Vehicle Recall: 2008-2009 Volkswagen Passat, Passat Wagon, Tiguan
Volkswagen is recalling 4,000 MY 2008 Passat and MY 2009 Tiguan passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0T FSI ULEV II engines. These vehicles have an engine control module (ECM) containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air conditioning turned on. In rare cases, the ECM may unexpectedly increase engine RPM. An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine RPM may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning.
Travel Warning: Lebanon
This Travel Warning updates information on security threats and ongoing political violence in Lebanon and informs U.S. citizens of current safety and security concerns. The Department of State continues to urge that Americans avoid all travel to Lebanon. Americans who live and work in Lebanon presently should understand that they are accepting risks in remaining and should carefully consider those risks. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued on May 19, 2008.
On May 7, 2008, Hizballah militants blocked the road to Rafiq Hariri International Airport. The action rendered the airport inaccessible and travelers were unable to enter or leave the country via commercial air carriers. Armed Hizballah and other opposition members proceeded to enter areas of Lebanon not traditionally under their control resulting in heavy fighting and a number of casualties. While there is now full access to the airport and widespread hostilities have subsided, the United States is concerned about Hizballah's willingness to use violence to achieve political ends with little or no warning.
Travel Alert: China
This Travel Alert updates U.S. citizens on the effects of the earthquake that struck China’s Sichuan province on May 12. American citizens should avoid the areas of Sichuan province most severely affected by the earthquake and be prepared for travel delays in other parts of the province. Areas outside of Sichuan province are not experiencing earthquake-related damage or delays. This supersedes the Travel Alert dated May 16, 2008, and expires on June 30, 2008.
Cities and towns to the north and northwest of Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, are the areas most seriously damaged by the earthquake. These include Wenchuan County near the earthquake's epicenter, approximately 55 miles northwest of Chengdu, Beichuan, Dujiangyan, Mianzhu, Mianyang, and Maoxian. Rescue and recovery operations in this area are ongoing; infrastructure has been damaged, and road, air and rail transportation disrupted. Aftershocks continue to occur, causing further damage and complicating the significant rescue and recovery efforts now under way.
Travel Alert: Hurricane Season
This Travel Alert is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through November. This Travel Alert expires November 30, 2008.
National Weather Service officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a 65 percent chance that activity during the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above normal this year, forecasting 12 to 16 named storms, with 6 to 9 becoming hurricanes. NOAA recommends that those in hurricane-prone regions begin preparations at this time for the upcoming season.
Lead Exposure Recall: Makit & Bakit Jewelry Sets and Suncatcher Sets - QuinCrafts
Name of product: Makit & Bakit Jewelry Sets and Suncatcher Sets
Units: About 70,000
Importer: QuinCrafts, of Dexter, Mich.
Hazard: The clasps on some of the jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Recall: Remote Control Helicopters - Sold Exclusively at Walgreens - Fire and Burn Hazards
Name of product: “Sky Champion” Wireless Indoor Helicopters
Units: About 152,000
Importer/Distributor: TWIE, also known as Tradewinds International Enterprises Inc., of San Francisco, Calif.
Hazard: The rechargeable battery contained inside the helicopter can catch fire, igniting the helicopter and nearby combustible materials. This poses a burn or fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: TWIE has received two reports of helicopters catching fire. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Recall: Outdoor Benches - Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores - Fall Hazard
Name of product: Best Value Park Benches
Units: About 4,500
Distributor: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, of Hudson, Ohio
Hazard: The benches can become unstable and break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Recall: Electric Candle Warmers - Candlsense by Provo Craft & Novelty - Fire Hazard
Name of product: Candlsense Warmers
Units: About 730,000
Manufacturer: Provo Craft & Novelty Inc., of Spanish Fork, Utah
Hazard: The internal heating element of the candle warmer can detach and melt the bottom of its plastic casing, which can in turn ignite or scorch the surface on which the candle warmer is placed, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Provo Craft has received 11 reports of incidents in which the heating elements detached, including two fires and nine incidents of property scorching. One consumer reported a blistered finger.
Recall: Residential Super-large Gas Dryers - Miele - Risk of Gas Leak or Fire
Name of Product: Residential Super-large Gas Dryers
Units: About 3,100
Importer: Miele Inc., of Princeton, N.J.
Hazard: If the dryer is improperly installed, the dryer’s internal gas fitting can loosen, posing a risk of gas leaking into the house. Any gas leak that is not detected can cause asphyxiation, a fire or an explosion. Also, one or both of the caps on the internal exhaust duct can become dislodged, which can cause lint to build up and be carried through the gas burner. This poses a risk of fire.
Incidents/Injuries: Miele has received 11 reports worldwide in which consumers reported smelling gas after installation of their dryers. The firm has also received a report of a fire causing property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Recall: Toy Cell Phones - Little Tikes Chit ‘N Chat - Choking Hazard
Name of product: Little Tikes Chit ‘N Chat Toy Cell Phones
Units: About 1 million
Manufacturer: Kids Station Toys International Ltd. of Miami, Fla.
Hazard: The hinge cover on the toy cell phone can detach from the phone, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firm have received three reports of the toy breaking, including one report of a child beginning to choke on a small part.