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Danger in Your House If You Own This |
Quick! Check your closets, bathrooms, basement, attic, and even your windows. Danger--the kind that can kill--could be lurking in the form of household products you've probably forgotten are even there. At least that's the word from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which has released a list of the most hazardous items people are most likely to find in their homes. Almost all were recalled at one time or another, but that doesn't mean you heard about the recall or got rid of the product. And many of these household products are still being sold at yard sales or donated to charity and thrift shops. "Some of them can be fixed, but most simply need to be destroyed," warned CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton in a news release. Most hazardous household products and the hazards they pose: - Old Power Tools
The hazard: Electrocution
In this case, "old" is anything made before 1980. Old power tools don't have modern safety features to protect you from getting zapped. Many were made with metal housings, don't have proper grounding, or may have frayed wires.
- Old Extension Cords
The hazard: Fire or shock
Old extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors may have undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components, or improper grounding. Old extension cords may fail to meet current safety standards and can be overloaded easily.
- Window Blind Cords With Loops
The hazard: Strangulation
If your window blinds were purchased before 1995, they probably pose a serious strangulation hazard for children. Older window blinds may have pull cords that end in a loop or inner cords that can form a loop if pulled by children. Both can cause strangulation. About 160 kids have died from strangulation in looped window covering cords since 1991. The Window Covering Safety Council offers free repair kits that include small plastic attachments to prevent the inner cords from being pulled loose, and safety tassels for pre-1995 window blinds with outer pull cords ending in loops. Call 1-800-506-4636 for information.
- Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamps
The hazard: Fire
When these lamps are placed too close to drapes and other combustibles, there is a serious fire risk unless the lamps have a wire or glass guard and a bulb that is 300 watts or less. More than 40 million halogen floor lamps made before 1997 by numerous firms were recalled because they have no guard to protect against fire. Get free wire guards by sending a postcard to Catalina Lighting Consumer Services, 18191 NW 68th Avenue, Miami, FL 33015.
- Old Cribs
The hazard: Entrapment, strangulation, suffocation
Baby cribs with more than 2-3/8 inches between crib slats or those that have corner posts or cut-outs on the headboard or footboard present suffocation and strangulation hazards. About 30 children die every year because of unsafe cribs. Destroy them!
- Cadet Heaters
The hazard: Fire
Cadet and Encore heaters (models FW, FX, LX, TK, Z, ZA, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW, and ZC) can smoke, spark, catch fire, emit flames, or eject burning particles or molten materials. Stop using them. The Cadet recall hotline is 1-800-567-2613.
- Hairdryers Without Immersion Protection Devices
The hazard: Electrocution
If your hairdryer was made before the early 1990s, destroy it and treat yourself to a new one that will have a built-in shock protection device to prevent electrocution if it falls into water.
- Old Disposable and Novelty Lighters
The hazard: Not child-resistant
If the lighter was made before 1994, it doesn't meet current child-resistant safety standards. Since the standard took effect, there has been a 58 percent reduction in fires caused by children under age 5, representing the prevention of hundreds of deaths and injuries and thousands of fires.
- Neck Drawstrings on Children's Jackets and Sweatshirts
The hazard: Strangulation
If you still have some of these old jackets or sweatshirts, pull out or cut the neck drawstrings. Do not sell them at garage sales or give them to thrift stores. |