Ellen PhillipsContinuing with our unsafe products column, I thought readers would be interested in the top recalled products of 2012 (thus far), according to Consumer Reports' ShopSmart magazine. I'm listing these in no certain order, except the all terrain vehicle tops the list by far.
• 2012 American Honda FourTrax Rancher ATV is the worst of the worst, according to ShopSmart. Even amongst all ATVs that kill more than 700 riders a year and land 130,000 in the ER, this Honda FourTrax should be returned immediately back to the dealership because of its dangers.
• Banzai inflatable pool slides includes the 21,000 sold at Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart from January 2005-June 2009. These particular slides deflate causing severe injuries.
• Handles break on the Black and Decker Spacemaker 12-cup under-the-counter coffeemaker and involves 159,000 sold from July 2008 through May 2012.
• Flushmate III pressure-assisted flushing systems installed inside toilet tanks. Sold at Home Depot and Lowes, property damage and injuries result when the tanks burst.
• 5,600 Hot Springs spas and Limelight hot tubs overheated and caused fires and were sold nationwide from March 2011 to March 2012.
• Worthington gas welding cylinders is a humongous recall with 29,026,000 cylinders used for welding because the seal can leak. Home Depot, Lowe's and plumbing and HVAC distributors sold these from October 2004 through January 2012.
• GM cars include 413,418 Chevy Cruzes (2011 and 2012) for a fire-causing defect. And a steering defect mandated Chevy recalling 6,159 2012 Chevy Express and Suburban and GMC Savana and Yukon XL models.
• Kids' pjs continue to be on the firing line with flammability issues. 238,000 sets from Gabiano Collection, PajamaGram, Papa Bear Loungeabouts, and Rigo International are the culprits this time around.
• 457, 5000 lighting products have been recalled because of fire or shock issues. These include AmerTac LED nightlights, Bell Air wall lanterns, Discovery kids lamps, Family Dollar mini lights, Great American Opportunities arena lamps, Ikea track lighting, Portfolio reflectors, Thomas mounted ceiling fixtures, and Westinghouse ceiling fan lights.
(to be concluded next week...)
Ellen Phillips is a retired English teacher who has written two consumer-oriented books. Her Consumer Watch column appears every Saturday. Email her at consumer watch@timesfree press.com.