It may not feel much like spring yet, but as the camping season approaches, it’s time to start checking out your equipment to make sure you are ready – and safe. Here are two recalls for camping and beach equipment recently announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Wenzel Co. of St. Louis voluntarily recalled about 290,000 propane-fueled camping lanterns with model names Ozark Trail or Wenzel. An insufficient connection between the lantern and the propane cylinder can allow gas to escape and ignite unexpectedly, posing a potential fire and injury hazard. This hazard can occur during the lighting or normal use of the lantern.

Wenzel has received 12 reports of propane gas escaping from these lanterns and igniting unexpectedly. Two consumers sustained burns to the arm and hand. One of the consumers also suffered burns to the eye. The recalled lanterns are green and silver with brass fittings, have a glass globe, and stand about 9 inches high (without the propane cylinder attached).

The lanterns, when attached to the propane cylinder, sit on a green plastic base on which the model names Ozark Trail or Wenzel appear. The Ozark Trail model has a double cloth mantle for lighting and the Wenzel model has either a double or single cloth mantle. The model names and numbers that appear on the boxes the lanterns came in are Ozark Trail 824927 and 824928, and Wenzel 824208, 824226, 824227 and 824401.

Wal-Mart sold the lanterns nationwide under the Ozark Trail label from March 1999 to August 2001 for about $18. Sporting goods, camping equipment and other retail stores nationwide sold these lanterns under the Wenzel brand from January 1999 through August 2001 for $18 to $28.

Consumers with Ozark Trail or Wenzel lanterns should stop using them immediately and detach the lantern from the propane cylinder.

No problems have been identified with the propane cylinders themselves. Consumers should return only the lanterns to the store where purchased for a refund. Consumers also can call Wenzel toll-free at (800) 325-8368 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday; or visit the company’s Web site at www.wenzelco.com. Consumers with Ozark Trail lanterns also can visit Wal-Mart’s Web site at www.walmartstores.com. Lanterns purchased after Sept. 1, 2001, are not covered by this recall.

Intercon Merchandising Source Inc. of City of Industry, Calif., is recalling about 100,000 Time Out folding mini beach chairs that can be used by both children and adults. The chairs can collapse, posing crush and amputation hazards to consumer’s fingers and toes. In one incident, the tip of a 3-year old girl’s finger was amputated when the chair collapsed.

The recalled mini beach chair was a gift with the purchase of a Time Out cosmetic product at Sears stores. The mini beach chairs are white aluminum with a blue canvas seat and back. The name Time Out is printed on the canvas backrest. Sears stores nationwide distributed the mini beach chairs with the purchase of $20 worth Time Out cosmetics from June through August 2000.

Consumers should stop using these mini beach chairs immediately and contact Intercon for a free repair at (800) 634-0469 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.

COMBAT is looking for spring and summer information-mediation volunteers. Good basic problem solving skills are required, but specific training will be provided for those who qualify. We also are interviewing secretarial and database management volunteers. If you are willing to donate a few hours a week to help your neighbors, call 947-3331 to arrange an appointment.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT/The Maine Center for the Public Interest, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help or to request individual or business membership information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.