EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This
weekly newsletter covers:
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Announcing Ford Motor Company’s Recall of 2000 – 2001 For Windstar
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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Whirlpool Corp. Announce Recall of Combination Washer and Gas Dryer
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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and PM International, Ltd. Announce Recall of Two-Prong Adapter Plugs
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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and L.A. Lighter, Inc. Announce Recall of Disposable Cigarette Lighters

(1)
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) ANNOUNCING FORD MOTOR COMPANY’S RECALL OF 2000 – 2001 FOR WINDSTAR
Consumer The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announces Ford Motor Company’s recall of 2000 – 2001 Ford Windstar. On certain minivans, water and other contaminants (dirt, salt, etc.) can enter into the right rear passenger compartment due to a missing body sealer. This could cause a short circuit that can result in melted connectors and potentially lead to a fire. Consumers can contact Ford at (866) 430-7332. The Ford recall number is 02533. The National Highway Safety Administration Campaign No. is 02V072. The Announcement can be viewed at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

(2)
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) AND WHIRLPOOL CORP. ANNOUNCE RECALL OF COMBINATION WASHER AND GAS DRYER
Consumer Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Whirlpool Corp. of Benton Harbor, Michigan is voluntarily recalling about 17,000 combination washer and gas dryer units. The gas dryer can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The recalled 24-inch washer and gas dryer units were sold under the Whirlpool, Kenmore and General Electric brand names, which is written on the control panel of the units. They are white or light tan. The model and serial number are located behind the dryer door at the top of the opening. Model and serial numbers of units covered by this recall are as follows:
Brand: |
Whirlpool Compact Thin Twin |
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Model Numbers: |
LTG5243DZ2, LTG5243DT2, LTG5243DQ2, LTG5243DQ3, LTG5243DT3 |
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Serial Number: |
Begins with MM, ML or MK |
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Brand: |
Kenmore Laundry Center |
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Model Numbers: |
110.98752792, 110.98752793 |
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Serial Number: |
Begins with MM, ML or MK |
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Brand: |
General Electric Unitized Spacemaker |
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Model Numbers: |
WSM2480TBAWW, WSM2480TCAWW |
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Serial Number: |
Has Z, A or D as the second character |
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Consumers can call toll free at (866) 251-1607 anytime to arrange a free in-home service and repair. For more information, consumers can visit Whirlpool's recall web site at www.repair.whirlpool.com. Consumers should have the model and serial numbers of their washer and gas dryer units available when they call. The CPSC point of contact is Mark Ross, release number 02-192, (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188. The notice issued by the CPSC can be viewed at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02192.html.

(3)
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) AND PM INTERNATIONAL, LTD. ANNOUNCE RECALL OF TWO-PRONG ADAPTER PLUGS
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and PM International Ltd., of Edison, New Jersey, is voluntarily recalling about 22,000 international two-prong adapter plugs. PM International imported the adapter plugs from a manufacturer in China. The adapter plug can separate when the plug is removed, exposing live electrical conductors, posing an electric shock or electrocution hazard to consumers.
The two-prong, slip-on adapter plugs are used to connect American two- pronged electrical plugs into various foreign outlets. The adapter plugs are plastic with a white matte finish. The only marking on the plug is "6A250V", which is molded on the bottom surface between the prongs of the adapter. No other writing appears on the adapters. PM International sold the adapter plugs individually and as part of a traveling kit with voltage converters. Only adapter plugs sold individually are included in the recall.
Consumers should immediately stop using these adapters and contact the store or catalog where purchased to receive a free replacement adapter. Consumers can contact PM International at (800) 377-6332 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday. The CPSC point of contact is Scott Wolfson, release number 02-193, (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1189. The notice issued by the CPSC can be viewed at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02193.html.

(4)
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) AND L.A. LIGHTER, INC. ANNOUNCE RECALL OF DISPOSABLE CIGARETTE LIGHTERS
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and L.A. Lighter Inc., of Azusa, California, is voluntarily recalling about 1,800 disposable cigarette lighters. The lighters may have child-resistant mechanisms that do not meet federal safety standards. Young children may be able to operate these lighters, which could pose a fire hazard. L.A. Lighter has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
The recalled lighters are made of metal, come in different colors, and have a top that resembles a pencil across a protractor and triangle. To open the port and ignite the flame, consumers press on the pencil. The lighters, which are about three inches high, 7/8 inches wide and 1/4 inch deep, have a ruler along the side. A label on the lighter has the UPC code 7 63052 20108 5 and the words, "MADE IN CHINA" and "SLIDE PUSH."
Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and contact L.A. Lighter at (800) 499-4708 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Monday through Friday to receive a full refund. The CPSC point of contact is Mark Ross, release number 02-195, (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188. The notice issued by the CPSC can be viewed at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02195.html.

DISCLAIMER: This column is not intended to create an attorney-client
relationship. The information contained in this update is general in nature.
Individual situations of readers may not fit the general educational
information described in the column. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult
with an attorney to evaluate individual situations and provide legal advice.
Any reliance on the information contained herein is taken at the reader's own
risk and should not be considered legal advice.

Mr. Lynch can be reached at Cozen and O'Connor, 501 West Broadway, Suite 1610,
San Diego, California 92101, 800-782-3366 (voice), 619-234-7831 (fax),
palynch@cozen.com (e-mail), http://www.cozen.com. Follow us on Twitter at @firesandrain.

Please direct comments, suggestions, stories, and other items to the author by
e-mail at palynch@cozen.com
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