Before you tackle your next home repair project, take a
moment to ensure that the products on your shelf are safe to
use. Every year, scores of homeowners and consumers are
injured or killed because they unknowingly use products that
have been recalled by the manufacturer and/or the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Such recall efforts are often
ineffective and go largely unnoticed, until it is too late.
You may search the Internet for instructions on how to
perform your home repair, but do you check to see if the unused
products in your home are still safe? When you buy a new
product, you would hope that the store has removed recalled
products from their shelves. When buying product new to the
market, it is a good idea to search the internet for information
about hazards or problems experienced by other consumers.
Manufacturer recalls are routinely issued through product safety
alerts and recall notices on TV, radio, newspaper and Internet
websites, as well as the CPSC's website. Be proactive about
keeping yourself appraised of product safety issues.
Tile Perfect Stand 'N Seal Tile Grout Sealer is a good
example of a product that can pose a health danger to
consumers. The product was recalled in August 2005 due to
the product's odor not being chemically pungent enough to force
consumers to minimize their exposure to fumes. Individuals who
have suffered from overexposure have sought medical attention
for coughing, irritation, breathing difficulty, dizziness and
disorientation. There are even reports of death from the
product. And while the recalled units were to be pulled from
Home Depot shelves in August 2005, many consumers were able to
purchase the product after the recall date. While this product
has been recalled, many homeowners may still have this product
on their workshop shelves and could sustain serious injuries if
they use the remaining contents. If you have this aerosol
product, do not use it. Return it to the Home Depot, for a full
refund.
Be Proactive and Stay Informed. The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission's (CPSC) website (www.cpsc.gov) provides
information on more than 15,000 types of consumer products that
present unreasonable risks of serious injury and death. They
also list over 4,000 product recalls and recall alerts. Watch
for recall notices in stores such as Home Depot and Lowes to
stay informed. Before you begin your next home repair project
with that unused home repair product, take an extra minute to
protect your health by checking for product recalls.
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