Defective plastic leads to recall of 20,000 fondue sets

Trudeau Corp., of Woodbridge, Ill., is recalling about 20,000 fondue sets. The plastic ring with handles attached to the upper rim of the fondue pot can crack during normal heating or cooling, posing burn and fire hazards.

Trudeau has received 30 reports of plastic rings breaking, including one report of a consumer who was burned on the hand and another of fire damage to a rug. The recalled fondue pots are blue or white metal and have a black plastic ring attached to the upper rim of the fondue pot. The plastic ring includes two handles that allow for safe usage of the fondue pot. The fondue pot sits on a black, four-legged stand, which houses the burner. The fondue sets were sold under the brand names “Distinction by Trudeau” and “Trudeau Fondue Set.”

Retail stores nationwide sold the fondues from October 2001 through January 2002 for between $20 and $40. Consumers should stop using the fondue set immediately and contact Trudeau at (800) 465-8909 to receive a replacement fondue pot or visit www.trudeaucorp.com.

Longwell Electronics, of Brea, Calif., is recalling 2.5 million power cord sets sold with inkjet printers from Hewlett-Packard Co. The connector can break, exposing electrical contacts and posing a shock hazard to consumers.

No injuries or incidents have been reported. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The gray, two-wire power cord sets with an LS-7C connector were sold with the following HP printers: HP Deskjet 800 series and 900 series, HP Photosmart 1000 series, 1100 series, 1200 series, and 1300 series inkjet printers. The name “Longwell” is molded on the plug between the blades.

Stores including Best Buy, CompUSA, Costco, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and Wal-Mart sold the printers with the Longwell cord sets between April 2001 and February 2002 for between $100 and $400.

Consumers should stop using these printers immediately and contact HP for a free replacement cord at (877) 917- 4378 anytime or visit www.hp.com.

Spring is on the way, but before you take out that riding mower, check it out. Murray Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., is recalling about 89,500 rear-engine riding lawn mowers and about 6,200 mid-engine riding mowers. The fuel tanks can crack and leak fuel, posing a burn or fire hazard to consumers. Murray has received 950 reports of fuel tanks leaking. These leaks resulted in six reports of fires including one report of minor burns.

The mowers have 30-inch cutting decks and were sold under Murray, Murray Select, Craftsman and Wizard brand names. The brand name is printed on the front or side of the mowers.

Department and hardware stores, including Sears, Western Auto and Home Depot, sold the mowers nationwide from January 1995 through January 2002 for between $700 and $1,200.

The recalled mid-engine riding mowers have 30-inch cutting decks and the brand names “Murray” and “Yard King” printed on the front. A nameplate under the seat of the mower displays the model number. Models involved in this recall are 309005X10, 309304X8 and 309306X89.

Stores including Home Depot and Western Auto, sold the mid-engine mowers from February 2001 through January 2002 for between $800 and $950. Consumers should stop using these riding mowers immediately and contact their nearest Murray Service Dealer for a free replacement fuel tank, contact Murray at (800) 246-5896 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, or visit www.murray.com. Consumers with Craftsman rear-engine mowers should contact Sears toll-free at (800) 659-7026 anytime.

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