Recall Date: July 10, 2014
Recall Number: 14-228

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Power adaptor/chargers (promotional giveaway)

Hazard: The adaptors can overheat, posing a burn hazard.

Read full recall report at CPSC

Recall Date: July 10, 2014
Recall Number: 14-226

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Charging Kits

Hazard: The wall charger can overheat and emit smoke and sparks, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.  The prongs on the charger can detach and remain in the electrical outlet, posing a risk of electrical shock.

Read full recall report at CPSC

U.S. Fire Administration

Electricity is a basic part of residential life in the U.S.  It provides the energy for most powered items in a contemporary home, from lights to heating systems to television.  Today it is hard to imagine a residence without electricity.  It a part of our homes and our activities that most of us take for granted.  We rarely think how powerful electricity is.

Yet, using electricity can have dangerous consequences.  Electrical fires occur frequently throughout the U.S., causing injury, claiming lives, and resulting in large losses of property. From 2009 to 2011, an estimated 25,900 residential building electrical fires were reported by U.S. fire departments annually.

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In the new issue of NFPA Journal®, President Jim Shannon said the Association will focus on the leading causes of home fires, including cooking. "We also need to continue to push hard for home fire sprinklers. That's still a large priority for NFPA, and we plan to work very aggressively in 2014 on our residential sprinkler initiative," he said.

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Electrolux dryers are dangerously vulnerable to catching fire, according to complaints, consumer reports, and recent lawsuits.  Allegedly, some electric and gas models of Electrolux dryers contain a defect that allows lint to build up in areas unserviceable to owners and close to a heat source, posing a heightened risk of fire.  At least one previous lawsuit also points to a possible bearing failure that causes the drum to move and make contact with the rear heating element, creating sparks which may light lint and other flammable objects.

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OnlineFireScienceDegree.org has just published a collection of their favorite fire investigation sites and the California Conference of Arson Investigators is listed: http://onlinefiresciencedegree.org/fire-investigation/.

This site has loads of information and resources for education in the field of fire investigations.