Inspector's Viewpoint |
Winter 2001 - By Dennis R. Robitaille, President Able Home Inspection, Inc. |
Electric Space Heaters Blamed On Fatal Fires:MASSACHUSETTS: Investigators have blamed a rash of fatal fires during this past November on space heaters. A state policeman, his wife and mother-in-law died in a space heater caused fire in Whitman.In Dorchester, two children perished in an early Saturday morning blaze. A Fire department spokesman indicated that a space heater placed too close to a bed caused the fire. In Boston, also during November, an elderly woman died after a space heater caused some bedroom drapes to catch fire.According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 12 percent of residential fires are caused by heating devices. 1997 CPSC data statistics claim 5,400 of the 406,500 fires nationally, were caused by portable heaters. Deaths attributed to space heater caused fires were 130.When using space heaters, the National Institute of Health's Division of Public Safety recommends that people make sure of the following: The space heater should have a multidirectional tip-over switch, which shuts the unit off if it falls. It should have an overheat sensor, which automatiaclly shuts the unit off if it becomes too hot and it must be at least three feet away from other objects. Extension cords should not be used with space heaters. If an extension cord is necessary, be sure the extension cord is a heavy duty type with an amperage rating greater than what the space heater amperage use is. The extension cord must not be run under carpeting. No other electrical items should be plugged into that extension cord.
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Massachusetts State Pesticide Control Act Amended:An Act Protecting Children and Families From Harmful Pesticides was signed into law this past Fall.The legislation targets children and families to prevent unnecessary exposure to pesticides. Some of the highlights of the law include:
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Ask The Inspector:
1. Knowing how to build houses does not necessarily qualify someone to inspect them. Builders sub contract their work out to tradespeople, like electricians and plumbers. Builders do not necessarily have the knowledge of how all the various systems that comprise a home, work. You should also be aware that even architects or engineers are not trained in the specialty of home inspection. |
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Sign Of The Times:If Floridians don't know who they are votting for, maybe the state lottery can help out by developing "quik pic" ballots. The people of Florida have spoken, |
HOME RELATED PRODUCT RECALLS(Pictures and additional info of the recalled productscan be viewed by clicking on the links to the CPSC) CPSC and GE Announce Free Repair Supplement of Rebate Program for Recalled Dishwashers: Recalled Units Still Being Used, Creating Risk of Fire: WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), General Electric Appliances Co., of Louisville, Ky., is voluntarily offering a free repair option in the form of a rewiring for its recalled GE and Hotpoint dishwashers. With the free rewire option, a GE-authorized technician will rewire the slide switch at no cost to consumers. This supplements the original rebate program announced October 19, 1999. The dishwashers have a slide switch that can melt and ignite, presenting a fire hazard. CPSC is aware of approximately 90 incidents associated with these dishwashers. GE manufactured 3.1 million of these dishwashers between 1983 and 1989. CPSC, Cooper Lighting Announce Recall of Recessed Lights WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cooper Lighting, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., is recalling about 34,000 recessed lights. The glass ring exterior portion or trim of these lights can fall from the fixture, posing a risk of lacerations and impact injuries. Cooper Lighting has received four reports of glass rings falling from these light fixtures. In two incidents, consumers were hit on the head causing lacerations and bumps. CPSC, Power Strips/Extension Cords - PRODUCT: Power Strips/Extension Cords - The Howard Berger Co. Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 17,500 power strips and about 10,000 extension cords. The power strips have a 2-prong plug with a plastic base containing 6 outlets and are not labeled. The extension cords are about 6 feet long with a 2-prong plug and are not labeled. The extension cords sold for less than $1 and the power strips sold for about $2. Both were made in China. Discount stores in the eastern United States and Puerto Rico sold these products from September 1998 to September 2000. PROBLEM: The power strips have undersized wires, lack over-current protection and grounding, and the plastic case is flammable. The extension cords have undersized wires and lack over-current protection. Both the power strips and the extension cords can overheat, presenting electrocution, shock and fire hazards.GBC ShedmasterŪ Paper Shredder In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, General Binding Corporation ("GBC") of Northbrook, Illinois, is recalling approximately 3,000 GBC ShredmasterŪ 75X-2 paper shredders. The 75X-2 paper shredders do not have a protective shield to guard against exposure to the cutting blades. Users could lift one side of a 75X-2 paper shredder while it is running and touch the cutting blades. GBC is not aware of any injuries involving the 75X-2 paper shredders. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries. |
New Web Page Feature!Each month a photo will be posted to the Able Home Inspection web siteshowing an interesting aspect of something found at a home inspection. Be sure to check out the two photos now up on the site. November 2000: Basement Asbestos ContaminationDecember 2000: Garage Foundation Failure |
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Dennis Robitaille
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