splice failing to hold wires together. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled butt splices are used to connect electrical wires to one another. They are typically used for wiring small electrical appliances, like audio equipment, or in automotive applications. The splices are yellow insulated vinyl and measure about one inch long and ¼ inch wide. They were intended for use with 12-10 AWG wire. 12-10 is stamped on the side of the splices. Model numbers 10-126, or 21-126, and Gardner Bender are printed on the product’s packaging. They were sold in packages of 8 or 50.

Sold at: Electrical distributors, hardware stores, and home centers nationwide from June 2005 through April 2008 for between $1 and $5.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using products that contain the recalled butt splices and contact the firm for free replacement splices.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Gardner Bender at (800) 624-4320 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gardnerbender.com

Tags: Electrical